Burmese
Our hearts ache for the people of Burma, enduring unimaginable suffering and deprivation in the wake of the recent, devastating cyclone. Yet even before the immensity of the current tragedy, these people have staggered, voiceless, under the weight of their oppressive military government. The images in the news remain impossible to forget. Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched in the city of Yangoon, led by processions of Buddhist monks seeking change, only to have government soldiers deepen the maroon of their robes with their own blood. Force and fear remain at the forefront. Please pray that the political events will lead the millions of desolate Burmese to seek answers from the God who is their Creator and Savior.The Burmese not only suffer from political oppression, they also suffer in spiritual darkness. When it comes to the spread of Christianity in this country, the statistics can reveal many contrasting pictures. As far as numbers are concerned, we can rejoice in the approximately 20,000 Seventh-day Adventist Church members. However, if we think about unreached people and ethnic groups we discover another story. Most church members are among certain hill tribes. In fact there are only about 100 actual Burmese Seventh-day Adventist members. Burmese are the largest ethnic group in Myanmar, comprising 35 million people. Only 0.1% of those are Christians and at least 55% have never had a chance to hear the gospel story. Beyond that group, there are more than 35 ethnicities that are considered "Buddhist" in this country of incredible diversity (Peoples of the Buddhist World, Paul Hattaway). Now THAT is cause for prayer and action! Pray that ASAP will have the opportunity and the funds to perform a mighty evangelistic work in this country.
The Lord put it on the hearts of the ASAP board members to include Myanmar in ASAP’s mission statement, a first step in faith towards getting involved in reaching this country for Christ. How exciting to be assured that God will miraculously open the doors for the gospel to spread in a greater way in Myanmar before He comes.
Country Data
| Population | 47,758,181 | |
| Below Poverty Line | 32.7% | |
| Religions | Buddhist 89%, Christian 4%, Muslim 4%, animist 1%, other 2% | |
| Average Age |
27.8 |