Owning a Bible
David’s Bible education program in Myanmar began in 2022 with a single two-month training course for a small group of 15 students. It turned out there was an enormous need for this kind of education! Now, in 2026, short- and long-term training courses are being offered at six different locations in Myanmar. For 18-year-old Aung, one such Bible training course marked the beginning of a new direction in his life….
When we previously wrote about the plans for a Bible school in Bago, the focus was primarily on the launch. It is now clear that this school has become part of a broader initiative. David and his team are offering Bible training courses in multiple cities and in various formats. Some last one month, others two or three months. In Taungoo, a two-year program has even been launched, and students can also enroll in a nine-month online course.
That growth did not stem from a plan to expand as quickly as possible,
but from a response to the hunger for God’s Word that David and his team encountered.
During their visits to churches, they consistently observed the same problem: many believers wanted to follow Jesus but had few opportunities to get to know the Bible well. Local congregations did not always have the Bibles, people, or resources needed to provide systematic instruction. As a result, new believers in particular were vulnerable.
Education That Goes Beyond the Classroom
That is why David focuses on church members, leaders, evangelists, and future missionaries. During the training sessions, they study the Bible and receive instruction on discipleship, leadership, and evangelism. They also participate in outreach activities. This allows them to immediately put what they learn into practice and later apply it in their own church, village, or city.
Starting in 2022, approximately ten to fifteen students participated in the missionary training each year; in the years that followed, the number of training sessions and students grew every year. In the first eight months of 2026, 120 people have already been trained. David is praying that this number will reach about 200 by the end of the year. Nine Bible training sessions are scheduled throughout the year in Yangon, Bago, Taungoo, Mandalay, and Taunggyi, in addition to the longer and online programs.
My very first Bible
For many participants, the training begins with something that seems quite ordinary for many : their own Bible. In Myanmar, however, this is not a given for many believers. By 2026, David and his team had already distributed 250 Bibles to people eager to get to know God’s Word.
Such a Bible doesn’t just sit on a shelf. Students use it during classes, read from it together, and take it with them when they visit others. The combination of having their own Bible, intensive instruction, and practical application helps them grow personally and help others grow as well.
Can you help my son?
One of the mothers who had heard about the Bible school sought out David personally. The eighteen-year-old boy—we’ll call him Aung to protect his privacy—had become entangled in alcohol and drugs at a young age, and they had been controlling his life for quite some time. His health had suffered as a result. School and work had fallen by the wayside, and he had little interest in the faith of his Christian parents.
His mother asked if he was welcome after all. David replied that Aung could come if he was open to it. The team would start with the basics and guide him through the Bible step by step.
The early days weren’t easy. Aung had to get used to the routine, the food, and the school’s rules. During the first week, the lessons focused on salvation; after that, on the Bible. When the leaders asked what they could pray for, he spoke honestly about his health and his desire to get to know Jesus.
During the lessons, he began to see his life differently. He decided to break with his old habits and gave his life to Jesus. David says that Aung is now actively participating in the training and preparing for his baptism. For his mother, this is the answer to a deep longing. She asked the team to continue mentoring her son and to help him grow further in the Bible.
A Name Behind the Growth
The numbers show just how quickly Bible education is growing. Aung’s story illustrates why that growth matters. Each training session brings people together—each with their own history, questions, and longing for a new beginning. They receive time, attention, and a Bible they can continue to read on their own.
David wants to equip more believers in this way in the coming years. This requires teaching materials, Bibles, food, and lodging. Some students travel long distances, and local teachers and staff need consistent support to continue offering the training sessions.
Help Keep Bible Education Going
With a monthly contribution, you can help David and his team train new groups, distribute Bibles, and mentor students throughout their training.