One of the Diaspora Network's key values is prayer and fasting. We believe one of the most important and renewing gifts the immigrant church brings to North America is a deep commitment to prayer and fasting. We want to invite the broader Church to join in on what God is doing, and so each week as a network we pray with and for a specific group in diaspora. We often highlight a leader and church of specific diaspora group here on this blog and share how they have invited us to pray with and for them. All are invited to participate every Friday over Zoom (10-10:30 am CST). Click the link below to join us!
The Zomi are one of the 135 ethnic minority groups from Myanmar (Burma), and they are the second largest Burmese diaspora group in the U.S. The women singing in the video are from Agape Zomi Missionary Church in Houston, TX.
The largest concentration of Zomi Burmese in the U.S. is in Tulsa, Oklahoma (affectionately called “Zomi Town”). Between 7,000-9,000 Zomi live in the greater Tulsa area.
Zomi immigration started around the 1970s when Rev. Chin Do Kham and other Zomi Burmese began their studies at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa. Immigration to the area increased significantly from the 1990s-2000s.
Organizations like Zomi Innkuan USA (ZIUSA) promote and advocate for the preservation of the culture and rights of the Zomi Burmese community in the U.S.
When challenging a New York congregation on mission and prayer, the late Rev. Dr. Chin Do Kham (a Zomi Burmese pastor, scholar, and theologian) said this:
“Today, the mission [field] is not about crossing the sea, but seeing the cross [and] seeing every person through the eyes of God. When you see a Muslim, or someone who is Jewish or Buddhist, or a refugee, do you see a human person created in the image of God, for whom Jesus died and rose again?”
Austin churches:
Zomi Christian Church (Pastor Syama Dim)
Houston Churches:
Agape Zomi Mission Church - (Rev. Kai Sian Mang)
Zomi Emmanuel Church
Click here to see a directory of Zomi (Baptist) churches around the country. Check to see if there’s one in your city!
Prayer Points:
Gratitude: gift for prayer, remaining steadfast in faith, and extraordinary kindness towards others, especially other strangers and foreigners who are struggling.
Multiplication: for Zomi Burmese churches to grow in number in Austin and in Houston and across the country. May the Lord multiply the work of pastors like Pastor Mary Cing at Agape Zomi and Pastor Syama at Zomi Christian!
Next Gen: for youth/young adults to grow in their love for Jesus over material possessions
Mutuality: for non-immigrant churches in Houston and Austin to develop relationships with and receive the gifts of Zomi Christians
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