23 Rangers Baptized in Karen State

We express our joy at baptizing 23 believers this year during Ranger training. We thank God, as this was the largest group of Rangers ever to be baptized at camp. After 78 years of civil war and nearly five years since the 2021 military coup, our Rangers and the people of Burma have endured significant trials and struggles. Many have endured the pain of losing family members, friends, and homes. Some have been physically wounded and others have given their lives. In this situation, it is easy to despair as death seems to triumph over life. But even in these most desperate of circumstances, Jesus offers hope, promising abundant life to all and redemption of all that has been lost.

FBR has been focusing its efforts to minister to Ranger students. During the two-month training this year, Ranger instructors shared daily devotionals, hosted Bible studies, organized worship nights, and practiced discipleship with the Ranger students. In recent years, our Gospel Partnership Department has grown our Relief Team Chaplain training program, further expanding the role and presence of Gospel ministry at Ranger training. We praise God for providing vision and laborers to help share and reveal the promises of God.

These baptized Rangers come from a myriad of backgrounds and beliefs, and now they have reached a life turning-point by following God through Jesus. Some Rangers were raised in nominally Christian homes, and others never had the chance to be baptized before. Still more Rangers came from Buddhist or other non-Christian backgrounds, where Christianity was often discouraged.

Ranger Abigail (name changed) from Shan State, said she did not want to delay her baptism after feeling blocked from Christianity growing up: “Tomorrow is not sure, so I want to get baptized now.” Abigail said she had Christian neighbors growing up, but her family is Buddhist and they didn’t like her to go to the Christian house. However, Abigail was “really interested in Christianity and never had the chance to read the Bible.” After coming to FBR, she said she feels “safety, joy, and warmth lived with Christian community . . . [while reading the] Bible and [going] to church . . . . I got so much encouragement to follow Jesus from my friend and [from] other testimonies.”

Another Ranger, Naw Lay (name changed), from Karen State shared the situation she faced with her family regarding her decision to be baptized: “Pray for me . . . when I decided myself to baptize, my grandmother doesn't allow me to [get baptized]. She told me that, ‘If you baptize, you don't need to come back to home anymore’. . . . so I need a prayer to change her heart . . . so that when I go back to her, she will allow me.”

One of our advanced FBR instructors, Raymond, shared how the war wrecked his life, but he now feels restored by God’s hope. “Before the coup, I had a job with a regular salary and felt very proud. I did not believe in God and only relied on myself.” Raymond was from a Buddhist family and had many conflicts with his father, who was a Buddhist monk, and Raymond did not believe in Buddhism. Raymond was forced to leave his family, girlfriend, job, and home due to the fighting, and he had no identification or work. Raymond raised one hand high: “I used to be up here, and then I went down to here,” lowering his hand to the floor. “I struggled with depression... and I almost committed suicide. [FBR] said I could pray to Jesus, even as a non-believer, and I started to pray and go to church. I got a free meal from church.”

Raymond’s pastor friend let him stay at his house, and he asked him many questions about Christianity. “Now I feel like someone's got my back and don't feel lonely anymore, [I have] so many encouragements and hope to face my life.”

Two of our foreign volunteers decided to be baptized alongside the Rangers as a public declaration of their faith.

Ashley, a man who has volunteered in the area for many years, spoke about why he decided, somewhat spontaneously, to join in on the baptism: "I was baptized 30 years ago, in 1996, in St. Clubury. At that time, I meant it, but my foundations were very weak. In the years since, I feel it has been a journey. Especially in the last two to three years, I've felt the great joy of Jesus' heart. And it has become more and more real to me. So I thought it's time to recommit my life to Jesus. When I came on this mission nearly three weeks ago, that was not my plan. But spending time with the Rangers, the inspiration to see how the Spirit moves and inspires people was very significant for me."

The other foreign volunteer, Shannon, shared the impact of his similarly spontaneous decision: "There was no thought-out plan to get baptized. Earlier, I felt the Holy Spirit descend on the camp. It was unmistakable and very moving. Down at the river, when the others were getting baptized, the same sense occurred. For me, the choice to get baptized at camp was the unity of the Holy Spirit at this place and time. Looking in the water and seeing Dave and Pastor Edmund, two people I respect and love, made the decision perfect and easy. I am still basking in the glow of it. I will remember it for a long time."

For us at FBR, the Ranger baptisms were a celebration of the freedom that we have in Jesus, as he washes away our sins and restores our relationship with God. While Rangers were being baptized one by one in the river, the rest of us enjoyed the warmth of the sun and sang 'Nothing but the Blood', a hymn that reminds us of the new righteousness we have in God:

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh precious is the flow that makes me white as snow;

No other fount I know; nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Thanks and God bless,

Dave, family, and the Free Burma Rangers