Our organization's history:
New Students and Professors - June, 2018
The Myanmar Evangelical Partnership Project (MEP) began as a "grass roots" effort in 1988 for the purpose of producing a translation of the New Testament in the Falam Chin dialect to be sent to the Christians in the Chin Hills of Myanmar. This ethnic tribal region of Myanmar (Burma) is in the far Northern Hills. The Falam Chin tribal peoples group are mostly Evangelical Christians.
This MEP Project grew into the desire of the Burmese Christian translators to establish a non-denominational Theological Seminary.
The Myanmar Evangelical Partnership Project was founded to:
1. fund the publication of the Falam Chin New Testament, and to
2. fund the beginnings of this new Yangon Theological Seminary.
The Myanmar Evangelical Partnership Project began working with the Senior Translator, Dr. Joseph Thang Hup; Hanley Tinkap Nothanvel; Paul Dar Nie Sum and other theological school graduates who had the vision to begin Yangon Theological Seminary.
On May 12, 1998, Encouragement, Inc. filed Articles of Incorporation for a Non-Profit corporation in the State of Michigan. On June 4, 1998 the Internal revenue Service of the Department of the Treasury, U.S.A., determined Encouragement, Inc. to be a 501(c)3 Corporation.
This MEP Project grew into the desire of the Burmese Christian translators to establish a non-denominational Theological Seminary.
The Myanmar Evangelical Partnership Project was founded to:
1. fund the publication of the Falam Chin New Testament, and to
2. fund the beginnings of this new Yangon Theological Seminary.
The Myanmar Evangelical Partnership Project began working with the Senior Translator, Dr. Joseph Thang Hup; Hanley Tinkap Nothanvel; Paul Dar Nie Sum and other theological school graduates who had the vision to begin Yangon Theological Seminary.
On May 12, 1998, Encouragement, Inc. filed Articles of Incorporation for a Non-Profit corporation in the State of Michigan. On June 4, 1998 the Internal revenue Service of the Department of the Treasury, U.S.A., determined Encouragement, Inc. to be a 501(c)3 Corporation.
Brief History of the translation of the Falam Chin New Testament
Dr. Joseph thang Hup was the Senior Translator of the Falam Chin New Testament. The text was typed on a manual typewriter by Joseph. He mailed this voluminous text to America. It was typed on legal size onion skin paper.
About 25 Detroit (Michigan) area Christians typed this unknown language (but it used the English alphabet) into our basic (1988 Mac) computers. We produced floppy disks. They were sent to Dallas Texas for proof reading by Joseph's brother in law who was studying theology in order to begin his own Seminary in Mandalay, Myanmar.
This text was corrected on our computer. The pages were formatted and sent to a printer. The 1200 New Testaments printed were shipped to Calcutta, India. They were received by Hanley Tinkap Nothanvel (also a brother in law of Joseph). Hanley trucked the New Testaments North into India where they were smuggled across the "tio" river into the Falam Hills of Myanmar.
They were distributed to the Falam Chin people there.... They cried.... never having before seen their language in print.... and in a Bible. A Bible printed in their own language.
Dr. Joseph thang Hup was the Senior Translator of the Falam Chin New Testament. The text was typed on a manual typewriter by Joseph. He mailed this voluminous text to America. It was typed on legal size onion skin paper.
About 25 Detroit (Michigan) area Christians typed this unknown language (but it used the English alphabet) into our basic (1988 Mac) computers. We produced floppy disks. They were sent to Dallas Texas for proof reading by Joseph's brother in law who was studying theology in order to begin his own Seminary in Mandalay, Myanmar.
This text was corrected on our computer. The pages were formatted and sent to a printer. The 1200 New Testaments printed were shipped to Calcutta, India. They were received by Hanley Tinkap Nothanvel (also a brother in law of Joseph). Hanley trucked the New Testaments North into India where they were smuggled across the "tio" river into the Falam Hills of Myanmar.
They were distributed to the Falam Chin people there.... They cried.... never having before seen their language in print.... and in a Bible. A Bible printed in their own language.
Brief History of the translation of the Falam Chin Study Bible
From about 1992 to 1996 several professors at Yangon Theological Seminary, (Led by Dr. Joseph Thang Hup, the Senior Translator) formed a Translation Team to translate the whole Bible into the Falam Chin dialect. Also, they decided to add scripture references and Study Notes. This would give their Chin pastors and evangelists a good working Study Bible from which to produce sermons for their congregations in the remote areas of Burma.
From 1996 to 1998 about 50 Detroit, Michigan area believers typed this text into computers and saved it on floppy disks. The dialect words were unknown to us, but the translation used the English Alphabet.
In 1998 these disks were delivered to the translators in Yangon, Myanmar (formerly Rangoon, Burma) where the Translation Team proof read the entire text, verified the scripture references and reviewed the notes. Then they formatted the pages ready for printing.
The Book of Matthew was published as a sample to obtain comments on its’ usability, acceptability and need by the Falam Chin pastors. A local Yangon ministry was found to have just received a new four-color printing press that could print the fine India paper needed to keep the bible thin enough for use. They undertook the job at below their cost.
On July 23, 2005 Paul Wilson, President of Encouragement, Inc., dedicated the Falam Chin Study Bible at a dedication service in Yangon. 4000 copies were printed for $24,000. They were distributed to pastors, evangelists and lay leaders. Now there is a need to print additional copies of the Falam Chin Study Bible.
In 2006 the entire Falam Chin Study Bible was put on-line. It can be viewed on the world wide web for all Chin peoples around the word.
From about 1992 to 1996 several professors at Yangon Theological Seminary, (Led by Dr. Joseph Thang Hup, the Senior Translator) formed a Translation Team to translate the whole Bible into the Falam Chin dialect. Also, they decided to add scripture references and Study Notes. This would give their Chin pastors and evangelists a good working Study Bible from which to produce sermons for their congregations in the remote areas of Burma.
From 1996 to 1998 about 50 Detroit, Michigan area believers typed this text into computers and saved it on floppy disks. The dialect words were unknown to us, but the translation used the English Alphabet.
In 1998 these disks were delivered to the translators in Yangon, Myanmar (formerly Rangoon, Burma) where the Translation Team proof read the entire text, verified the scripture references and reviewed the notes. Then they formatted the pages ready for printing.
The Book of Matthew was published as a sample to obtain comments on its’ usability, acceptability and need by the Falam Chin pastors. A local Yangon ministry was found to have just received a new four-color printing press that could print the fine India paper needed to keep the bible thin enough for use. They undertook the job at below their cost.
On July 23, 2005 Paul Wilson, President of Encouragement, Inc., dedicated the Falam Chin Study Bible at a dedication service in Yangon. 4000 copies were printed for $24,000. They were distributed to pastors, evangelists and lay leaders. Now there is a need to print additional copies of the Falam Chin Study Bible.
In 2006 the entire Falam Chin Study Bible was put on-line. It can be viewed on the world wide web for all Chin peoples around the word.
Brief History of the Founding of Yangon Theological Seminary and present support of Beulah Theological Seminary.
The Yangon Theological Seminary (YTS) opened its doors in October 1996 with 12 students. In May 1997 they rented two buildings with funds supplied by supporters of the Myanmar Evangelical Project. They had 27 students enrolled in the semester which began June 1997. They had their first graduation ceremony on March 2, 1999.
In 2007 YTS moved to their own campus using an existing warehouse for Chapel and classes, and built bamboo dorms for Men and Women. Encouragement, Inc. has supported the education of 169 graduates from YTS. These graduates are church planters, pastors, teachers, evangelists and missionaries to the peoples of Myanmar. Over 500 students have been enrolled and received Theological Training at YTS.
In 2010, due to the loosening of the military dictatorship, the President of Yangon Theological Seminary ran for the political office of Minister of Parliament. Since he was well connected in his Falam Chin ethnic tribal region, he won the election. He had to resign as President of Yangon Theological Seminary (YTS). Solomon Mang was appointed President of YTS.
Sadly the Sanctions imposed by U.S.A. on Myanmar stated that Americans could not send funds to Myanmar Government Officials. This meant that we could not send funds to Hanley since YTS met on his property. Encouragement, Inc. was not allowed to continue support of YTS.
In 2011 Encouragement, Inc. began supporting Beulah Theological Seminary (BTS). Joseph Thang Hup left YTS in 2003 to begin BTS and become the BTS Founder and President. Joseph had been one of the founders of YTS and was their President and Academic Dean. Joseph is the senior translator of the Falam Chin New Testament and the Falam Chin Study Bible. Many of the professors, including Solomon Mang, from YTS transferred to Beulah Theological Seminary in 2010. Joseph received his theological education at Dallas Theological Seminary in Texas.
Over 320 Burmese students have enrolled and received their education at BTS. After Eight commencements BTS has 82 graduates.
During semester breaks, students and professors visit alumni church plants to assist in putting on evangelical salvation crusades. These crusades last a week and are well attended by Buddhists who are fed during the week of evangelistic meetings. Weekend evangelism is also being done in Yangon by BTS students. BTS has the same doctrinal position as Dallas Theological Seminary.
Encouragement, Inc. has provided the total funding toward the instruction, teaching, professors salaries, facility maintenance, room and board for over 820 students of God's Word at these two seminaries. Additionally, Encouragement, Inc. has provided the total funding for 251 Graduates from these two Seminaries. These men and women are missionaries, teachers, pastors, church planters and evangelists in this very dark third world country where non-citizens are NOT allowed to live, teach or preach the Gospel...This is a Make Your Own Christian Missionary Project!!
Become a Partner with Encouragement, Inc. to maximize your mission dollars.
$35,000. will train and send 10 national missionaries a year to the Un-reached Peoples Group of Buddhists in Myanmar.
(Additionally, 30 other students are also being trained for the next years Graduation....for this same $35,000.)
Please contact us for further information.
The Yangon Theological Seminary (YTS) opened its doors in October 1996 with 12 students. In May 1997 they rented two buildings with funds supplied by supporters of the Myanmar Evangelical Project. They had 27 students enrolled in the semester which began June 1997. They had their first graduation ceremony on March 2, 1999.
In 2007 YTS moved to their own campus using an existing warehouse for Chapel and classes, and built bamboo dorms for Men and Women. Encouragement, Inc. has supported the education of 169 graduates from YTS. These graduates are church planters, pastors, teachers, evangelists and missionaries to the peoples of Myanmar. Over 500 students have been enrolled and received Theological Training at YTS.
In 2010, due to the loosening of the military dictatorship, the President of Yangon Theological Seminary ran for the political office of Minister of Parliament. Since he was well connected in his Falam Chin ethnic tribal region, he won the election. He had to resign as President of Yangon Theological Seminary (YTS). Solomon Mang was appointed President of YTS.
Sadly the Sanctions imposed by U.S.A. on Myanmar stated that Americans could not send funds to Myanmar Government Officials. This meant that we could not send funds to Hanley since YTS met on his property. Encouragement, Inc. was not allowed to continue support of YTS.
In 2011 Encouragement, Inc. began supporting Beulah Theological Seminary (BTS). Joseph Thang Hup left YTS in 2003 to begin BTS and become the BTS Founder and President. Joseph had been one of the founders of YTS and was their President and Academic Dean. Joseph is the senior translator of the Falam Chin New Testament and the Falam Chin Study Bible. Many of the professors, including Solomon Mang, from YTS transferred to Beulah Theological Seminary in 2010. Joseph received his theological education at Dallas Theological Seminary in Texas.
Over 320 Burmese students have enrolled and received their education at BTS. After Eight commencements BTS has 82 graduates.
During semester breaks, students and professors visit alumni church plants to assist in putting on evangelical salvation crusades. These crusades last a week and are well attended by Buddhists who are fed during the week of evangelistic meetings. Weekend evangelism is also being done in Yangon by BTS students. BTS has the same doctrinal position as Dallas Theological Seminary.
Encouragement, Inc. has provided the total funding toward the instruction, teaching, professors salaries, facility maintenance, room and board for over 820 students of God's Word at these two seminaries. Additionally, Encouragement, Inc. has provided the total funding for 251 Graduates from these two Seminaries. These men and women are missionaries, teachers, pastors, church planters and evangelists in this very dark third world country where non-citizens are NOT allowed to live, teach or preach the Gospel...This is a Make Your Own Christian Missionary Project!!
Become a Partner with Encouragement, Inc. to maximize your mission dollars.
$35,000. will train and send 10 national missionaries a year to the Un-reached Peoples Group of Buddhists in Myanmar.
(Additionally, 30 other students are also being trained for the next years Graduation....for this same $35,000.)
Please contact us for further information.