(AUTOBIOGRAPHY)
( 1969 – Present 15th October 2021)
Early Life:
Connally Hla is the third son born to Dr. Sein Han Hla and Naw Carolyn on May 12, 1969 at Hpa-an, Kayin State while the father was working as a medical doctor in Hpa-an Civil Hospital, Kayin State. He has four brothers: two elder ones, Alvin Po Po Hla and David @ Kyi Thu Hla; and two younger brothers: Saw Robert Hla and Saw Aung Hla.
He began his schooling in Magwe in 1974. Grade 1 and the first term of Grade 2 was completed in State Primary School (5) in Magwe township, Magwe Region. When his father received a movement order to transfer to Hpa-an, the whole family moved to Hpa-an and grade 2 (first Standard) studies was completed in State Primary School # (3) during 1975-76 academic year in Hpa-an. He pursued his elementary education at that school up to 1977-78 school year passing Standard 3/Grade 4 at Hpa-an. He got to acquaint himself with Adventist Church children ministry nurturing program while staying and studying there.
In summer of 1978, his family had to move Pyay (Prome) as the head of the family was called to serve there where there was no Adventist presence. Elementary, secondary, and higher secondary education were meticulously pursued in Pyay. Standard 4 was completed at Shwe Gu State Primary School on Htee Su road. Afterward, he attended Standard 5 to 8 at No. (2) State Middle School on Htee Su road. In order to attend Standard 9 and 10, higher secondary education in Myanmar, he eventually joined No (1). State High School of Pyay and he successfully passed Standard 10 (Matriculation) in 1985.
Education/Marriage:
Connally began his tertiary education as a student of Oriental Studies major in Yangon University, Hlaing Campus in December 1985. After a few months he changed his field of studies to natural science, Chemistry in Pyay (Prome) College. Two years were spent in Pyay and afterward the first year of honour class studies was assigned in Yangon University Main Campus in 1987-88 academic year. While taking classes there he stayed at Thahton Hall in Yangon University. Schooling was interrupted due to political upheaval in the country that caused a nationwide closure of universities and colleges about three years. In 1989-90 school year, he was privileged to attend the Myanmar Union Adventist Seminary at Myaungmya for a year and passed the Division College Eligibility Certificate examination of Southern Asia Division. Although the length of study was relatively short, he experienced the uniqueness of Adventist Education and it has shaped his life and experience in a dynamic way. Especially, the spiritual atmosphere, curricular and philosophical settings have made a far reaching impact on his life and choices. On the one hand the political difficulties prolonged for few more years in Myanmar and on the other hand there were some openings to travel and study abroad. Therefore in the following year, he joined the Spicer Memorial College in November 1990. In the very first semester he passed the English proficiency test and began his studies in general education requirement subjects. Beginning from the subsequent semesters he began to study religious philosophy and biblical languages as a combination for the preparation of gospel ministry. Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree was obtained in March 1994 and he continued to pursue Master of Arts program in Religion. He completed all the requirements in March 1996. It was at the Andrews University Extension Center, Spicer Memorial College and the additional requirements were augmented to enhance the impact for mission and ministry in the oriental contexts.
Connally Hla married Shwe Zin Aung, the daughter of U Aung Myaing and Daw Hla Tin on May 10, 1998 at Yangon Central Church. The matrimonial service was officiated by Pastor Kenneth Thang Suanzanang. Though the parents were non-believers, Shwe Zin Aung was a converted Adventist who loves and serves God with her whole heart. She studied as a Global Mission scholar at MUAS and graduated for the Bachelor of Business Administration degree in March 1998.
Career/Ministry
Myannmar Union Adventist Seminary was in a transition stage to become a full-fledged accredited Adventist institution in 1996. Right after his graduation a call was passed to him from the controlling committee of the seminary. It was a providential opening for him to commence his service in a field of Myanmar Union Mission. Immediately he returned and assumed the instructor responsibilities in May 1996. In 1997 he was called to fill the position of librarian at the Seminary. Preparations were made for the Adventist Accrediting Association on site visit and evaluation at MUAS. AAA evaluation team made the first visit in 1998 and the MUAS obtained its denominational accreditation as a tertiary level institution. In order to access better collection of academic books, corporate membership link was established with British Council library so that faculty and students could have access to better and broader sources of information. In 2001 August, he was upgraded to take up Ph.D in religion at Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, Philippines. It took five years and he completed his studies in 2006. While studying as a full-time student he served as Deacon, Elder, Personal Ministries Secretary, and Vice-President of Religious Affairs of Student Association at AIIAS Church and community.
In August 2006, he resumed his teaching at MUAS. While teaching at the Seminary he was also assigned as the Seminary Chaplain/Pastor in 2007. In March 29, 2008 he was ordained for the gospel ministry at Pyin Oo Lwin Union-wide Convention of Myanmar Union Mission. While serving as the Chaplain of the Seminary additional assignment was added to be the head of the Religion Department in 2010. Myanmar Union Mission constituency meeting at the end of 2010, the quinquennial session, the Board of Trustee of MUAS appointed him be the president of the Seminary effective January 1, 2011.
As an educator in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, he participated in various school evaluation activities in Myanmar and abroad. In Myanmar, he worked with the Southern Asia-Pacific Division Department of Education school evaluation for Ayeyarwady Adventist Seminary and Central Myanmar Adventist Seminary. Besides, he also participated in the General Conference Education Department school evaluation as accreditor and involved in Adventist Accrediting Association on site visits to Bangladesh Adventist Seminary and College (2014, August 8-11), Central Philippines Adventist College (2015, Sept.,8), Mountain View College (2015, Sept., 17), Pakistan Adventist Seminary and College (2016, Mar 14-17), and Asia-Pacific International University (2019, Nov).
Covid 19 pandemic occurred in the end of 2019-20 academic year and the following academic year 2020-21 school year was conducted by online mode of instructions and teachings for the students. Moreover, as the pandemic lingers on to 2021-22 school year and the effect of domestic Covid 19 pandemic occurred in the end of 2019-20 academic year and the following academic year 2020-21 school year was conducted by online mode of instructions and teachings for the students. Moreover, as the pandemic lingers on to 2021-22 school year and the effect of domestic political turmoil in Myanmar, MUAS has to continue with online and distant correspondence instructions and education.