Thang Lam Mung

(AUTOBIOGRAPHY)

(1966 – Present: 15th October 2021)

Early Life

He was born on September 24, 1966, in Kalay, Myanmar, to Pastor Zen Do Lian (late) and Daw Lawmsangi. Both of his parents belong to Chin tribe. They became Adventist Christians in their youth. His father studied in the Seminaries at Kyauhtaing, Taungngomyo, and Myaungmyamyo before he began his ministry in the church. His father faithfully served the church in several capacities: as an evangelist, a church pastor, a district leader, and a departmental director. He was serving his Master for more than forty years before he retired.

They were a big and wonderful family. He is the second child among ten siblings, but by now, They are eight. He was born and raised in the Adventist family. He took baptism at the age of 14, on April 7, 1981. Since his father was minister in the church, his family had to move from place to place wherever he was appointed in the several capacities. Therefore, there was no particular places where his childhood was spent for years. The schools became his second home because he was a boarding student since grade five.

Since his family had to move to several places, he had to attend three different primary schools in different villages and town operated by the government. After graduating from primary school, that was fourth grade, he continued his secondary education in the Mission secondary schools at Kyothonbin, Kalaymyo; Tabyay, Taungngo; and Myaungmya.

Education and Marriage

After passing Plus Two (or grade twelve), he continued a diploma called Ministerial Training Course (MTC) at Myanmar Union Adventist Seminary (MUAS). He finished his MTC diploma in March, 1991. Though four-year college degree was started offering in that summer, 1991, he did not continue college courses, instead he began his ministry in the church on June 1, 1991.

However, he got a chance to study four-year college degree, Bachelor of Art in Religion, in the Summer of 1993 at MUAS. Before graduating college in May, 1997, he had to take class courses five consecutive Summers. After that, he continued to study Master of Ministry that was offered by Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) through Distance Learning Center (DLC) at Yangon, Myanmar Union Mission (MYUM) headquarters. he graduated Master of Minister (DLC) in October 17, 2004.

When he was chosen to study Doctor of Ministry (emphasis in church leadership) by MYUM, he, with his family, went to AIIAS, Philippines, in March, 2012. While he was studying in AIIAS, his daughter studied Bachelor of Business Administration in Management at Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) and his two sons studied at AIIAS academy. By the grace of God, he could finish his study within the appointed period, and came back to serve at MUAS in the end of October, 2015.

One of the biggest blessings in his life is having a wonderful family. During he was serving in the school at Kyothonbin, Kalamyo, he was married to Zalianmawii on November 21, 1994. The Lord blessed him with three lovely children, namely; Zirthanzami, Lian Sian Muang, and Lalhmachhuana.

Ministry

The second biggest blessing in his life is for being a servant of God in His ministry. It started his ministry at Sakollam church, Tedim, Chin State, on June 1, 1991. He began to serve as a church pastor and a headmaster of that church’s primary school. After serving the Sakollam church for one year, he was transferred to another secondary in the same town, Tedim, in Lawibual Ward. He serve as a school teacher teaching Bible, English, and Mathematics for two years.

Again, he was transferred to another secondary school UMAS, Kalaymyo, where he taught classes for three years. While teaching classes, he also served as a hostel dean for one year and the next two years as a treasurer at the same time.

Then he got a call from the treasury department at the Upper Myanmar Mission (UMM) headquarters in Pyin Oo Lwin in January, 1997. After serving as an Accountant for six years, he was appointed as a Treasurer of UMM on July 1, 2003. He served for ten years in the treasury department of UMM from January, 1997 to March, 2007.

After that, he  moved to the treasury department of MUAS in Myaungmya as a Vice President of Financial Affair (VPFA). He served for five years at MUAS as a VPFA from April, 2007 to March, 2012. It was that he was sent for further study while serving as a VPFA. Soon after coming back from AIIAS in October, 2015, he was ordained into the ministry on December 12, 2015 at Yangon Central Church. And he served as a Dean of Religion Department for one year in 2016.

Finally, he was appointed as an Executive Secretary of Ayeyarwady Mission headquarters in Pathein in January, 2017. In addition to the Secretary job, he also am serving as a director of Health Ministries Department. By now, he have been serving God in the Ayeyarwady Mission almost for five years.

Lagacy

                He felt the need of having The Seventh-day Adventists 28 Beliefs in his local language, Myanmar, in the hands of church members. However, before he could translate it, he translated Ellen G. White’s writings: Maranatha, a devotional book, and Education in Myanmar. By now, the Myanmar translation of The Seventh-day Adventist 28 Beliefs is in the Kinsaung Press ready to print out and distribute to the church members.

Reference: Service Record