Merriment and joy filled the church on Sunday December 19th when PBBC celebrated the birth of Jesus with carols and scriptures about the story of Christmas. Images of Mary, Gabriel, the shepherds and the three wise men and the nativity scene were projected on the screen while scripture verses were read both in English and Karen. Carols were sung by the congregation apart from individuals singing some of the selected songs. The children also contributed an item at the beginning of the program. The pastor of St. John’s Baptist Church Rev. Dave Powles and his family also graced the occasion with their presence and we also had other American friends joining us. Benediction was pronounced by Rev. Powles at the end of the worship program.


There was potluck dinner after the service with various traditional Burmese dishes prepared by groups of members from different localities in Philadelphia. Not only the food was great but presentation of gifts was highlighted by the presence of Santa who distributed gifts to the kids as well as young members and guests. It was truly a happy occasion, especially for the kids from refugee camps to see Santa in person. Everybody went home filled with love, peace and joy of Christmas.

Josh Groban - O Holy Night

Worship Through Music at PBBC on Sunday October 24 - 2010

On Sunday October 24, PBBC held a worship through music program. It was very inspirational to see our members, young an old, glorifying God through their talents in singing and playing various musical instruments.

PBBC ESL Classes

Dr. Saw Wah Htoo led the service at PBBC

On August 15, PBBC had the Bible Sunday program. At this special service we were glad to have Dr. Saw Wah Htoo , retired medical superintendent of Mawlamyaing Christian Special Skin Disease Hospital, who was in US to attend a Gideon Bible Association meeting. When worshippers were given time to recite or read their favorite Bible verses almost all of them participated. It was very encouraging and uplifting to hear each individual gave testimony through these sacred verses.

Dr. Wah Htoo spoke about Psalms 46: 1 taught by his father when he was a young 5 year old boy and its significance in his life. The verse states “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” This verse gave him strength to carry on when he was debarred from his final year of medical study just two months away from graduation. With God’s blessings he was able to graduate eventually. After a few years of private practice in Loikaw, Southern Shan State, he got a call from God to go and work at Mawlamyaing. At first he decided to work there for two years but the scripture text in Matthew 25:40 “…in as much as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me”, prompted him to become God’s servant doctor, and both he and his wife, a physiotherapist continued to work there for more than twenty years. He still sees patients who come to him for treatment as he considers it as a healing ministry. He urged parents to read the Word of God and make their children do the same so that they may know God and be blessed by Him.

Rev. Dr. Maung Maung Yin at PBBC

On August 8, 2010, PBBC was blessed with the visit of Rev. Dr. Maung Maung Yin, Vice Principal of Myanmar Institute of Theology and Pastor of Ywama Baptist Church in Insein, who was on a visit to the US. He preached about God's grcae entitled "Amazing Grace" and the scripture verses selected for that message were (Ps. 103: 1-4; Col. 3: 16-17). Holy Communion was also given by him after the service.

The following is his message in brief.

""Grace, God’s grace, is the significance of Christian faith. There may be some or a few commonalities in Christianity with other living faiths. But, grace is something that stands out in Christianity. A Christian claims God’s grace, receives grace and praises God for receiving it. By God’s grace in Christ, we are saved. Because of grace we survive, and we hope for the better future. In God’s grace, we live, we have our own being, and keep walking towards and working for God’s kingdom at all times. In the power of God’s grace, we extend faith, hope and love to our neighbors, to God’s world and all its inhabitants.""

                                                Group Photo with some of PBBC members