08/30/2021 Myanmar (International Christian Concern) –  On August 28, church leaders from Falam area in Chin state gathered and had worship service to re-consecrate their church building in Tal Village. More than 40 church leaders took part in the re-consecration worship service.

Since the Tatmadaw (Burmese Army) seized power in February, the tension between the Tatmadaw and local militant groups has intensified. Heavy artillery from the Tamadaw is getting closer to where civilians live, forcing all the villagers to run and hide in the nearby forest. Soon, the soldiers from Tatmadaw descended on the village and chose to camp in the church.

In Christian-majority Chin state, a church is highly respected by local people and the armed groups. They will not allow any bad thing to happen there and see it as a safe haven where they are able to rest safely at night. However, the Tatmadaw soldiers used the building without any regard and did disgraceful things such as leaving trash and leftover food behind in the building, throwing away Bibles and hymn books or using them for different purposes while they were sheltering in the building.

These soldiers camped twice at this church. Given that the church was treated far beyond its dignity and could no longer be used for its purpose, after the Tatmadaw left, the church decided to re-dedicate this church. All the congregants and Christians from nearby gathered to clean up the church and conduct a re-consecration ceremony. Christians in the area felt that their place of worship was insulted terribly as well as themselves, so they not only needed to cleanse physically but spiritually as well.

Rev. Dr. Joe Eh Zar Lai said to Zalen local media that this kind of event does not only happen in Tal village or merely in a Baptist Church. “All of us got hurt and that’s why many of us from various church denominations gathered here,” he said.  Falam ministerial council and Institute of Chin Affairs already released a statement condemning these soldiers’ action in a religious building.

For interviews, please contact Addison Parker: [email protected].