Tuesday 06 Aug
Scott shares about a collaborative opportunity to stand with the people of Myanmar.
Since the military junta staged a coup and took over government in Myanmar in 2021, the situation has continued to escalate with no end to violence, an increase in aerial bombings, no respect for basic human rights and significant, widespread displacement.
Despite disappearing from our daily news reports, the situation in Myanmar has worsened in recent months and according to the UN, there are approximately 2.65million internally displaced people living or hiding in the jungle in Myanmar and a further 1.15million people seeking asylum or in refugee camps in the countries surrounding Myanmar. Funds are desperately needed for education, medical supplies, food, water and clothing.
Beyond the big numbers, I see individuals. People in desperate need that I have met on the Thai and Indian borders on recent visits. People with their own personal stories of pain. People who despite all they face inspire with me their resilience and faith. People who humbly, but passionately, said to me:
“Scott, please don’t forget us or our needs!”.
Stand with Myanmar is an Australian Baptists campaign to advocate, pray for and raise funds for the people of Myanmar. It’s a declaration that we haven’t, that we won’t forget the people of Myanmar – some of the most vulnerable people on the planet today!
Explore resources and find out more via the full Stand with Myanmar website >>
There are many people groups from Myanmar represented in our Baptist movement across Australia. For them, this crisis and the continued persecution against their people hits very close to home. I was reminded of that last weekend when I spoke at the Kachin Baptist Fellowship in Melbourne.
The Stand with Myanmar campaign brings together Baptist Mission Australia and Baptist World Aid Australia, partnering together with State Associations and local Baptist churches throughout Australia. The 2024 initiative builds on the Stand with Myanmar appeal that Baptist Mission Australia ran in 2023 with the Baptist Union of Victoria. By involving our wider Baptist movement, we can do more together! We all have a role to play, so please join us!
The campaign will run from August 18 - September 15, 2024, with churches encouraged to host a Myanmar Sunday between these dates if possible. If this timeframe doesn’t work for church calendars, we are encouraging churches to still plan a Myanmar Sunday or participate in some way before the end of the year. You can find out more at this special website that has been developed to support the campaign:
www.standwithmyanmar.com.au
Please join Baptist Mission Australia, sister national agencies and local churches as together we act, pray and give for Myanmar.
Act: We know that advocacy works.
In February 2024, we saw the Australian Government act on behalf of the people of Myanmar. And this action was championed and called for by advocates across Australia – including many Baptist people. There’s still much to be done. At the campaign website you add your voice to our petition, calling on Senator Penny Wong to undertake new and important actions for further breakthrough.
Pray: We know that prayer works.
There is so much we can be praying for as we stand alongside the people in Myanmar, the border regions and our Burmese churches in Australia. God’s heart breaks for the oppressed and we are invited to cry out to God for those in need. Please join with us in prayer.
Give: We know the difference generosity makes!
Your generous financial support will make a tangible difference for vulnerable people in Myanmar and border areas. Tax deductible gifts will go towards vital support including humanitarian relief, support for children and schools, and income generating skills training. Non-tax-deductible gifts will go towards faith-based support including trauma training for pastors, leadership training and church planting.
Please give today and help bring love and hope in action!
You can use this
campaign video in your church, small group, ministry team and with friends to share more about the Stand with Myanmar campaign:
www.vimeo.com/984647342/c4c99c0186
You can also access
other helpful
prayer, advocacy and giving resources here:
www.standwithmyanmar.com.au/resources
Now is the time for us to be seen and heard – as we proactively stand with the people of Myanmar, modelling the just ways of Jesus and the loving heart of our compassionate God.
Please join me. Please join with Baptists across Australia. Please stand with the people of Myanmar!
Thank you for your partnership.
Grace and peace.
Scott
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