The Kwon's Missionary Journey

Dear Partners and Friends, Grace and peace to you from Myanmar. These days, much of Myanmar is suffering under extreme heat reaching over 104°F, along with the deep pain of ongoing civil conflict. Yet in the midst of this hardship, God provided a place of unexpected refreshment. From April 28 to May 1, we gathered in the mountains of Shan State for a pastors’ seminar, where the mornings were cool and gentle—dropping below 65°F. For many of these pastors, it felt like stepping into a place of rest that God Himself had prepared. But more than the weather, it was the presence of God that renewed us. A Pioneer Work Becoming a Movement Over the past five years, the Shan Pioneer Area has grown from a fragile beginning into a vibrant and multiplying ministry. What was once a mission frontier is now becoming a strong network of faith, with 10 churches, 10 pastors, and 13 preaching points. Next year, this work is expected to be established as the Myanmar Eastern District. This i...

Security Note: All names and locations in this story have been changed to protect the safety of local believers. On March 21 of this year, in a creative-access country we will call “L,” a lay evangelist gave his life for the sake of the gospel. He had come to faith only in 2024, and before that, his life had been marked by deep brokenness. He struggled with drug addiction, neglected his family, and had lost hope for the future. But everything changed when he encountered Jesus Christ. The gospel transformed him completely, and from that moment on, he devoted his life to sharing that same life-giving message with others. Like Stephen in the early church, his life—and now his death—has become a seed planted in difficult soil, where the gospel is beginning to take root. We share his story with heavy hearts, yet with deep hope. We will call him Brother Kham . He lived in a small village in the mountainous north, where life was simple but often hard. For many years, he was tra...

Dr. Bill Kwon, Southeast Asia Field Strategy Coordinator, and Judy Bannet, NMI President of Nampa First Church of the Nazarene, formalize the 2026–2030 partnership agreement. A moment of intercession: The Nampa congregations lay hands on Dr. Bill Kwon, committing the next five years of ministry and partnership in Southeast Asia to the Lord.   A Partnership for the Unreached: Nampa Churches Renew Commitment to Southeast Asia NAMPA, Idaho — A foundational partnership is entering a new chapter as two Idaho congregations reaffirm their commitment to one of the most rapidly growing mission fields in the Church of the Nazarene. Nampa First Church of the Nazarene and Nampa College Church of the Nazarene have officially signed a new five-year covenant (2026–2030) with the Southeast Asia Field . The agreement follows a half-decade of "miracle growth" that saw the church expand despite a global pandemic and severe regional instability. Dr. Bill Kwon, Southeast Asia Field Strategy Co...

  Alabaster Walls, Local Foundations”: Global Generosity Helps Establish Myanmar Southeast District Office TOUNGOO, MYANMAR — On January 8, 2026, the global Church of the Nazarene’s faithfulness took physical form in Toungoo, Myanmar. Amidst songs of celebration, the Myanmar Southeast District dedicated its new District Office—a milestone made possible through the global generosity of the Alabaster Offering. The dedication was held alongside the 1st Assembly of the Myanmar Southeast District (January 8–9) under the theme “Faith and Action” (Hebrews 11:1). Approximately 160 people gathered to celebrate, including pastors, lay leaders, youth, and guests from the Southern and Central Districts. While the gathering marked a new beginning, leaders emphasized that the building stands as a monument to partnership: Alabaster funds provided the resources to construct the facility, while the local church provided the ground it stands on. A Mission Center Built by Global Giving The new office...

  A Door Opened in "Ban Pa * ": Healing and Hope in CAA10 Central Area In the quiet, dusty lanes of a village in the central region of  CAA10 , life often moves at a slow and predictable pace .  But for one family in a community we will call  "Ban Pa,"  the month of February 2026 brought a transformation that no one could have predicted. An Atmosphere of Despair The scene began in a small, humble home where fifteen people had gathered together .  The air was heavy, not just with the heat of the day, but with the visible weariness of a family struggling with chronic illness . In many of these rural communities, sickness is more than a physical burden; it is a source of deep spiritual and financial despai It was into this atmosphere of need that  Pastor "Somsack"  arrived .  As a dedicated student in the  Course of Study at Chapman International College (CIC) , Pastor Somsack didn't come with a complex program or an academic lecture . He c...

Dr. Christian Sarmiento, JGS of the Asia-Pacific Region, and other leaders laid hands to ordain the first national ordained elder from CAA 10.  On January 22, 2026, the Church of the Nazarene marked a historic milestone in CAA 10 North as leaders gathered for the first District Assembly and Ordination Service, held in conjunction with the nation's first-ever commencement of Chapman International College (CIC). These events represent a significant step forward in leadership development and church organization within one of Southeast Asia’s most challenging mission contexts. A Milestone in a Restricted Land:  The setting heightens the importance of this moment. CAA 10 North is a Creative Access Area, where public proclamation of the gospel is restricted, and Christians continue to face pressure and persecution. Many believers worship quietly in homes, pastors serve without public recognition, and sharing the name of Jesus openly is often not possible. Yet, in this difficult envi...