Ministry Story
NAD Myanmar Youth Convention
The NAD Myanmar Youth Convention is a groundbreaking multicultural movement uniting the diverse Myanmar diaspora across the North American Division. Led by young adults who started with zero dollars to pull off an event that would have cost over $100,000, the initiative proves that resources follow a clear, faith-driven vision rather than the other way around. Grounded in values of Mission, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, church organizations empowered these youth by handing them the "leadership keys" to architect their own spiritual community. Ultimately, the convention serves as a lasting catalyst by distributing over $20,000 to fund local creative evangelism, equipping attendees to "be the Sermon" in their own neighborhoods.
NAD Myanmar Youth Convention: A Movement Born of Prayer and Innovation
The NAD Myanmar Youth Convention is more than a gathering; it is the first-ever professional spiritual event specifically designed for the diverse people groups of the Myanmar diaspora within the North American Division (NAD). It represents a landmark shift in how ministry is approached—moving from traditional structures to a dynamic, youth-led movement.
Zero Dollars, Infinite Vision
The movement began with a radical leap of faith. When KhaiKhai Cin, Executive Director of NADMAY, stepped forward to cast the vision for a division-wide convention, he started with a baseline of exactly zero dollars for an event that would ultimately cost over $100,000 to execute. Rather than waiting for a budget to dictate their dreams, KhaiKhai and his team of young leaders anchored themselves to a countercultural principle: Vision precedes provision. They committed fiercely to the "What" and the "Why," trusting entirely that the "How" would follow. This bold, vision-first approach became a living testament that resources don't ignite movements—conviction does. As their vision took root, God miraculously opened doors where none existed, moving the hearts of sponsors and organizations to fully fund the dream.
The Genesis: An Answer to Prayer
The inaugural convention (July 5–9, 2023, at Andrews University) was the direct result of this diligent commitment. Recognizing this passion, the North American Division made a historic decision: they handed over the "leadership keys." By granting young adults the freedom to lead creatively, the church transitioned them from mere attendees to the spiritual architects of their own community.
"Bent But Not Broken" The 2023 theme resonated with ~300 attendees from 11 states. It acknowledged the struggles of the refugee and immigrant experience while pointing toward a resilient future in Christ.
"Bent But Not Broken" The 2023 theme resonated with ~300 attendees from 11 states. It acknowledged the struggles of the refugee and immigrant experience while pointing toward a resilient future in Christ.
The Leadership PhilosophyThe Practical ImpactVision First: Money follows a clear calling.Holistic Training: Seminars on mental health, relationships, and mission.Youth Ownership: Given freedom to innovate.Community Outreach: Serving in parks, food drives, and nursing homes.Trust: Organizations trusting youth with the "keys."Tangible Results: Two baptisms and a unified diaspora.
A Commitment to Mission, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The convention is deeply rooted in the values of Mission, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, redefining what a unified body of believers looks like:
Mission: Driven by a holistic approach, the movement empowers young people to go beyond the pews, training them to be active missionaries who serve the specific needs of their local communities.
Diversity: The event intentionally creates a shared space that celebrates and unites the vast array of Myanmar’s distinct ethnic and linguistic groups—such as the Karen, Chin (Zomi), Kachin, and Burmese—bringing them together under one shared purpose.
Equity: The movement levels the playing field by offering substantial financial resources to local youth groups. This ensures that every group, regardless of their local church’s size or financial status, has an equal opportunity to launch impactful creative evangelism projects.
Inclusion: Church organizations moved beyond token representation by fully surrendering leadership to the young adults. The youth are not just invited to participate; they are fully included as the trusted, primary decision-makers and architects of the movement.
More Than a "Spiritual High"
The convention was designed to be a catalyst, not just a week-long emotional peak. The goal was to resource young people to "be the Sermon" in their own neighborhoods. To ensure this wasn't just talk, the movement empowered youth groups with over $20,000 in funding for their own creative evangelism projects. These evangelism dollars weren't just a budget; it was seed money for a generation of "Army of Workers" to launch grassroots missions across the country.
Our Foundational Inspiration
The Purpose:
Supporting refugee and immigrant youth from Myanmar to share Jesus Christ within their church community and beyond.
The Great Commission: I Will GO (Matthew 28:19-20)
The Guiding Word:
"His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine." — Ephesians 3:20 (CEV)
"With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world!" — Ellen White, Education, pg. 271
The Great Commission: I Will GO (Matthew 28:19-20)
The Guiding Word: