Christine Stride is Executive Assistant to the Baptist National Leader and works at the Baptist National Support Centre in Auckland. She is a member of Titirangi Baptist Church in Auckland.
Despite being 10,000km away, the disaster in Myanmar caused by the earthquake hits Waiheke Island Baptist Church pastor Roi Nu Maran particularly hard.
Roi Nu is from Manje Village in northern Myanmar, where her mum and younger brother still live.
Her family home is made of wood, and so escaped much damage, she says, unlike concrete buildings such as Manje Baptist Church, which has been severely affected, as you can see in the photo.
The church’s structure is unsafe, the bell tower has collapsed, and the surrounding area is heavily damaged. For a village of around 745 people, over half of whom are Christians, this church has been a vital spiritual shelter and communal hub, not only for Manje but also for three surrounding sister churches.
Manje, along with many other rural areas, has received no aid so far. The region also continues to experience violence due to ongoing military conflict. Access to food, shelter, medical care, and communication remains extremely limited.
With the rainy season looming, the need to rebuild and restore safe gathering spaces like the church is critical.
Auckland’s Windsor Park Baptist Church has set up a donation fund to support emergency relief and help rebuild the Manje Baptist Church (Waiheke Island Baptist Church is a campus of WPBC).
Your donations will go directly toward:
- Emergency aid for those affected in Manje Village.
- Rebuilding the local church to restore hope and connection.
- Providing essential supplies and support for long-term recovery.
Photo: Roi Nu and her brother Sha Roi Maran, Pastor of Chinese Christians (Pangsang Township in Wa State) outside Manje Baptist Church in 2017.
Roi Nu, who came to New Zealand as a refugee fleeing the ongoing civil war, is part of the Kachin ethnic group and has lived in New Zealand for nearly 17 years.
Growing up, Roi Nu and her siblings were involved in Manje Baptist Church, and on return visits to her hometown after coming to New Zealand, Roi Nu would always help teach Sunday School there.
Roi Nu says Manje Baptist Church, the Kachin community and the people of Myanmar would deeply appreciate your prayers.
The online Windsor Park Myanmar Appeal has now ended, but you can donate directly via the Windsor Park bank account: 02-0120-0110554-01 (BNZ, Browns Bay). Please use the reference Myanmar Appeal 2025.
Photos: Supplied
