Welcome to episode 9 of our series discussing the history of Burmese American Christianity (Pearl Dive episode 228)! This series is part of Fuller AACHI’s Burma Diaspora Christianity Project led by Dr. Joseph Cheah and Dr. David Moe.

In this captivating episode of The Pearl Dive, Dr. David Moe sits down with Reverend Dr. Maung Maung Htwe, pastor of the Overseas Burmese Christian Fellowship (OBCF) in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Maung reflects deeply on his roots within the Pokhran Karen ethnic group in Myanmar, detailing how a compelling tribal folklore about a lost “golden book” paved the way for early Christian missions. He also opens up about his own unexpected path to ministry, transitioning from a chemistry major seeking to work abroad to answering a distinct divine calling.

Stepping away from traditional hierarchical authority, Dr. Maung shares his refreshing approach to pastoring, which heavily prioritizes deep hospitality, friendship, and practical support. Listeners will hear the remarkable origin story of OBCF, which began in the 1990s as a Bible study group right across from the Harvard Stadium, and has since bloomed into one of the most ethnically diverse migrant congregations in America. From navigating complex multi-ethnic unity to cooking traditional Burmese mohinga soup for homesick students and families, Dr. Maung explores what true spiritual growth looks like in a modern immigrant church.

Burma Christian Diaspora in Indianapolis: Celebrating Our Stories, Embracing Our Challenges

You are warmly invited to attend the 2026 Our Story, Our Faith (OSOF) Conference: Burma Christian Diaspora in Indianapolis: Celebrating Our Stories, Embracing Our Challenges, taking place August 7–8, 2026 in Indianapolis, IN, and online.

📍Dates: August 7–8, 2026📍In-Person Location: Falam Baptist Church of Indiana in Indianapolis, IN📍Virtual Attendance: Airmeet

Glossary

* Po Karen (Pokhran) – One of the major ethnic and linguistic subdivisions of the Karen people in Myanmar, primarily situated in the Irrawaddy Delta region.

* The Lost Golden Book Folklore – A traditional Karen folk story predicting that a long-lost sacred book would eventually be returned to the community by a “white-faced brother,” a narrative that heavily resonated with the introduction of the Bible by early western missionaries like Adoniram Judson.

* Overseas Burmese Christian Fellowship (OBCF) – Founded in Boston around 1993–1994 by Harvard Divinity School student Dr. Maung Maung Yen, it began as a localized apartment Bible study and formally affiliated with the American Baptist Church in 1997.

* Mohinga – A traditional Burmese rice noodle and fish soup, often considered a staple breakfast food and a vital cultural touchstone for the Burmese diaspora community.

Discussion Questions

* Christ Through Culture: Dr. David Moe suggests expanding H. Richard Niebuhr’s famous Christ and Culture typologies to include “Christ through culture,” pointing to how the Karen “lost golden book” folklore anticipated the Gospel message. How does this challenge or shift how we traditionally think about the intersection of indigenous cultures and Western missionary efforts?

* Redefining Church Growth: Dr. Maung notes that while OBCF hasn’t grown numerically over its decades in Boston, he has observed profound transformation in individual members’ spirituality and priorities. In a ministry culture often obsessed with size and “megachurch” statistics, how can churches learn to measure and celebrate localized, organic spiritual growth?

* The Ministry of Availability: Rather than viewing pastoring as an administrative or strictly pulpit-driven role, Dr. Maung views himself as a caseworker, friend, and cook. What are the practical costs and spiritual rewards of adopting a posture of friendship over institutional hierarchy in pastoral leadership?

* Cultivating Intentional Multi-Ethnic Unity: Migrant churches frequently split along singular ethnic and linguistic lines. Yet, OBCF consciously brings together Chinese, Bamar, Karen, Chin, Kachin, and other sub-groups. How does Dr. Maung’s personal background of “growing up without ethnic bias” serve as a model for church leaders looking to maintain peace and unity across highly diverse communities?

This podcast series is funded by the APARRI Working Grant and the American Baptist Home Mission Societies.

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