A brief history and growth of the Kachin Baptist Church: An analysis in light of contemporary missiological principles

The Kachins Jinghpaw Wunpawng sha ni have become the most popular ethnic group since the centennial celebration in 1977. Many firmly believe that God has blessed them through jade business for their faithfulness. Their religious traditional belief in Hpan Wa Ningsang Chye Wa Ningchyang One who creates, One who knows, had been an early factor that prepared them for Christianity.; The Kachin Baptist Church emerged out of the selfless commitment of the American missionaries and the Karen pioneer missionary partners who are culturally quite different and yet whose traditional concepts and life style are quite similar to the Kachins. Due to their inspiring evangelistic message, the baptism of seven people formally originated the Kachin Baptist Church.; The significant factors that facilitate the growth and maturity of the church are the awareness of the need for transformational change, education, literature, evangelism, the participation of the Karen missionaries, and finally the leadership of the Kachins themselves.; Like the Karens, the Kachin Baptist Church has been engaged in an evangelistic outreach among the Kachins residing in Yunan, China since their golden jubilee in 1927. A similar outreach was started among the Palawngs and Nagas in the 1950s.; The baptism of 6,214 new converts during the centennial celebration in 1977 was a monumental mark for the Kachins and for the Baptist world. The unforgettable mission campaign, called "300 for 3 years mission," was created and carried out joyfully in gratitude for God's providential care, and its results are immeasurable.; To the Kachins, history and traditions are of great importance due to the cohesiveness of the kinship system. By representing historical factors of growth in mission and of anthropological contributions, I believe that their worldview in cross-cultural communication of the gospel will surely enhance their insights to evangelize their own people and the Buddhists as they move into the second century.