Chin Do Kham (1959—2013)

Country of Origin

Myanmar

Countries/Regions of Ministry

Myanmar
United States

Traditions

Pentecostal

Ministries

Evangelist
Missionary
Theological educator
Pastor

Chin Do Kham was a Zomi Pentecostal evangelist, missionary educator, pastor, and community leader who helped connect Zomi Pentecostal Christianity in Myanmar and the emerging diaspora with the wider global Pentecostal movement. Through Spirit-empowered evangelism, theological education, mentorship, translation, and community leadership, he influenced a generation of Zomi ministers and emerging leaders.

Kham was born on March 19, 1959, in Saipimual, Tonzang Township, Chin State, Myanmar, to Lam Za Cin and Cing Za Dim. He grew up in a Christian farming family and later described himself as a “jungle boy.” At nineteen, Kham sensed God calling him to become “a prophet to the nations.” Although such a calling seemed far beyond his circumstances, he recalled that he “took God at his word.”

That conviction took Kham from Myanmar to ministry and study in Singapore, South Korea, and the United States. He completed a Discipleship Training School with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Singapore and later pursued graduate studies in South Korea while participating in ministry associated with Yoido Full Gospel Church. While studying in South Korea, Kham married Siraporn Add of Thailand in 1990; they later had two children, Mary and Joshua. During school breaks, he traveled in evangelistic ministry and testified to numerous conversions and healings. His pastoral ministry began at Grace Assembly of God in Yangon and later included service at Eastland Assembly in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Community Gospel Church in Melrose Park, Illinois, and Lighthouse of Hope Assembly in Chicago. He earned a Doctor of Ministry from Oral Roberts University (1994) and a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies from Trinity International University (1998).

Kham later served as a missionary educator under the appointment of the Assemblies of God World Mission (USA) at Asia Pacific Theological Seminary in the Philippines (1998–2002). He was Dean of Students and Professor of Missions and Leadership as he directed its Doctor of Ministry program. At the same time, he helped pioneer doctoral-level ministerial education among church leaders in Yangon. He also taught at Oral Roberts University and directed its M.A. Missions program (2006–2007).

Kham intentionally invested in the development of younger Zomi Christian leaders. His journey from a remote farming village to international ministry and advanced theological education became a powerful example as he encouraged younger Zomi Christians to pursue education and develop their God-given potential. Kham Khai later recalled that Kham “paved the way” for him to study at Oral Roberts University; Khai subsequently became pastor of Myanmar Christian Church in Tulsa. Kham also encouraged his cousin, Cin Khaw Kham, to study at Oral Roberts University; he later became pastor of Far East Mission Church and president of Far East Bible College in Tulsa.

Kham was instrumental in initiating the Tedim-language translation of the Full Life Study Bible, later known as the Fire Bible. He helped raise funds, organize the translation committee, and assemble translators, laying groundwork for making Pentecostal biblical and theological resources accessible to Tedim-speaking Christians.

As Zomi migration increased, Kham provided leadership among diaspora communities in the United States and internationally. One Tulsa newspaper credited him with helping initiate migration that contributed to the growth of Tulsa’s Zomi community.^[1] Following Cyclone Nargis in 2008, Kham raised funds, helped build hundreds of stilt houses for displaced families, and distributed food to children in affected communities in Myanmar. His writings also introduced the Chin revival and Pentecostalism in Myanmar to a wider scholarly audience.

Kham died of an apparent heart attack on October 13, 2013, in Laurel, Maryland, while traveling for preaching and ministry. From a Zomi farm boy who heard a call “to the nations,” he became an evangelist, missionary educator, mentor, pastor, and community leader whose enduring legacy is evident in the leaders he inspired, the Pentecostal resources he helped make accessible, and the bridges he built between Zomi Christianity and the global Spirit-empowered movement. His vision for integrating theological learning, pastoral ministry, and evangelistic passion was captured in a challenge he often gave to younger leaders: “Have a scholar’s mind, a pastor’s heart, and the passion of an evangelist.”

Lian Mung
Far East Bible College

NOTES:

[1] Bill Sherman, “The God Blog: Chin Do Kham’s Extraordinary Global Influence,” Tulsa World, February 18, 2019, TulsaWorld.com.

For Further Reading:

Kham, Chin Do. “The Untold Story: The Impact of Revival Among the Chin People in Myanmar.” Journal of Asian Mission 1, no. 2 (September 1999).
Kham, Chin Do. “Myanmar.” In The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, ed. Stanley M. Burgess and Eduard M. van der Maas. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.
Kham, Chin Do. “Partnership Issues and Challenges in Asian Mission.” In Asian Church and God’s Mission, ed. by Wonsuk Ma and Julie C. Ma, 43–60. Manila: OMF Literature, 2003.
Kham Khai and Samuel Khai. “Reaching Burmese Americans with Gospel.” In The New Generation & The Holy Spirit: Building a Spirit-Empowered Future, ed. Wonsuk Ma et al., 103–107. Tulsa, OK: ORU Press, 2025.