After coup, 4 million+ Christians in Myanmar brace for the worst

Min Naing, another Open Doors partner, shares that since the coup, many people could not participate in online worship. “People were disturbed by the screams and protests of the arrests,” he says. “I am also disturbed because I see with my eyes that people are being arrested.”

Local partner Daisy tells us that while many churches in major cities like Yangon and Mandalay have temporarily stopped all physical and online meetings, services continue in the remote areas of the Naga Hills.

“Churches in Kayah State have stopped meeting for fellowship at night because of curfew restrictions,” she says. “Since the military coup, the church has closed their children’s fellowship, as naturally, children weren’t allowed to go outside.”

Getting information to others is becoming more difficult, she says, adding that pastors are struggling to inform and reach out to their church. In many of the same ways, the coup is creating the same economic and food challenges for pastors and already-marginalized believers as the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Now, as the believers are staying home, people don’t have work, businessmen are also home, so the tithe and donations in the church are also decreasing,” Daisy explains. “Since, the people are now home, the real economic hardship will start.”

There’s also a reluctance to communicate via phone calls due to security risks. Due to the night curfew, the church’s evening services have been halted because there is “fear in the minds of the people,” Daisy says.

Pastor Thura* from Bago Division in the south-central region tells us: “Everyone is scared. I was worshiping with only a few people, but I am afraid that the authorities would come and stop the worship.”

Despite these fears, God’s work is continuing. “We are becoming more and more careful,” Daisy says. Open Doors’ partners like her and Min Naing are offering a weekly online Bible study for pastors from remote areas. “Connection isn’t always stable, but we press on.”

Open Doors’ Vermeer says believers are adjusting to the new reality: “With increasing restrictions—both online and offline, with internet blackouts and night curfews—believers are finding different ways to be salt and light at this time and to continue encouraging one another.”

‘I dare not imagine’

The pastors Open Doors has spoken to still remember what the country was like under military rule in the twentieth century. The time was marked by brutal atrocities and human rights abuses.

Pastor Ko Ko Thun*, an elderly pastor, tells Open Doors: “When I recall the previous military junta, I become so angry and upset that I want to vomit.”

“When I was still a student, I remember them checking me and my friends’ identity cards and making us stand under the rain. They also confiscated our books. Once, we carried our own rice to cook in our hostel, and the soldiers accused us of supplying rice to the insurgent groups and detained us.”

“There are many things I can share,” Ko Ko Thun continues. “When I think deeply, if the military is going to rule over us again—I cannot, I dare not imagine—my tears can’t stop.”

Pastor Zay from Rakhine State says: “It feels like our hope has been taken away. Our dreams, hopes, vision and freedom are taken away. Our lifetime has been full of grief, fear and trouble under the military regime. People are suffering because of the war. Job opportunities are also difficult at the moment, and we are depressed by the military coup because we had hoped for a ceasefire.”

‘The churches are praying’

Open Doors’ Vermeer urges prayer for Myanmar and the believers there: “As instability grows in Myanmar, so does our need to pray,” he says. “While our partners do their best to respond on the ground, let’s trust God to be their strength and shield. Our prayers go where we cannot.”

As connectivity becomes slightly more reliable, reports from Open Doors’ local church contacts have been trickling in. “Pastors are admonishing their members to pray and intercede for the country in their homes,” Daisy shares. “In less restricted areas, some pastors and believers have gathered for prayer meetings in their churches.

Pastor Philemon* told Peter*, an Open Doors partner and Persecution Preparedness training facilitator, “During this military coup, and with protests going on in the country, I encourage my church members to follow what we have learned in persecution preparedness training—that is, not to render evil with evil, but to do good to those who persecute us. And I have requested my church members to not join the public protests.”

Maung* a pastor from Mandalay says: “The churches are praying. We are calm but scared at the same time.”

Top photo: Chin refugees (a Christian minority community from Myanmar) shout slogans as the mock coffins of Commander in chief, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set on fire during a protest against military coup in Myanmar, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. Photo by Anshuman Akash/Abaca/Sipa USA (Sipa via AP Images)