The Victorian Chin Baptist Church is the largest of our BUV Burmese congregations, but has been without a permanent home, holding services and activities at Mooroolbark Baptist Church, The Salvation Army Mooroolbark and Mooroolbark Anglican. Within excess of 900 members, this vibrant and rapidly growing church community needs its own ‘home’. Members of the Victorian Chin Baptist Church are predominantly those who are persecuted for their faith in Burma and have fled to Australia as refugees. Their faith is central to their lives and they dream of building a home and place to worship here as part of or Baptist Union of Victoria family
An ambitious, $5million project is underway to develop a site the church has purchased in Croydon, with the church having raised themselves all but the final $1.5 million. They are building and believing! Currently in the ‘build’ phase, oversighted by Pastor Japheth Lian, some of our BUV team were recently treated to a site visit and overview of this exciting project.
Pastor Japheth Lin, Pastor Mang (from Australia Zophei church), Pastor Peng Thang (from Burma) and Pastor Van Dawt Thawng hosting some of our BUV team (David Devine, Meewon Yang, Marc Chan)
In order to maintain the activities and pastoral care of this large congregation, and continue the building project, responsibilities have been divided between the two Pastors Japheth and Van.
The church is undertaking many aspects of the build themselves, with regular working bees and people contributing skills and resources they have. A particular asset to the project is John Billingham who brings the building project management skills needed, as well as deep understanding of the functionality and heart needed for such a project.
John Billingham onsite
We look forward to watching as this new home for Victorian Chin Baptist Church rises from the ground and becomes a solid base for dynamic and effective mission. Watch this space for updates on the project later in the year!
Source: BUV News