On 28 October 2023, Zion Church of the Nazarene in Hwambi dedicated its new church building, built thanks to Alabaster funds. This local church was organized in July 2020 and is one of three churches in the Myanmar Southern District.

Pastor Jacob* has been pastoring Zion church, and during the dedication day, he was officially assigned as senior pastor. Pastor Jacob is a pastor’s kid, and his father planted and pastored a church in a village called Minla in Tahan City, Myanmar. 

Pastor Jacob graduated from Southeast Nazarene Bible College (now Chapman International College) in Yangon. After completing his Master of Divinity Degree from Madras World Bible College in India in 2011, he returned to Yangon. He says God showed him a small village called Mi Aung Thaga near Yangon, and he felt the Lord was giving him a vision to serve the orphans near the area and plant a church for them. 

This area has many Rohingya refugees, and about 70 people are gathering to worship in the church. Recently, the church opened a Chapman International College (CIC) extension center to train and equip the youths in the Myanmar Southern District.

About 200 people gathered during the dedication service. Myanmar Southern District Superintendent Rama, Northern District Assistant Superintendent Mafinga, and CIC Principal Vula were also present on this special occasion. Field Strategy Coordinator Bill Kwon shared the message to encourage the people to stand as the church is built on the rock (Matthew 16:18).

Pastor Jacob and the congregation have emphasized that the church is not about the building itself but about being the Body of Christ. They also understand this building can be a blessing to their people. The building project was made possible through Pastor Jacob’s donation of the land, and the church received funding for the building through the Alabaster Offering. 

They pray that the church building will be a venue for more ministry opportunities to serve the community in various ways.

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific
*Full name omitted for privacy