Scripture Reference
Selected Scriptures
Date
22/03/2026
Writer
Rev Biak Lawm Thang
Snippet
“…the possibility of starting an orphanage or children ministry in Myanmar…”
Reading Time
~7 min read
Dear Bethelites,
Below is an email written by Rev Biak, following a discussion with Bethel’s missions’ team regarding the possibility of starting an orphanage or children ministry in Myanmar. Please commit this matter to prayer.
In Christ,
Pastor Paul Cheng
[Email sent by Rev Biak on the 18th March 2026]
- Biblical Basis
- The divine mandate for children ministry is abundant in Scripture. It does not come from a single passage, but is found in a good number of passages where we are taught to bring up our children in the way of the Lord. Proverbs 22:6, for example, says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (cf Deut 6:4-9; Eph 6:4; 2 Tim 3:15). While the primary application of these passages are for parents to their own children, it certainly extends to any children who may come into our contact. The scripture passages that directly address the need to take care of the poor and needy children include Deut 10:18; Ps 82:3; Isai 1:17; Jer 22:3; Matt 18:5; 25:40; Lk 14:13-14; Jas 1:27. In short, we have an abundant teaching from God’s Word on children ministry.
- If, by God’s grace, we are actually able to start this ministry, it is our conviction that it must be one of the ministries of the church, in contradiction to a para-organization or “private” ministry where in many cases accountability is lacking. This means the children ministry will be under the administration First BPC, being one of its various ministries.
- Need
- It is our conviction that starting a children ministry (not necessarily an orphanage) is a worthy cause and a pressing need, and, as it were, “a call of the time” in view of the unprecedented political situation that has caused untold complications, especially for the children. (Please remember at this point that to resume the Bible College at the present situation is not possible.)
- Due to the political situation that started in 2021, many children have become orphans, disadvantaged, displaced, homeless etc, literally losing their future. Totally outside their choice, they have come into a situation where they are in great need of proper care and upbringing, both spiritually and physically. There are many children in war zones, including those from Ngalti BPC, whose future, from a human point of view, is hopeless.
- Objective
- As a church, our primary concern is the spiritual aspect, aiming at their salvation and spiritual growth by providing proper and systematic teaching of God’s Word and discipline. Our commitment and objective is to try our best to bring the children into a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and to help them grow spiritually as they grow physically. This is where Scripture passages, among others, like Proverbs 22:6 comes in: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. By giving proper and systematic teaching of God’s Word, ie, taking care of their spiritual foundation, during their formative years, we can also help them in other areas of life – discipline, morality, education, and other skills etc so that one day they may become good Christians and good citizens as well.
- Burden and God’s Leading
- In fact, since many years ago, God laid a burden in our hearts regarding children ministry. It has never gone away but kept staying in our hearts. However, we have never made any mention of it before, because we had to focus on the other ministries that God has already given us, like the literature ministries and the Bible College etc.
- As you are all aware, the Bible College had to go for a recess in 2024, due to the complications of the ongoing political situation (such as the military conscription of young people from the age of 18 to 35). At the present hour, the possibility of resuming Bible College remains an uncertainty.
- The situation for the children ministry is different. Children under age 18 are free from the issues mentioned above. Is this not God’s providential leading that we should do something about helping the young ones, leading us to another opened door? We are fully convinced that it would indeed be a God-glorifying endeavor, if, by His grace, we are able to bring the young ones into the saving knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and help them get a strong spiritual foundation during their formative years.
- It was since last year, 2025, that we actually started praying about this ministry, seeking His will and leading.
- Since then, we have met several times to discuss its possibility. Along the way, our burden and conviction can only grow, as the need is pressing and God’s leading seems more and more evidential.
- Part of this is that one of our preachers, Pr Van Bawi Hu, is willing to take up this ministry, being convinced of the Lord’s call and leading. This we deem as an important factor that fits into our seeking of the Lord’s will.
- In a tentative manner, we have some people who have indicated their willingness to send their children to us.
- House rental for this ministry is possible. There is one pastor friend who offers his house to rent out to us. Though the suitability of this house for the intended ministry remains to be assessed and confirmed (it is a bit small), we are thankful that he has the heart to offer it to us.
- We have met and discussed with some pastor friends, who have experiences in the same ministry, on the possibility of getting a government registration. We have found out that it will be possible for the children ministry to register officially with certain conditions which seem feasible. Furthermore, there is a possibility, under God’s guidance, that a registered entity of ministry may bring some benefits for the church as well. (Please note that thus far it is not possible for any church [purely religious organization] to get registration in Myanmar.)
- Inauguration and Initial Stage
- With regard to when to start this ministry, what we have in mind is that, if possible, it should be started by this coming May, 2026, before school term starts in June.
- For the initial stage, it may be advisable to start with a humble beginning. Probably 10-15 children, between age 5 and 18, may be a good start-up. This also means that the church will be responsible until the children reach the age of accountability, ie, age 18, except for some unforeseen exceptional cases.
- Another point of note is that, since children ministry may involve many unforeseeable but possible circumstances and complexities (although we do not want it to happen, yet issues like sickness, accident, and in the worst case, death etc may happen), the parents or guardians or people concerned must agree in advance that whatever may happen with their children while under the church’s care they will completely trust the church and will not make any trouble in any way.
- Financial Aspect
- We understand that starting a children ministry like this will inevitably place additional financial burden on the church. At the same time, we believe that here’s where we as a church must pray earnestly and make our commitment for the Lord’s work.
- As mentioned in one of the previous emails, an estimated cost for one child per month is around AUD 50. This amount is estimated to cover some basic daily necessities, such as meals, clothes, school, soaps, toothbrushes and toothpastes etc.
- With regard to rental, the estimated cost per month is between AUD 500 and 1,000.
- In addition to the regular monthly need mentioned above, there will be some one-time needs – such as: (1) transportation funds for bringing in the children from other places to Yangon, (2) admission to school, (3) Bibles and books, (4) furniture – chairs and tables etc (5) beds and beddings, (6) simple and affordable private cupboards/lockers etc. The estimate for these remains to be worked out.
- In addition, (1) one staff member to help in the daily activities of the children (such as cooking, and helping in other areas of need) will have to be taken; and (2) one part-time school teacher (like 1-2 hours a day) will have to be hired to give additional tuition to the children at home (this is a normal practice in Myanmar when children are not good in their education).
We believe starting a children ministry is a worthy cause, God-honoring and God-glorifying, and we are seeing some indications of God’s leading along the way thus far. It is our sincere request that Bethel BPC would give serious consideration on this, as we wait for your further advice.
With love in Christ,
Rev Biak
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