Welcome to episode two of our series discussing the history of Burmese Christianity (Pearl Dive episode 221)! This series is part of Fuller’s Burma Diaspora Christianity Project led by Dr. Joseph Cheah and Dr. David Moe.

Before the cross or the pagoda ever touched the soil of Burma, the land was alive with the whispers of the Nat. In this episode of Pearl Dive, we travel into the heart of the Burma Diaspora Christianity project. Hosts Tim Tseng, Dr. Joseph Cheah, and Dr. David Moe peel back the layers of history to reveal how ancient folk traditions — centered on powerful spirits and sacred landscapes — continue to pulse beneath the surface of modern Burmese American faith. It’s a journey that challenges everything you thought you knew about where “tradition” ends and “religion” begins.

We aren’t just talking history; we’re talking identity. By integrating the lived narratives of the Burmese diaspora, this episode uncovers how pre-Buddhist folk religions were never truly erased but were instead woven into the very fabric of Christian life. Whether you’re interested in Asian American theology or the mysterious intersection of unseen forces and organized faith, this conversation offers a priceless pearl of wisdom for a global audience. Get ready to explore the spiritual geography of a people whose faith is as deep and complex as the land they call home.

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