During the final session, the missionaries reflected on Haggai 1:2-12, where Israel’s neglect of the temple revealed misplaced priorities. They were urged to avoid similar pitfalls by seeking first to please God and by dedicating themselves to building His church with faith and perseverance.

It was emphasized that faith is essential to mission work, drawing from Hebrews 11:6 that “without faith it is impossible to please God”. The missionaries were encouraged to persist in prayer, trust God’s provision for people and resources, and endure challenges as opportunities to witness His answers.

Church planting, the missionaries were reminded, is not about numbers or organizational expansion but an act of love and devotion to God. Each new congregation is meant to bring Him glory, as they are to live in obedience greater than sacrifice, modeled on the Israelites’ immediate response to Haggai’s message.

Over the course of the Church Planter Training, sessions covered the Biblical purpose of church planting, evangelism, Bible study, prayer, discipleship, and shepherding. Additional lectures stressed the importance of faith and order in maintaining a clear vision and unified mission strategy throughout the region.

The program concluded with a time of prayer, as the SEA missionaries renewed their determination to please God by planting churches with urgent hearts, trusting that each new congregation will glorify Him and advance the Gospel across the region.

The training initiative is designed to prepare missionaries to thrive in challenging mission environments, especially those culturally unfamiliar. With a strong emphasis on Biblical foundations and practical skills, the program will feature a blend of lectures and workshops focused on four core areas: Bible, church history, culture, and mission strategy.

The Church Planter Training will equip missionaries with core skills in spiritual formation, mission strategy, church planting, Bible teaching, and pastoral care. It will also address practical areas such as financial management, digital ministry tools, and personal well-being to ensure holistic preparation for effective ministry in diverse mission contexts.

As more missionaries respond to the call to pioneer new churches, this training is expected to serve as a vital launchpad, equipping them with the knowledge, spiritual discipline, and practical tools needed to establish and grow churches across Southeast Asia and beyond.

The sessions focused on the coming of the Holy Spirit during the first Pentecost and examined how the Early Church was empowered to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God with boldness.

Through the Bible lectures, the attendees explored how the Spirit enabled ordinary believers to witness fearlessly even in the face of persecution, demonstrating the transformative power of God at work in the life of the church.

In addition to Bible lectures, the retreats also incorporated small group sharing, prayer meetings, and interactive activities, which allowed attendees to reflect on the teachings, strengthen fellowship, and deepen mutual encouragement. These moments of community reinforced the lessons of Scripture and helped participants internalize the message of Spirit-led service.

Inspired by the faithful footsteps of the Early Church amid persecutions, the retreats concluded with a renewed commitment among OA SEA churches to co-work in harmony with the Holy Spirit, pursuing revival and actively proclaiming the Gospel in their local communities and beyond.

The training reaffirmed OLI’s vision of raising Christ-like leaders marked by humility, character, and love. The trainees were reminded that shepherding is not a personal choice but a calling given through the Holy Spirit. While none are qualified by their own strength, God’s grace makes them sufficient, and His calling is irrevocable. Even in moments of weakness or failure, they were encouraged to remember that God’s decision to choose them is unshaken.

Central to the message was Apostle Paul’s exhortation to keep watch over oneself before caring for others. The trainees were urged to remain rooted in their relationship with God, understanding that the church is not an ordinary institution but a community purchased with the blood of Christ. This truth, they were told, should cultivate humility and reverence in service.

Apostle Paul’s example of serving “with humility and tears” was also emphasized as a model for leadership. Humility acknowledges complete dependence on God, while tears reflect genuine love and burden for the flock. A true shepherd, the trainees were reminded, does not serve merely out of duty but with deep compassion and intercession for God’s people, especially in times of struggle or danger.

The trainees were also cautioned that the real test of leadership lies beyond the training itself. The mission field will bring spiritual battles, doubts, and challenges, but these should be seen as opportunities to grow in faith. Just as the apostles were led by the Holy Spirit in Acts, leaders today must choose to walk with Him daily, trusting that God’s faithfulness will sustain them in every situation.

Despite feelings of inadequacy, the trainees were encouraged to cling to God’s grace, which is greater than any weakness. Echoing Hebrews 11:6, they were reminded that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him, and He provides strength to continue the mission.

The conclusion of this 5-day training was framed not as an end, but the beginning of a lifelong journey of shepherding. The trainees were sent out with the charge to live out their calling with humility, faith, and perseverance, always remembering that the people they serve were bought at the highest price — the blood of Christ.

Delivered by the General Secretary of Olivet Assembly of Southeast Asia (OA SEA), the closing message, based on Acts 28:23-31, emphasized the Apostle Paul’s unwavering proclamation of the Kingdom of God and Jesus Christ “with all boldness and without hindrance”. The leaders were exhorted to carry this same spirit as they engage in mission work across Myanmar.

The message urged leaders to deeply understand and teach the core doctrines of Christology, Soteriology, and Eschatology, stressing the need to present the full narrative of redemption – from creation to Christ’s return. Highlighting the centrality of the Cross, the preacher reminded the leaders that salvation is not just justification, but includes sanctification and the future hope of glorification.

Myanmar leaders were also cautioned against reducing preaching to motivational speaking, emphasizing instead the need for Gospel-centered proclamation grounded in Biblical truth and the Cross of Jesus Christ. “We must preach Christ crucified,” the preacher emphasized, “not based on emotion, but based on the truth of salvation.”

Referencing the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, the leaders were reminded that the call to evangelize is for all believers, not just trained ministers. Despite rejection or hardship, they were encouraged to remain faithful, trusting in God’s presence and purpose.

As the conference drew to a close, the leaders were called not only to listen but to act – to participate in building the Kingdom of God through bold church planting efforts. The message concluded with a stirring challenge, “Let us go and build the Kingdom of God, for nothing can stop the advancement of the Gospel!”

May the fire of revival sparked during this conference continue to burn in the hearts of Myanmar’s leaders, propelling them forward in their mission to proclaim Christ without hindrance.

OA SEA churches testify the great work of the Holy Spirit through the Bible lectures that were delivered across their retreats, as hearts were moved to repentance for killing Jesus as the author of life (Acts 3:15), while being deeply inspired by the obedience of Christ even to the point of death on the Cross (Philippians 2:8).

It was also encouraging to note that OA SEA churches witnessed groups of newcomers who attended their respective Easter Retreats for the first time, with some even travelling from other far-away cities just to join the event. This serves as precious fruits for the missionaries following their intensive period of evangelism across the 40-day Lent season.

May the spirit of the Cross and resurrection of Christ overflow in the life of every retreat participant, that through their precious encounter of the Cross of His precious blood this Easter, it will leave a life-long impact upon them to joyfully take up their cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23).

In his appeal to OA churches across Southeast Asia, Pastor Habakkuk Van of OA Myanmar expressed, “We are writing to you with heavy hearts, yet full of hope, in the wake of the recent earthquake that struck Myanmar, leaving behind great suffering and destruction. Our church leaders are living in refugee spaces temporarily, as their church spaces are urgently in need of repair for them to resume their ministry as soon as possible. As a family of faith, we humbly ask for your partnership, through prayer and financial support, which will directly impact the lives of those in urgent need and help to rebuild the house of God.”

Churches across OA Myanmar are currently mobilizing resources and encouraging believers to contribute through donations, prayers, and voluntary service. The funds raised will be used to provide essential supplies, shelter, and spiritual encouragement to affected families.

Prayers are called upon the relief efforts to reach all affected communities across Myanmar, as OA churches across Southeast Asia stand hand-in-hand with their fellow Myanmar brothers and sisters in overcoming this difficult period together.

At a time when many are wandering in the world not knowing the precious gift of salvation, the Lent season is a precious time to share the Gospel. In particular, prepared souls are to be guided to discover their urgent need for the Lord as they are being led to realize the depth of their sins, before being guided toward the path of salvation through clear explanation of justification that comes only by faith, and the understanding of sanctification and glorification.

Additionally, while meditating deeply upon the meaning of the Lord’s Cross and resurrection, OA SEA churches are to begin preparations for their Bible lectures that will be delivered during their upcoming Easter retreats, to explain deeply why did the Lord went on the path of the Cross, and how did His death and resurrection still impact our lives today.

May the Holy Spirit guide all OA SEA churches in their preparations for their Easter retreats, as they prepare to commence the 40-day Lent season with sincere hearts to understand and proclaim the deep meaning of the Lord’s Cross and the Good News of His salvation with many.

Meditating on the message that was delivered from 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 and entitled, ‘I Have Made Myself a Slave to Everyone, to Win as Many as Possible’, the trainees were challenged to examine their motivation for walking the path of faith and committing their lives to preaching Jesus Christ as they prepared to head back to their respective mission fields.

Just as Apostle Paul, in defending his apostleship, declared, “Am I not free?” (1 Corinthians 9:1), his willingness to conduct missions was not out of compulsion, but a willing response to the freedom granted through Christ. Upon this foundation of taking up the God-given commission by freewill, the attacks from the enemy can be mitigated as the trainees have strong conviction of freely taking the path marked with suffering.

In spite of the difficulties encountered in the mission field, there is true rest in following Jesus Christ. Referencing Matthew 11:28-30, the trainees were encouraged, “As we give our burdens to the Lord, we have gained this freedom, but the next step is to take Jesus’ yoke for He is gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest in your souls. True rest is not being idle and doing nothing, but to rest in the love of Christ. This enables us to experience the love that set us free, and we enter into a deeper world of love.”

Imitating Jesus’ life of kenosis in Philippians 2:5-8 to willingly obey the Father despite His prayer of tears in Gethsemane to not take the cup, Apostle Paul boldly testified that he too willingly preached the grace He received that Jesus Christ is Lord (1 Corinthians 9:16-18; 2 Corinthians 4:5). In sharing the grace of Jesus Christ, Apostle Paul subjected himself to be a slave to all to win as many as possible.

Apostle Paul’s ministry was with humility and tears (Acts 20:19) in seeking to lead as many to Christ, to the point of His willingness to be cut off from Christ for his people to know Jesus (Romans 9:3). Similarly, contextualization to evangelism is crucial to be able to bring many to Christ without compromising on the Truth (1 Corinthians 9:22). This should be done through active prayer with tears for the lost souls in one’s mission field to understand their pains, and seeking to convey the Gospel of light to them.

Finally, with the firm foundation of freely taking their commission and seeking persistently to share Jesus with heart of servant, the trainees should set goals and clear direction of doing mission (1 Corinthians 9:26). This is the heart of Apostle Paul to save as many as possible for God’s Kingdom. Running with eyes fixed on a clear finishing line of the mission goals that they have been set for this year, the sermon was concluded with a call of all trainees to set up determination to maximize each day with deep joy to share the Gospel and witness God’s Kingdom come one day sooner.

May God strengthen all trainees with the power of Holy Spirit to retain the precious grace received as they returned to their mission fields, that they will boldly go forward without hesitation to preach Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God, toward saving even one more soul with urgent hearts.

Listening to a series of Bible lectures from the Gospels and Pauline Epistles that explained about the reasons for Christ’s birth more than 2,000 years ago, the attendants were deeply moved by the depths of God’s love toward the world in darkness, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Apart from the Bible lectures, various activities such as fellowship games, small group sharing and prayer meetings were also held as the attendants deepened their understanding on the lectures that were delivered, while being mutually encouraged through the time of fellowship and prayer.

Greatly inspired by the true spirit of Christmas whereby the Lord came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28), may OA SEA churches commit themselves to joyfully serve and proclaim the Good News of salvation across their cities and beyond.