(AUTOBIOGRAPHY)
( 1932 – Present 15th October 2021)
Eartly Life
Rozama was born on 12th August 1958 at Tahan, Kalay township, Upper Myanmar.1 His father, Hualliana (1932-202…) was born at Tualte village, Mizoram State, India and his mother, Liankungi (1936-2013) was born at Tahan, Kalay, Sagaing Region, Upper Myanmar. His parents are the tribe of Mizo and they were Methodists. Being the church elder and interested in religion, his father accepted Seventh-day Adventist Bible teachings from Pastor Zakhuma in 1960.2 His siblings from the eldest were Mrs. Thanzami, Mr. Rozama, Mrs. Rangchhingpuii, Mrs. Lalrinsangi, Mrs. Lalrampari, Mr. Lallianzuala, Mr. Lalzuithanga, Mr. Zarzoliana, Mrs. Hmingthanzaui, Mr. Vanlalngaia, and Mrs. Vulmawii. He lived with his parents with financial limitation as the family was big.
Education and Marriage (1963-1987)
Rozama started school June 1, 1963. Since there was no Seventh-day Adventist Church school he could reach, he attended the government schools. He failed final examinations at grade 2 and grade 7, as he did not take exams on the Sabbath. But later, God opened ways for him to take exams on the other days instead of on the Sabbath. He was baptized by Pastor Ngul Khaw Pau at Sakhangyi, Kalay district on 27th October 1973.3 As the family was big, he could not continue school for five years for financial limitation. In 1980, he continued school at grade 10 as a private candidate because he jumped from grade 7 to 10, yet he passed it with a distinction at Adventist Mission High School at Tarbyay, Taungngu district, Central Myanmar Mission.4 He continued school as self-supported student for 5 years at Myanmar Union Adventist Seminary, Myaungmya, Ayeawady Mission. He passed grade 12 (Division College Eligibility Certificate) affiliated of Spicer Memorial College, Pune, India and awarded the first prize in his class by the Union in 1983.5 He earned a diploma, Ministerial Training Certificate at the Seminary in December 1985.6 After the seminary, his first responsibility was teaching at the Upper Myanmar Adventist Secondary Seminary (UMAS), Kalay district, Upper Myanmar in 1986-87 school years.7
He married to Ms. Vanlalthani, a born-Seventh-day Adventist, the daughter of Mr. Bulpuia and Mrs. Kawlthangi, Tuingo, Kalay district on March 10, 1987.8 Her siblings from the eldest are Mr. Vanlalthani, Mr. Lalchhandama, Mrs. Sanglianchhiari, Mr. Tawnsangzuala, Mr. Vanlalsawma, and Mr. Lalsiamhlua. They have four children, from the eldest with their educations are Mr. Vanlalnghaka (Computer diploma, USA); Ms. Lalfakmawii (MBA, Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies {AIIAS}, Philippines); Mr. Lalnunthara (BBA, Myaungmya); and Mr. Lalnunzira, (BA in Religion, Myaungmya, and a student pursuing a master of divinity at AIIAS, Philippines).
Career/Ministry (1987-2021)
He was regularized as a licensed minister on January 1,1987, and transferred to Khampat, Tamu district and served as the church pastor and headmaster of the church seminary.9 In 1989, he was transferred to Bokkan, Tamu district and served as the church pastor and evangelist.10 He participated at an evangelistic meeting at Tuingo in which elder Chawngbawiha was the speaker.11 In 1992, he conducted evangelistic meetings among Kuki tribe at Jangaophai, Tamu.12 He with Bokkan church elder, Mr. Lalbuanga conducted the first evangelistic meetings at Weitoke, a Buddhist village where the chief elder invited him to preach them again. In 1992, he was transferred back to Khampat and served as the church pastor and principal of the church school.13 In 1993 he wrote a book, “Commentary on the Letter of Romans” in Mizo dialect as required by an organized workers and lay people.14 He was transferred to Indaingone, Kalay district and served as the church pastor and headmaster of the church school.15 He participated in a city evangelistic meeting at Falam, Hakha district, in which the speaker was Elder Chawngbawiha.16
In 1996, he was transferred to Tuingo, Kalay district and served as the church pastor and principal of the church school.17 While serving in the gospel ministry, he studied summer programs and earned a Bachelor of Art in Religion from Myanmar Union Seminary in 1997.18 In 1998, he conducted evangelistic meetings with his students.19 In 2000, he was transferred to Tahan, within the same district and served as the church pastor, principal and treasurer of the school.20 He started translation of Adult Sabbath School Quarterlies and Mission News into Mizo in 2000.21 He supervised in building the two school administration buildings in 2001. Wherever he served as a principal, he used to preach the Bible to his students, which resulted baptism each year.
In 2002, he was appointed as the director of Sabbath School and Personal Ministries department, and transferred to the Mission Headquarters at Pyinoolwin.22 He was ordained into the gospel ministry on April 6, 2002.23 He finished a Master of Art (in Educational Administration) from AIIAS, Philippines as a distant learner in Yangon in October 2003.24
In 2003, he preached at Khampat evangelistic meetings.25 He conducted Revelation Seminar among Kuki tribe at Kwigyi, Homalin in 2004.26 He with Pastor Ral Lian, the district leader conducted evangelistic meetings among Zaniat tribe at Ralum, Chawngkua and Ngaizam, Falam district, Chin state in 2005.27 In 2006, he participated in a city evangelistic meetings at Pyinoolwin, in which the speaker was Albert C. Gulfan, president of Southern Asia-Pacific Division.28 He conducted evangelistic meetings at Tuingo among Mizo tribe,29 and Tuivar (Pyinkhonlay) to Burmese people, a Buddhist group of Kyaungtaih, who promised to be Christians if only the speaker lives at their village.30 In May 2007, he conducted evangelistic meetings among Laimi tribe at Zonuam, Tahan district.31 In 2008, he preached at evangelistic meetings among Mizo tribe at Khampat.32 In 2010, he conducted evangelistic meetings among Hakha tribe at Dawn, Hakha district.33 He initiated 14 different Bible charts in English with vinyl form and used them in evangelistic meetings at Bokkan.34 He led a city evangelistic meeting at Falam, in which the speaker was Mr. Lalrodinga, a youth preacher in 2010.35
In 2011, he was appointed as the Mission Executive Secretary, Communication/Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, and Health Ministries director for 2011-2015.36 In 2011, he conducted evangelistic meetings among the tribes of Shan and Wa in Lashio, Shan state.37 He participated as the translator for the speaker at Tahan city evangelistic meetings, in which the speaker was Dr. Pastor Kevin C. Costello, the Associate Secretary-Treasurer, Southern Asia Pacific Division, Philippines.38 He prepared the first Upper Myanmar Mission Employee Handbook and Terms of Reference in 2013.39 He conducted reaping evangelistic meetings among Mizo tribe at Tuingo.40 Upper Myanmar Mission Record Center was began by him during that year. 41
In 2014, he prepared “Bible Study Charts” in Myanmar,42 Mizo and Tedim.43 He translated a book, “Questions and Answers on the Sabbath and Sunday,” written by Pr. P. L. Biakchhawna from Mizo into Myanmar.44 In 2015, he participated at Tahan city evangelistic meetings, the speaker was P. L. Biakchhawna.45 He prepared “Integrated Evangelism Life-style Handbook,” in Myanmar and Mizo, and used it in Myanmar Union.46 He was re-appointed and served as the Mission Executive Secretary and PARL/Communication director for 2016-2020.47 In 2017, He contributed an article for Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia: “Upper Myanmar Mission,”48 He translated Child Dedication Certificate from English to Mizo.49 In 2018, he conducted two evangelistic meetings among Zotung tribe at Yaungneh, Gangaw district, among Lisu tribe and Mizo tribe at Kywenadauh and Ywathitkalay, Pyinoolwin.50 In 2019, he led evangelistic meetings among Mizo tribe, in which the speaker was a lay preacher, Mr. Hrangthangvunga at Sanmyo, Kalay district, and he conducted evangelistic meetings among Zotung tribe at Rezua, Gangaw district.51 He edited and adopted Baptismal Certificate in Mizo.52 In 2020, he translated “The Road to the Eternal New World,” a book written in Mizo by Elder Tlanglianthanga into Myanmar, and distributed around the Union.53
Rozama believes that, by God’s grace, he experienced and learned many things in undertaking various responsibilities in His Church by conducting and/or attending trainings, seminars, conventions, and membership audits for and with employees and lay peoples in and out of Myanmar, namely, Thailand, Vietnam, and United States of America.
Contributions
Rozama has contributed some materials which were distributed inside and outside the Union, and uploaded in Internet Facebook pages, which are mentioned above as follows:
(1) Books written: (a) “Commentary on the Letter of Romans;” and, (b) “Integrated Evangelism Life-style Handbook;” distributed around the Union;
(2) Bible Study Aids: “Bible Study Charts,” distributed within and outside of Myanmar;
(3) Translations of Books: (a) “Questions and Answers on the Sabbath and Sunday;” and, (b) “The Road to the Eternal New World,” distributed in and outside the Union also in Mizoram State, India ; (4) Articles in ESDA: Encyclopedia: “Upper Myanmar Mission;” uploaded in Adventist Internet page.
Author: Rozama graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Myanmar Union Adventist Seminary, Myanmar and a Master’s degree in Education in Administration from Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, Philippines. He served as evangelist-pastor, principal in elementary and secondary schools, departments of the Upper Myanmar Mission in Sabbath School/Personal Ministries, Communication/Public Relation and Religious Liberty/Adventist World Radio, Health Ministries, and Executive Secretary for 11 years. He loves to provide materials for employees and lay people. He and Vanlalthani, his wife have four grown children.
Notes:
1. Worker Service Record of Rozama. In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
2. Baptism Register, Book 1, p.1; In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
3. Baptism Register, Book 1, p. 33; Book 2, p. 14. In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
4. Myanmar Union Mission Executive Committee Minutes, (Action No.1981-051). In Archive Center, Myanmar Union Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
5. Ibid., 1983-101.
6. Worker Service Record of Rozama. Upper Myanmar Mission Headquarters Office of Seventh-day Adventists.
7. Upper Myanmar Mission Executive Committee, 1986-076. In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
8. Ibid.
9. Ibid., 1987-016, 061; In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists; Worker Service Record of Rozama. Upper Myanmar Mission Headquarters Office.
10. Ibid., 1989-046; In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists. Workers Service of Rozama. Upper Myanmar Mission Headquarters Office.
11. Ibid., 1990-013
12. Baptism Register, Book 5, p. 56; In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
13. Upper Myanmar Mission Executive Committee Minutes, (Action No. 1991-080). In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
14. Rozama, “Rom Mite Hnena Lehkhathawn Hrilhfiahna” (Commentary on the Letter of Romans). Published in February 1993.
15. Upper Myanmar Mission Executive Committee Minutes, (Action No. 1993-012; 1994-017). In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
16. Baptism Register, Book 5, p. 68. In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
17. Upper Myanmar Mission Executive Committee Minutes, (Action No.1995-141). In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
18. Worker Service Record of Rozama. Upper Myanmar Mission Headquarters of Seventh-day Adventists.
19. Baptism Register, Book 6, pp. 56, 57. In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
20. Upper Myanmar Mission Executive Committee Minutes, (Action No. 2000-012). In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
21. Ibid., 1999-191; Ibid., 2000-139.
22. Ibid., 2002-052.
23. Worker Service Record of Rozama. Upper Myanmar Mission Headquarters Office of Seventh-day Adventists.
24. Worker Service Record of Rozama. Upper Myanmar Mission Headquarters Office of Seventh-day Adventists.
25. Baptism Register, Book 7, p. 64. In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
26. Upper Myanmar Administrative Committee Minutes, (Action No. 2004-033); Baptism Register, Book 7, p. 86. In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
27. Upper Myanmar Executive Committee Minutes, (Action No. 2005-016); Baptism Register, Book 7, p. 97. In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
28. Baptism Register, Book 8, pp. 5-8. In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
29. Upper Myanmar Mission Executive Committee Minutes, (Action No. 2006-098); Baptism Register, Book 8, pp. 17, 18. In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
30. Ibid., 2006-079.
31. Ibid., 2007-025.
32. Ibid., 2008-067.
33. Ibid., 2010-018.
34. Ibid., 2009-027, 082.
35. Baptism Register, Book 9, p. 12. In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
36. Myanmar Union Mission Executive Committee Minutes, (Action No. 2010-127). In Archive Center, Myanmar Union Mission of Seventh-day Adventists; Upper Myanmar Mission Executive Committee Minutes, (Action No. 2010-062, 079). In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
37. Baptism Register, Book 9, pp. 24. In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
38. Ibid., Book. 9, p. 26-29.
39. Upper Myanmar Mission Executive Committee Minutes, (Action No. 2013-018). In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
40. Baptism Register, Book 9, pp. 58, 59. In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
41. Upper Myanmar Mission Administrative Committee Minutes, (Action No. 2013-068). In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
42. Ibid., 2013-066; 2014-059, 069.
43. Ibid., 2016-014.
44. Ibid., 2014-070.
45. Ibid., 2014-068; Baptism Register, Book 9, pp. 72-75. In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
46. Ibid., 2014-072; 2015-083; 2016-017.
47. Myanmar Union Mission Year-end Committee Minutes, (Action No. 2015-296). In Archive Center, Myanmar Union Mission of Seventh-day Adventists; Upper Myanmar Mission Year-End Committee Minutes, (Action No. 2015-055, 056). In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
48. Upper Myanmar Mission Administrative Committee Minutes, (Action No. 2017-026). In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
49. Ibid., 2017-048.
50. Upper Myanmar Mission Executive Committee Minutes, (Action No. 2018-071). In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
51. Upper Myanmar Mission Administrative Committee Minutes, (Action No. 2019-079, 105); Baptism Register, Book 9, pp. 144, 145. In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
52. Ibid., 2019-048.
53. Ibid., 2020-127.
54. Rozama,”Rom Mite Hnena Lehkhathawn Hrilhfiahna,” (Commentary on the Letter of Romans,” February 25, 1993.
55. Upper Myanmar Mission Administrative Committee Minutes, (Action No. 2014-072; 2015-083; 2016-017). In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
56. Ibid., 2013-066; 2014-059, 069.
57. Ibid., 2014-070.
58. Ibid., 2020-127.
59. Ibid., 2017-026; http://encyclopedia.Adventist.org
Sources:
1. Worker Service Record of Rozama. Upper Myanmar Mission Headquarters of Seventh-day Adventists.
2. Baptism Register. (Book 1; Book 2; Book 4; Book 5; Book 6; Book 7; Book 8; Book 9). In Record Center of Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
3. Myanmar Union Mission Executive Committee Minutes, (Year 1979; 1981; 1983; 2010; 2015). In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
4. Upper Myanmar Mission Executive Committee Minutes, (Year 1986; 1987; 1989; 1990; 1991; 1993; 1994; 1995; 1999; 2000; 2002; 2005; 2006; 2007; 2008; 2009; 2010; 2013; 2018; 2019). In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
5. Upper Myanmar Mission Year-End Committee Minutes, (Year 2015). In Record Center of the Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
6. “Rom Lehkhathawn Hrilhfiahna” (Commentary of The Letter of Romans); by Rozama, February 1993.
7. Upper Myanmar Administrative Committee Minutes, (Year 2004; 2013; 2014; 2015; 2016; 2017; 2019; 2020). In Record Center, Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
8. Myanmar Union Mission Year-End Committee Minutes, (Year 2015). In Record Center of the Upper Myanmar Mission of Seventh-day Adventists.
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