Main languages:
Burmese, Karen, Shan, Chin, Kachin, Mon, Palaung, Wa

Main religions:
Buddhism (89%), Christianity (4%), Islam (4%), Animism (1%), other (2%)

Government:
Republic, ruled by a military-backed government since 1962. The National League for Democracy won 81% of the assembly seats in multi-party elections in 1990, but was prevented from taking power. Since the 1988 civil disturbances, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) remains in control. In 1997 SLORC changed its name to the State Peace and Development Council.

National and community concerns:
• High inflation.
• Widespread corruption.
• Human rights and democracy.
• Education.
• Deforestation - two thirds of the tropical forest have been cut down.

Church priorities and programmes:
• Mission outreach.
• Tahan Agape clinic serving the community.
• Theological education.
• Baby home for abandoned children.
• Literacy, literature fellowship and writers' workshops are promoted.
• Leadership development including laity, youth and women.
• Better theological education for pastors; expertise to help in local lay leadership training.

Members/Congregations:
29,500/230

Women's representation in church:
• No ordained women.
• Active in church programmes. Women are the main fundraisers for the mission outreach programme.

Youth activities:
• Presbyterian Youth Fellowship is organised at all levels from local church to synod. Their main contributions are in music, social action, bible study and education.
• The PCM has a youth exchange link with the Presbyterian Church of Wales.

Missionaries sent and received through CWM
• Given local restrictions it is not possible for the PCM to receive missionaries.
• Of the 30,000 church members, 9,000 are to be found in local mission fields, supported by 65 full-time workers.

For more information:
Rev Dr Lai Thuama, administrative secretary, Presbyterian Church of Myanmar, General Assembly Office, 120 Maha Bandoola, Garden Street, Yangon, Myanmar.

Prayer requests:
• Better theological education for pastors.
• Lay leadership training.
• The church’s evangelistic campaign.