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Myanmar persecution: Pastor abducted by Burmese Army, not heard from since

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Ethnic Chin Baptist pastor Rev. Thian Lian Sang was abducted in Mandalay, Myanmar by the Burmese army (Tatmadaw) on September 16, and has not been heard of since, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

The abduction of Rev. Sang occurred two days before the military murdered another ethnic Chin Christian leader, Pastor Cung Biak Hum of Thantlang Centennial Baptist Church, on September 18.

The pastor of Falam Baptist Church in Shwe, Rev. Thian Lian Sang was kidnapped in front of his house in the morning by a group of around 20 armed soldiers, ICC reports. The pastor was recovering from COVID-19 and his family are worried about his health. It is not known where he is being held.

Representing 49 million Baptists in 126 countries and territories, the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) called for the pastor’s immediate release, ICC reports. In its statement about the abduction, the BWA added that officers from the State Administration Council (SAC) also raided Rev. Sang’s home and confiscated $215 and five mobile phones, including those of the pastor’s wife and mother, ICC said.

The BWA has also called for justice to be done in regard to the killing of Baptist pastor Hum, who was murdered trying to help people whose homes were burning following a Burmese army airstrike on them.

Persecution against Christians in Myanmar has intensified since the Burmese Army conducted a military coup on February 1, ousting the government and imposing violent military rule.