Despite poverty, Myanmar school “trains the trainers”
Founded in 1995, Myanmar Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (MEGST) in Yangon says they train the trainers of the Myanmar Church. About 65 percent of the interdenominational school’s 138 graduates serve as Principals, Deans and Faculty in various Bible schools in every corner of the country. The rest serve as local missionaries; heads of denominations and mission organizations; and mercy ministry workers in orphanages, community development and literature distribution.
Myanmar, also known as Burma, is one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia and the world. With poverty and government corruption very common, the local churches have a great need for mercy ministries and more evangelists, pastors, church planters and teachers. Through their annual Principals/Deans’ Seminar, MEGST works to advance these leaders representing more than 30 institutions.
Besides excellent theological training, students complete practical ministries where they are mobilized to serve the poor. Contextualization is crucial for MEGST – contextualized books are strongly needed as most of MEGST’s library materials are written by Western authors. Availability of Christian texts is another issue as authorities confiscate and burn Christian books in Yangon.
In partnership with OC partner Asia Graduate School of Theology (AGST) in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, MEGST now offers Master of Theology and Doctor of Ministry programs in the Myanmar context, in addition to the Master of Arts and Master of Divinity.
Master of Divinity graduate D. Nelly Htu Shan serves as the Academic Dean of Shan Regional Evangelical Bible Institute in Shan State, the East central region of Myanmar. “My time at MEGST was a turning point for my life. I was equipped to be competent and passionate in my ministry,” she says. “What I learned from MEGST has been applicable and helpful in my teaching ministry…Now I have been equipping students who dedicate their lives for God’s ministry in their respective localities.”
