Myanmar Baptist Pastor Killed by Military Junta After 25 Years of Service
Reverend William, senior pastor of Chungcung Baptist Church in Myanmar's Chin State, was killed by the country's military in early June after being detained in May. He had led the congregation for 25 years. A memorial service was held August 26 in his village.
Reverend William, the senior pastor of Chungcung Baptist Church in Myanmar's Chin State, was killed by the country's military in early June 2026. He had served the congregation for 25 years.
William and an associate, Nam Ceu, were detained by Myanmar's 77th Light Infantry Division on May 16 at a farm shelter about one mile from the village of Chungcung. Three others escaped during the encounter. William stayed behind, believing his identity as a pastor would protect him.
The Burma Research Institute (BRI) confirmed both men were killed on June 4. The military accused William of supporting the Hakha Chinland Defense Force, an armed group resisting the junta that seized power in February 2021.
A memorial service was held August 26 in Chungcung, attended by residents and pastors from Hakha, the Chin State capital. William is survived by his wife and five children.
"We grieve with his family, his congregation, and our Chin brothers and sisters everywhere," said Reverend Robin Stoops, BRI board chairman and former associate general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA.
Chungcung has suffered repeated attacks since the 2021 coup. BRI reports that troops have burned or destroyed 118 houses in the village, killed 16 civilians, and wounded five others. The Chungcung Baptist Church itself was looted and damaged by troops in October 2021.
Open Doors ranks Myanmar 14th on its 2026 World Watch List for severity of Christian persecution, with a score of 81 out of 100. The organization estimates 4.6 million Christians live in Myanmar, about 8.4 percent of the population.
The United States has designated Myanmar a "Country of Particular Concern" for religious freedom violations since 1999.
