Burmese Christian Fellowship

Our Vision - Sharing the Good News of God's redemptive love in Jesus Christ and discipling all those who respond.
(Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8)

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

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.
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.
In 2008, Rev. Thra Livingstone Zan was ordained and serves the Lord as Associate Pastor.
In 2012, B.C.F. moved to Saint Luke's Episcopal Church of Monrovia.
In 2015, The Lord has Blessed us with a New Church Building. Located at 1337 Farmstead Ave, La Puente CA 91745.

Pastoral Associates and Pastoral Staff who had served with Senior Pastor Rev. Henry Ang
1977-1979	Rev Henry Ang
1980-1982	Rev. Peter Cooper (Associate Pastor)
1985-1988	Thra Samuel Saw (Associate Pastor)
1989-1990	Rev. Henry Ang
1991-1996	Saya Eddie Hang
1997	Saya Eddie Hang U Mya Aye Daw Khin Aye Yii
1998	Saya Eddie Hang U Mya Aye
1999	Rev. Hkun Gam Lahpai (Associate Pastor) Saya Eddie Hang Saya Ceu Lian Thang Saya Ricky Hla
2000	Rev. Hkun Gam Lahpai (Associate Pastor) Saya Ricky Hla Saya Livingstone Zan Sayama Hsi Mu Shein
2001-2002	Rev. Than Htun Myat (Associate Pastor) Saya Ricky Hla Saya Livingstone Zan Sayama Hsi Mu Shein
2003	Rev. Livingstone Zan (Associate Pastor) Rev. Ricky Hla Rev. Tom Wan Sayama Hsi Mu Shein
2010	Rev. Livingstone Zan (Associate Pastor) Sayama Hsi Mu Shein
A list of Presidents since the formation of the Burmese Christian Fellowship
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
2007-2008	Mr. Kyi Shinn
2009-2010	Mr. John Ma
2011-2012	Mr. Kyi Shinn
2013-2014	Dr. Charles Ang
2015-2016	Mr. Kyi Shinn
2017	Rev. Livingstone Zan
2018-2019	Mr. Kyi Shinn
2020-2021	Mr. Henn Ma
2022-2023	Mr. Kyaw Kyaw Thein
2024	Mr. Henn Ma

Thank God for His faithful hands who has guided us and helped us throughout these years. May God bless all of you who participated in the building of His Church. May our Good Lord continue to lead and guide our church through all the years to come.