From Disconnection to Discipleship

The kids weren’t connecting.

That’s what Tha Lian Bawi noticed when he planted a church with and for newcomers from Myanmar living in and around Grand Rapids, Mich. The congregation worshiped in their local language—Falam-Chin—but while many of the children’s parents were born in Myanmar and spoke their first language fluently, most of the children have been born in the United States and do not have the same language comprehension or cultural experience. As a result, the young people weren’t fully connecting with the worship or understanding the preaching in their churches.

On top of that, their parents were super-busy.

“In many immigrant households, both parents work full-time and are occupied with the demands of providing for their families. As a result, it can be difficult for them to give adequate attention to their children's spiritual, emotional, and social well-being,” said Bawi.

He wondered, “What if young people who were part of other diaspora congregations were facing similar challenges?” In response, Bawi started a week-long summer Bible camp for young people from his church and from other similar churches nearby.

“The heart behind the camp is to share the gospel with our youth in the language they understand best and to help them grow in their faith through this experience,” said Bawi.

Every summer for the past 10 years, a diverse group of young people from Nepali, Burmese, Karen, Chin, American, and various African churches have come together to have fun, worship, and learn more about the gospel. In the first two years, about 20 students came. Now, about 100 campers gather each summer. Because of financial constraints this year, however, the camp had to limit the number of students to 50.

Each summer, it takes a community of volunteers and supporters to help bring these campers together. Many of the students’ families can’t afford the cost of the camp, so Bawi works hard to subsidize fees. Resonate has provided financial support and made connections with diaspora congregations for students who would benefit from the camp. Princeton Christian Reformed Church in Kentwood, Mich.—Bawi’s local church and the parent church of his congregation—has been especially helpful, he said.

“Elders, pastors, and other members faithfully support the camp each year, helping make it all possible,” said Bawi.

Bawi said he also recruits local CRC pastors to teach and preach throughout the week, and Bethany Christian Services has provided valuable education and resources on mental health for the past two summers. 

It takes a team of 15 or so volunteers every week for hands-on support throughout the week, Bawi added, but seeing the young people grow every year has encouraged him to make this summer camp a ministry priority.

“Over the years, we've heard many powerful testimonies from campers about how they encountered the Lord, discovered the joy of knowing him, and experienced the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives,” he said, sharing that the camps during 2018 and 2021 stand out because several youths came forward to be baptized during those camp experiences.

“What a beautiful and unforgettable sight” each of those occasions were, he shared.

Several young people said they have loved the camp so much that they and their families are dreaming alongside Bawi about starting a church plant in which people from diverse cultures and backgrounds can come together. They are still wondering and mapping out what that might look like, said Bawi, but for now they are enjoying the camp opportunities they already have..

“One of the things I love most is seeing people from different cultures and backgrounds come together—living, worshiping, playing, eating, and sharing their hearts with one another over the course of a few days,” said Bawi. “I am always overjoyed in seeing this powerful glimpse of glory!”

And the kids? They’re connecting.