 
Background
The mass migration of Burmese people to the United States can be traced back to the mid sixties when
the country was run under the Socialist governing system. Among those who
migrated to the United States were many Burmese Christians. At first,
these Christians attended different churches in the great Los Angeles Area.
But as they came into contact with one another and the great vision of Rev.
Henry Ang at the same time, they felt a strong need for a separate Burmese
speaking church.
A Brief History of the Burmese Christian Fellowship (B.C.F.)
(The first Burmese speaking church in Southern
California)
Before sharing the history of B.C.F., Jesus Christ our
Lord and Savior is the founder of this church. The rest are co-founders only
because the scripture says in Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds the house,
they Labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, the watch
man keeps awake in vain.” Therefore, unless the Lord founded this
church, we all who founded it labor in vain.
After six years of radio broadcast in the Philippines,
the Lord let Rev. Henry Ang felt in his heart the hunger and the thirst of
worshiping together with Burmese Christians. When he met Ko Shwe Myint he
told him that it would be very good to get all Burmese Christians together
and worship the Lord in once accord. Therefore, Rev. Henry Ang was introduced
to Ko Shwe Myint’s sister-in-law, Daw Haven Bate, on the New
Year’s Day of 1976. They invited her to religious meetings and
retreats. They shared their religious experiences with each other.
One day the Holy Spirit struck her to feel the same way as
Rev. Henry Ang felt. So Daw Haven Bate got in touch with Alan Cho, who
managed to get a place of worship at the First Baptist Church of Alhambra.
They mailed out 30 invitations and had the very first service on January 29, 1977.
Seventeen people attended the very first service and they were Daw Haven
Bate, Alan Cho, Irene and Lawrence Chwa, Ludee and David Nyo Dun with their
three children, and beloved missionaries Miss Laughlin, Miss Wiatt, Miss
Thayer, Miss Beebe, Miss Price and Miss Shivers, and of course Joy and Rev.
Henry Ang.
The early B.C.F. monthly services were resumed at the
homes of those who extended their hospitality. Each time the participants
grew.
In response to
increased numbers in Burmese Christian community, the church continuously
plans and implements many ministries to meet the Great Commission. Below are
the significant timelines and the events of the church.
■ In
August 1980, the B.C.F. (Youth) was formed with quite a few youth and
young adults, and its first President was Billy Wong.
■ In
cooperation of Rev. Peter Cooper, B.C.F. Constitution was drafted. In
January 1981, the very first members of the official board were elected.
■ With
the assistant of Dr. Kyaw Win, B.C.F. was able to incorporate.
The application was sent in on January 7, 1984, and was accepted on April 24, 1984. On May 2 of the same year, it was approved and signed by March Fong
Eu, the Secretary of the State of California.
■ B.C.F.
held worship services at the Chinese Evangelical Free Church Social Hall
for a year and moved to Temple Church due to an invitation from Rev.
James Conklin.
■
At 1987 B.C.F. Retreat, the Official Board decided to start weekly worship
services.
■ In
1988, B.C.F. moved to Marion Chapel and weekly services were
continued.
■ In
1993, with the help of Saya Eddie Hang B.C.F. moved to Calvary Community
Church of Pasadena up to the present.
■
In 2003, B.C.F. Silver Jubilee (25th Anniversary) was held on January
18 and 19.
■ In
2005, B.C.F. (Youth) Silver Jubilee (25th Anniversary) was held on
July 30 and 31.
The list of Pastoral Associates who had served with Senior
Pastor Rev. Henry Ang.
|
YEAR
|
PASTORAL ASSOCIATES
|
|
1977-1979
|
No Associate
|
|
1980-1982
|
Rev. Peter Cooper
|
|
1985-1988
|
Thra Samuel Saw
|
|
1989-1990
|
No Associate
|
|
1991-1996
|
Saya Eddie Hang
|
|
1997
|
Saya Eddie Hang
U Mya Aye
Daw Khin Aye Yee
|
|
1998
|
Saya Eddie Hang
U Mya Aye
|
|
1999
|
Rev. Hkun Gam Lahpai
Saya Eddie Hang
Saya Ceu Lian Thang
Saya Ricky Hla
|
|
2000
|
Rev. Hkun Gam Lahpai
Saya Ricky Hla
Saya Livingstone Zan
Sayama Hsi Mu Shein
|
|
2001-2002
|
Rev. Than Htun Myat
Saya Ricky Hla
Saya Livingstone Zan
Sayama Hsi Mu Shein
|
|
2003-Present
|
Rev. Livingstone Zan
(Associated Pastor)
Rev. Ricky Hla
Rev. Tom Wan
Sayama Hsi
Mu Shein
|
Since the formation of the Burmese Christian Fellowship,
the chairman and presidents were as follows:
|
YEAR
|
CHAIRMAN/PRESIDENTS
|
|
1977-1980
|
Rev. Henry Ang
|
|
1981-1984
|
Rev. Henry Ang
|
|
1985-1987
|
Dr. Kyaw Win
|
|
1988-1989
|
Mr. Billy Wong
|
|
1989-1990
|
Ms. Noreen Tong
|
|
1991-1994
|
Mr. Lawrence Chwa
|
|
1995-1996
|
Mr. Mark Chen
|
|
1997-1998
|
Ms. Annette Shwe
|
|
1999-2000
|
Ms. Nancy Lim
|
|
2000-2002
|
Mr. John Ma
|
|
2003-2004
|
Ms. Annette Shwe
|
|
2005-2006
|
Mr. John Ma.
|
|
2007
|
Mr. Kyi Shinn
|
|
