The Federation of Lutheran Churches in Myanmar (FLCM) member churches hosted a special worship service, symposium and common meal to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in the country. The FLCM was established in 2013 with a goal to foster closer relations between the Lutheran churches in their witness, diaconal action, theological study and training of […]

The Federation of Lutheran Churches in Myanmar (FLCM) member churches hosted a special worship service, symposium and common meal to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in the country. The FLCM was established in 2013 with a goal to foster closer relations between the Lutheran churches in their witness, diaconal action, theological study and training of ministers.

Leaders of the FLCM presided at the 21 October event, held in the largest city Yangon, during which prayers were offered for peace, reconciliation and freedom of all religions in the country. The more than 200 participants included leaders of Anglican, Baptist, Evangelical, Independent, Methodist, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic churches, the Myanmar Council of Churches and the regional Mekong Mission Forum (MMF).

The FLCM member church leaders Rev. Martin Lal Thangliana, Lutheran Church of Myanmar; Rev. Satu Ve-U, Mara Evangelical Church; Rev. Dr Andrew Rajan Jenson, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Myanmar-Lutheran Bethlehem Church; and Bishop Dr Andrew Mang Lone, Myanmar Lutheran Church, presided together at the service.

In his sermon, Rev. Dr Philip Baker, Asian region representative of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which partners with the FLCM, said Luther’s contribution 500 years ago was to rediscover and reclaim the fact that Christ came to the world from God.

“It is this action of God in Jesus Christ which we commemorate in the 500th anniversary,” of the movement to reform the church that began in Wittenberg, Germany. “Over and above these things, it is this action of God in Jesus Christ which calls us, empowers us, and sends us.”

Baker said Christians are sent out into the world today to be the hands, eyes and ears through which God works irrespective of the countries they live in. “God is not dead. God is alive! God lives in and through the people of God and sends us into God’s world to be people of reconciliation, healing and making all things new,” he emphasized.

At the symposium, Rev. Dr Jan Depner Martin, interim pastor of the German-language Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hong Kong, presented a paper on the Reformation, and reminded the gathering that to be Lutheran is to be ecumenical.

Our leaders have seen the importance of being united to promote God’s work and the ministry of the church in Myanmar through the FLCM.

Reprinted with kind permission of The Lutheran World Federation. Visit the website to find out more about The Lutheran World Federation.

Many of our partner churches are working in new territory for the kingdom of God; therefore, spiritual attack is their everyday reality. As a member of a congregation, school, or family, or a couple or individual, you are invited to commit to praying for our partners in mission. For regular prayer point updates, go to www.lca.org.au/international-mission/act-now/pray

Read more stories about our partner churches in Myanmar at https://www.lcamission.org.au/category/stories/international-partners/myanmar/