The History Of The Calvary Burmese Church (1997-2023)
Brief Initial History
Around 1990, there was no Burmese church in Washington, DC. A few Burmese believers, such as Uncle U Kyin Oo’s family from Myanmar, Sayama Daw Yin Hla’s family, Aunty Lu Lu and her husband, and Daw Ah Nan, joined Calvary Baptist Church as members. They had been living in the Washington DC area since then. In 1991, Reverend Harry Ann invited Auntie Doreen and her three daughters to join Calvary Baptist Church. Later, more Burmese believers joined the church, including Naw Hla Kyi, Roland Maung, Lian Kam family, Khai Cin Pau and his wife, Hungh Pu, Mang Cung, Cing Thian, Pa Hre, Mang Khawm Pau, and Man Khan Dim. As a result, the Burmese membership of Calvary Baptist Church gradually increased.
As the number of Burmese members increased and more were expected to join in the future, Rev. Ang, the assistant pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, suggested establishing a congregation that worships in the Burmese language to the Baptist headquarters, Valley Forge, every time he attended a meeting. He proposed the idea to the Mission Board of Calvary Baptist Church, and after several discussions, they decided to start a Burmese Outreach Mission through the Candal Fund program. They invited Rev. Maran Yaw from Burma to lead the Burmese Outreach Mission, but he could not come because the American Embassy did not grant him a visa. However, later, with the family petition of his daughter Seng Nan Oo, he arrived in December 1996.
With the help and arrangement of Rev. Dr. Lynn Bergfalk, the Senior Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church at that time, Rev. Maran Yaw started a Bible study program in Burmese every Sunday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. after he arrived in December 1996. On February 2, 1997, the group that would become the Calvary Burmese Church held its first worship service at Calvary Baptist Church’s Woodward Hall. The group was named Calvary Burmese Christian Fellowship.
The following people attended the first worship service:
- Rev. Maran Yaw Sayama
- Pr. Naomi Kam (First Secretary)
- Aunty Doreen
- Lian Kam
- Thang Thuk
- Hka Tawm Maran
- Roland Maung (First Chairman)
- Kyin Oo
- Mang Cung
- Aunty Thein(Mrs. Kyin Oo)
- Khai Cin Pau (Khaipui)
- Myo Oo
- Lian Niang Pau (Mrs. Khaipui)
- Seng Nan Oo
- Hungh Khan Cin (brother of Ko Khaipui)
- Daniel
- Ivana Cingthian Pau (sister of Ko Khaipui)
- Kyaw Win
- Naw Hla Kyi
- Lasi Latt
- Lina Chan (Naw Hla Kyi’s friend)
- Ohn Mar
- Mang Khawm Pau
- Hkawn Shaung
- Man Khan Dim (Mansen)
- Betty Khin (Pianist)
- Htay Oo & family
At first, the worship service was held only once a month. Rev. Maran Yaw led a regular Bible study before the worship service began. After about six months, the worship service increased to twice a month, and eventually to every Sunday.
Christian Education Department (Sunday School)
In 1998, a year after the first worship service, John Teller from the mother church, Calvary Baptist Church, helped to start the Sunday School program. The first two students were Daniel and Thang Thuk, and Naw Hla Kyi was the first Sunday School teacher.
The Sunday School department, which began with two students and one teacher in 1998, has become a Christian Education department that teaches God’s spiritual study systematically as it celebrates the 26th anniversary. Today, the Sunday School department teaches not only in person at the church, but also via Zoom. It has 89 students, including five from Burma and 18 from outside Calvary Burmese Church in the United States. The department has 15 teachers.
Women Fellowship
The women’s fellowship group was formed in the first week of April 2000 at the Virginia home of Aunty Doreen and Pastor Hkawn Ja Nahpaw, under the leadership of Pastor Naomi Kam. Aunty Cho Mar was the first president of the women’s fellowship, and the group held worship programs at homes every other week. God blessed and used the women’s fellowship group in many ways. When the church celebrated its 26th anniversary, the group had sent scholarships to many Bible students. The group also supported the widows of ministers and unmarried senior female ministers financially. In 2022, 88 students supported by the women’s fellowship graduated from theology schools. In 2010, the group started by supporting five widows with $100 per year, and in 2022, God used them to support 27 widows and five senior female ministers with $200 per year.
The women’s fellowship organized and started the “Bible Teaching for Everyone” program in 2018, led by Rev. Awi Khawmhuai Tunngo. The program held monthly Bible discussions with many believers from inside and outside the church and from Myanmar. The program grew from 17 participants in 2018 to 25 participants in 2023. The program attracted not only women, but also many men and young people.
Rev. Jeffery Saw
When Pastor U Maran Yaw retired from full-time ministry in 2000, a pastor searching committee was formed with five members: (1) Roland Maung, (2) Lian Kam, (3) Khai Cin Pau, (4) Pr. Hkawn Ja, and (5) Hka Tawm Maran. They searched for a new pastor while Rev. Jeffrey Saw served as Interim Pastor. Rev. Jeffrey Saw came from Australia in August 2000 through the connection of Naw Hla Kyi and the invitation of the Pastor Searching Committee. He served for one year until August 2001.
Youth Fellowship
In 2000, under the leadership of Pastor Jeffrey Saw, the church formed an active youth fellowship group with the church’s youth. The group started to participate in the church’s praise and worship program. In 2011, the church appointed Peter Lwin as a youth pastor. The group gradually had more fellowship with other church youth groups from other states, and in 2019, they visited Australia for the first time and had fellowship with some churches there. The Calvary Youth Fellowship Group continues to strive to be the light of Christ and reveal God’s glory.
Rev. Dr. Saw Ler Htoo
The 5-member Pastor searching committee led by Roland Maung, with the help of Rev. Saw Makay Gyi, decided to recruit Reverend Saw Ler Htoo who was assistant pastor of Judson Karen Baptist Church of Myanmar. By God’s grace, Rev. Saw Ler Htoo arrived in August 2001 at the call of the Calvary Baptist Church, and dedicated himself to serving God as a full-time pastor. After the arrival of Rev. Saw Ler Htoo, the group’s name was changed from Calvary Burmese Christian Fellowship to Calvary Burmese Church with the approval of the EC of the church, and the official registration was made on March 12, 2004.
Fast and Prayer Group
The church’s fast and prayer group was founded in 2002 and led by Thidar Myint, until 2016. Since then, Daw Hniang Khen Tial (Nyi Mah Lay) has taken over the leadership and maintained the monthly fast and prayer sessions to this day. Before the pandemic, fast and prayer was performed at members’ homes once a month, but during the pandemic era it was kept going via Zoom, once a month. Today it is done via Zoom and in-person, once a month.
Evangelical & Mission Department
The Evangelical and Mission Department was established in 2003, with Thawng Cin Dal@ Thawngpi as the first person in charge. Starting from January 2004, the department’s Aroma Spiritual Media, led by U Kam, printed and distributed the “Aroma Spiritual Bulletin” for free every month using a borrowed copier. However, as the internet age progressed, publishing costs increased and readers preferred online sources over hardcopies. Therefore, in May 2011, the department stopped printing the “Aroma Spirituality Bulletin” and switched to online publishing, which could reach a global audience. Aroma Spiritual Media also uploaded sermons of renowned preachers on Youtube and produced and distributed free CDs of various preachers’ sermons. Moreover, the department invited preachers who were used by God to conduct crusades from time to time. From 2012 to 2016, to celebrate the church’s 15th anniversary, the department supported Pho Thudaw mission in Myanmar and evangelized to the unbelievers there.
In 2018, the E & M department grew with enthusiastic members. The new in-charge Pr. Vei Kho Ning and a member of the E & M department underwent an 8-week practical evangelism training from a teacher from Evangelism Explosion International and taught what they learned to the other members. They also held a one-day evangelistic workshop, where they learned about evangelistic techniques and practiced sharing the gospel through field trips. On the occasion of the church’s 26th anniversary, the E & M Department sent two evangelists, Mr. Saw Aung Kalay and Rev. Pau Khan Thawn, to share the good news of salvation among the unbelievers as a mission for Christ. Moreover, through Zoom online, they shared the gospel regularly twice a week and witnessed people being transformed by grace.
Church Choir – Pianists – Praise & Worship Team
U Gaw Lu La and U Khup Khanpau Tunngo (Paupu) became the Choir leaders in 2005 and started leading the choir in singing praises every Sunday worship service. Since then, U Gaw Lu La has been leading the choir group and praising God with songs mostly composed by him every Sunday. The piano players for the church since its inception were Aunty Betty Khin, Dr. Daw Dwe Myint, Show Ei Ei Tun @ Maw Chi, Dr. Seng Ra, Soe Moe Oo, U Soe Moe, Aunty Htu Shan, Sau Win Mading and Luke Lagwi. The Praise & Worship Team was initiated by Pastor Jeffrey and later led by Khawm Pau until 2010 and then to the youth until today.
Orphanage Committee
The church started a mission program to support orphans in Burma in 2007, when it celebrated its 10th anniversary. It began with providing educational support to 2 orphanage centers, and now it provides educational and healthcare support to about 1500 children from 21 orphanage centers across Myanmar every year. The orphaned children belong to Kachin, Karen, Chin, Myanmar, Lahu, Wah, Lishu, and Shan ethnic groups. The committee also sponsored the education of orphanage students who wanted to attend Bible school, and produced one Shan teacher and one Lisu teacher as ministers. During the covid pandemic period, the committee is providing basic food and medicine for orphaned children in refugee camps.
In 2022, the committee expanded its support to various groups who are taking care of the children of internally displaced people (IDPs), in addition to the regular orphanage centers it supported every year. The committee was able to support about 3,000 orphans and poor children from 36 orphanage centers with education, basic health care, and basic food items. CBC Church Sunday school children and children from orphanages also had the opportunity to worship together through zoom, send Christmas gifts and have fellowship.
Funeral Benefit Fund
The Funeral Benefit Fund program was established and launched in January 2008. It was initially called Sympathy Fund and later renamed to Funeral Benefit Fund. The program charges an annual fee of $60 for an individual or $120 for a family to each member who is at least 18 years old and wants to join the program. The program provides $3,000 in bereavement assistance. Naw Pasaw Wah has been leading the program since 2009 until now.
Deacon Deaconess Team
The church formed the deacon and deaconess team in 2011, with U Bawm Ying Lagwi as the leader. On February 20, 2021, the team had a meeting at U Bawm Ying Lagwi’s home, where Thawng Tunngo took over as the new leader and Daw Lubu joined as a new member. The team now has 13 deacons and deaconesses who handle cases related to their roles as much as possible.
Men Fellowship
The Men Fellowship was established in 2012 and holds a worship meeting once a month. U Myint Lwin was the first president of the fellowship. The Men Fellowship group began supporting an evangelist pastor, Rev. Oo Pyar, in 2018 as much as possible. Since 2022, when Rev. Oo Pyar retired, the Men Fellowship has been supporting evangelist pastor Luai Zam Cing, who is doing evangelism in the leprosy ministry in Mandalay, and pastor Myat Win Tint, who is doing evangelism in Rakhine State.
Church Building Committee
After celebrating its 20th anniversary of thanksgiving in 2017, Calvary Burmese Church decided to buy its own building as part of its future plan, committed the plan to God, and raised funds. The church then started looking for its own building.
Pastoral Team and Associate Pastors
The church has had three pastors since its inception: Rev. Maran Yaw (1997-2000), Rev. Jeffery Saw (2000-2001), and Rev. Dr. Saw Ler Htoo (2001-present).
On August 26, 2018, two pastors from the church, Naomi Kam and Awi Khawmhuai Tunngo, were ordained by the American Baptist Churches USA and the Myanmar Baptist Churches of USA at the East Coast BCANA meeting held at the church.
The church appointed Rev. Awi Khawmhuai Tunngo and Pr. Peter Lwin as Associate Pastors on February 27, 2022.
Pastor Marlene A Po received ordination from the Karen Baptist Churches USA in St. Paul, Minnesota on March 26, 2022.
The church celebrated its 26th anniversary with 10 ministers in the Pastoral team: Rev. Dr. Saw Ler Htoo, Rev. James Lian Khen Thang, Rev. Thang Vella Ralte, Rev. Naomi Kam, Rev. Awi Khawmhuai Tunngo, Pr. Hkawn Ja Nahpaw, Pr. Marlene A Po, Pr. Vei Kho Ning, Pr. Peter Lwin, and Pr. April Hla. The church remains committed to serving God’s work wherever it is needed.
Young Adult Fellowship
The Young Adult Fellowship Group was established on November 16, 2019, and holds worship services quarterly in February, May, August and November. The group aims to foster fellowship and mutual support among all young adult members. The group is not only a spiritual community, but also a social network of friends. The group strives to cultivate mutual understanding, forge friendships, and support the church’s needs as much as possible. Pastor Marlene A Po serves as the spiritual leader of this fellowship group.
Junior Young Adult Fellowship (JYA)
Calvary Burmese Church’s Junior Young Adult (JYA) ministry began in the Fall of 2022. The ministry is focused on young adults who are in the age range of 25-35. The JYA stands for those who were raised in the US since they were young. There was a need for a new community of believers who were of the same faith but raised in a different culture and working in each respective career field. A new community was established so that they can thrive with their God-given talents while communicating, encouraging, and networking with one another. Currently, the group meets twice a month. The first is an in-person gathering with the purpose of having fellowship with each other, and the second is a Zoom bible study with discussions. Pastor Peter Lwin, with the help of Terence Htoo, is leading the ministry.
Calvary Burmese Church Today
Calvary Burmese Church become a mature church that God has blessed and used in various ways. The church had the following departments when it celebrated its 26th anniversary:
- Men Fellowship,
- Women Fellowship,
- Young Adult Fellowship,
- Junior Young Adult Fellowship,
- Youth Fellowship,
- Sunday School Department,
- E&M Department,
- Orphanage Committee,
- Fast & Prayer Team,
- Deacon & Deaconess Team,
- Music Team,
- Choir Team,
- Media Team
From the beginning of the church until now, those who have been leading in various fellowships are as follows.
CBC Executive Committee (EC)
From 1997 to 2000 (2 terms)
- Roland Maung – Chairperson
- Khai Cin Pau – Vice Chairperson
- Pr. Naomi Kam – Secretary
- Naw Hla Kyi – Treasurer
- Myo Oo – Joint Treasurer
From 2001 to 2002 (1 term)
- U Kyin Oo – Chairperson
- Khai Cin Pau – Vice Chairperson
- Wai Austin – Secretary
- Bawm Ying – Joint Secretary
- Mang Khawm Pau – Treasurer
From 2002 to 2005 (2 terms)
- U Kyin Oo – Chairperson
- Mang Khawm Pau – Vice Chairperson
- Pr. Naomi Kam – Vice Chairperson
- Wai Austin – Secretary
- Ngo Dal – Joint Secretary
- Hka Tawm Maran – Treasurer
From 2006 to 2009 (2 terms)
- Dr. La Nu – Chairperson
- Ngo Dal – Vice Chairperson
- Thawng Tunngo – Secretary
- Bawk Sai – Joint Secretary
- Wai Austin – Treasurer
From 2010 to 2013 (2 terms)
- Thawng Tunngo – Chairperson
- Aunty Kathy Lone – Vice Chairperson
- Man Khan Dim – Secretary
- Dicky Aung Dun – Joint Secretary
- Wai Austin – Treasurer
- Hka Tawm Maran – Joint Treasurer
From 2014 to 2017 (2 terms)
- Wai Austin – Chairperson
- Bawm Ying – Vice Chairperson
- Dicky Aung Dun – Secretary
- Van Lal Rin – Joint Secretary
- Man Khan Dim – Treasurer
- Hka Tawm Maran – Joint Treasurer
From 2018 to 2019 (1 term)
- Dicky Aung Dun – Chairperson
- Hsar Yu Wah – Vice Chairperson
- Van Lal Rin – Secretary
- Naw Clara Sweet – Joint Secretary
- Man Khan Dim – Treasurer
- Ja Rawng Lasi – Joint Treasurer
From 2020 to 2021 (1 term)
- Dicky Aung Dun – Chairperson
- May Than Soe – Vice Chairperson
- Van Lal Rin – Secretary
- Naw Clara Sweet – Joint Secretary
- Man Khan Dim – Treasurer
- Ja Rawng Lasi – Joint Treasurer
From 2022 to Present
- Bawm Ying Lagwi – Chairperson
- Van Lal Rin – Vice Chairperson
- Naw Clara Sweet – Secretary
- Dr. Htee Mu – Joint Secretary
- Man Khan Dim – Treasurer
- Hka Tawm Maran – Joint Treasurer
In-charge and Directors of the Christian Education Department
- John Teller & Naw Hla Kyi – 1997 to 2001
- Wai Austin – 2001 to 2012
- Pr. Hkawn Ja – 2012 to 2015
- Pr. Marlene Po – 2016 to 2017
- Rev. Awi Tunngo – 2018 to Present
Women Fellowship
2000 to 2002
- Aunty Cho Mar – President
- Pr. Hkawn Ja – Vice President
- Tin Tin Tun – Secretary
- Hka Tawm Maran – Joint Secretary
- Hkawn Shaung – Treasurer
2002 to 2005
- Aunty Cho Mar – President
- Pr. Naomi Kam – Vice President
- Pr. Hkawn Ja – Secretary
- Tessa – Joint Secretary
- Hkawn Shaung – Treasurer
2005 to 2009
- Pr. Naomi Kam – President
- Tessa – Vice President
- Pr. Hkawn Ja – Secretary
- Gawlu Lu Bu – Joint Secretary
- Hkawn Shaung – Treasurer
2009 to 2011
- Tessa – President
- Dr. Cherry Waing – Vice President
- Pr. Marlene Po – Secretary
- Hka Tawm Maran – Joint Secretary
- Cing Pum Neam – Treasurer
2012 to 2013
- Dr. Cherry Waing – President
- Hkawn Ra Molly – Vice President
- Pr. Marlene Po – Secretary
- Hka Tawm Maran – Joint Secretary
- Cing Pum Neam – Treasurer
2014 to 2017
- Pr. Hkawn Ja – President
- Pr. Marlene Po – Vice President
- Naw Helen Mu Mu- Secretary
- Hniang Khen Tial – Joint Secretary
- Cing Pum Neam – Treasurer
2018 to 2019
- Naw Helen Mu Mu- President
- Rev. Awi Tunngo – Vice President
- Thidar Myint – Secretary
- Dim Cing Huai – Joint Secretary
- Gawlu Lu Bu – Treasurer
- Myra Dahgayapaw- Joint Treasurer
2020 to 2021
- Naw Helen Mu Mu- President
- Lian Zawni – Vice President
- Thidar Myint – Secretary
- Dim Cing Huai – Joint Secretary
- Hka Tawm Maran – Treasurer
- Myra Dahgayapaw- Joint Treasurer
2022 to Present
- Thidar Myint – President
- Lian Zawni – Vice President
- Naw Pa Saw Wah – Secretary
- Caroline Nau – Joint Secretary
- Hka Tawm Maran – Treasurer
- Myra Dahgayapaw- Joint Treasurer
Youth Fellowship
2000 to 2004
- Man Khan Dim – President
- Patricia Lin – Vice President
- Ma Ohn Mar – Vice President
- Dicky Aung Dun – Secretary
- Lalsia Luai (Rose) – Treasurer
2005 to 2007
- Allan Luai – President
- Thang Pi – Vice President
- Dicky Aung Dun – Secretary
- Man Khan Dim – Treasurer
2007 August to 2009 July
- Naw Pasaw Wah – President
- Thang Pi – Vice President
- Peter Lwin – Secretary
- Man Khan Dim – Treasurer
2009 August to 2011 July
- Peter Lwin – President
- Dan Yar – Vice President
- Tun Hla Aung – Secretary
- Naw Pasaw Wah – Treasurer
2011 August to 2013
- Pr. Peter Lwin – President
- Terence Htoo – Vice President
- Christine Thinn – Secretary
- David Lwin – Treasurer
2014 January to 2015 December
- Clara Naw Sweet – President
- Terence Htoo – Vice President
- Jeffery Htun – Secretary
- David Lwin – Treasurer
2016 January to 2017 December
- Terence Htoo – President
- Clara Naw Sweet – Vice President
- Christine Thinn – Secretary
- Michell Maung – Treasurer
2018 January to 2019 December
- Terence Htoo – President
- Nang Cin Khai – Vice President
- Mah Blut Htoo – Secretary
- Jan Jan Maran – Treasurer
2020 January to 2021 December
- Mah Blut Htoo – President
- Luke Lagwi – Vice President
- Esther Lagwi – Secretary
- Terence Htoo – Treasurer
2022 January to Present
- Mah Blut Htoo – President
- Luke Lagwi – Vice President
- Esther Lagwi – Secretary
- Simon Luai – T reasurer
Evangelical and Mission Department (E&M)
- Thawng Cin Dal – 2003–2005
- U Lian Kam – 2006–2017
- Pr. Vei Kho Ning – 2018-Present
Men Fellowship
2012 to 2016
- Myint Lwin – Chairman
- Kyin Mung – Secretary
- Saw Kataw Say – Treasurer
2016 to 2017
- U Saw Eh kler – Chairman
- Hsar Yu Wah – Vice Chairman
- Goon Awng – Secretary
- Da Yu Si – Joint Secretary
- Saw Kataw Say – Treasurer
2018 to 2021
- Bawm Ying Lagwi – Chairman
- Hsar Yu Wah – Vice Chairman
- Goon Awng – Secretary
- Da Yu Si – Joint Secretary
- Tommy – Treasurer
2022 to Present
- Hsar Yu Wah – Chairman
- Goon Awng – Vice Chairman
- Ngam Bawi – Secretary
- Da Yu Si – Joint Secretary
- Tommy – Treasurer
Deacon and Deaconess Team
2011 to 2021
- Bawm Ying Lagwi – Leader
- Thawng Tunngo – Member
- Dr. La Nu – Member
- Saw Johny – Member
- Myint Lwin – Member
- Lian Kam – Member
- Hsar Yu Wah – Member
- Goon Aung – Member
- Tommy – Member
- Min Thike – Member
- Naw Helen Mu Mu– Member
- Thidar Myint – Member
2021 to Present
- Thawng Tunngo – Leader
- Bawm Ying Lagwi – Member
- Dr. La Nu – Member
- Saw Johny – Member
- Myint Lwin – Member
- Lian Kam – Member
- Hsar Yu Wah – Member
- Goon Aung – Member
- Tommy – Member
- Min Thike – Member
- Naw Helen Mu Mu– Member
- Thidar Myint – Member
- Lu Bu – Member
Young Adult Fellowship
2022 January to Present
- May Than Soe – President
- Van Lal Rin – Vice President
- Naw Wah Thaw – Secretary
- Saw Doe Doe – Associate Secretary
Junior Young Adult Fellowship
2022 to Present
- Pr. Peter Lwin – Leader
- Terence Htoo – Assistant
By God’s grace, the Calvary Burmese Christian Fellowship has grown and matured under His will and the leadership of Rev. Dr. Saw Ler Htoo, who has dedicated himself to the ministry and the prayers of all the members. The fellowship has become the Calvary Burmese Church, which welcomes people from all denominations and ethnicities.
I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. (1 Cor 3:6-7)
Compiled by Thawng Tunngo on the Church’s 26th anniversary.