Chin Christian College

Chin Christian College (CCC) is a college in Hakha, Chin State, Burma.^[1] In late 2000s, the college became a stand alone institution of higher education in Chin State when the college was removed as one of the departments of Chin Association of Christian Communication. CCC is a Baptist college but also accepts students from other denominations. Moreover, it also has students from other parts of Myanmar such as Kachins and Nagas. It was founded with the vision that one day it will become a Christian University.

History

Rev. Dr. Chester Strait, an American Baptist Missionary to the Chin people, started a Bible school in Hakha in 1928.^[2] The school was closed in 1932 and during World War II. To meet the needs of the growing churches, two Bible schools were opened again in Tiddim (1947−1950) by Rev. Franklin and Phileda Nelsons and in Hakha (1948−1950) by Rev. Dr. Robert G. Johnson and Elizabeth Johnson. Because of the long furlough of the missionaries, the two Bible schools were discontinued and a new Bible school was started again in Tiddim only in 1953 and Rev. S.T. Hau Go was put in-charge of it.

After Rev. Hau Go was elected as General Secretary of the newly formed Chin Baptist Convention (CBC),^[3] the Bible school was moved to Hakha in 1954 with a view that it would be better managed by the returned Johnsons. The first graduation ceremony was held in Hakha in 1956. In accordance with the decision of the Executive Committee of the ZBC, the School was moved from Hakha to Falam in 1959.

In 1990, the Chin Christian Literature Society of the Hakha-Chin language group opened a Chin Bible School in Hakha. The decision to open a new Bible college was made to meet the growing Christian population in Chin State by training a new breed of minsters. The school started with few students and lecturers. Among the first lecturers at CCC were Rev. Zam Mang, Rev. Tial Lian, and Rev. Dr. Jones Mang Hope. The school rented a two-story building from Hakha Baptist Church. After two years, the Chin Christian Literature Society changed its name to Chin Association for Christian Communication (CACC). The school was renamed Chin Christian College.

In 2004, after serving the College for the five years, Rev. Dr. Hla Aung went to the United Kingdom for post-doctorate research. Then, upon the request of CCC, the Chin Baptist Convention (CBC) released Rev. Dr. Henry Siang Kung, the then lecturer at Chin Christian Institute of Theology,^[4] to be the principal of CCC. Rev. Dr. Henry Siang Kung is the current principle.

Principals

• Rev. Dr. Jones Mang Hope (1990), Acting Principal
• Rev. Dr. David Van Bik (1990−1996)
• Rev. Dr. John Cuai Sang (1996−1998)
• Rev. Dr. Hla Aung (1998−2004)
• Rev. Dr. Henry Siang Kung (2004−Present)

Programs

The college offers the following degree programs:^[5]

• Diploma of Theology (Dip.Th.)
• Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.)
• Bachelor of Ministry (B.Min.)
• Bachelor in Religious Education (B.R.E.)
• Bachelor of Arts (English) (B.A. English)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (B.A. Business in 2014).^[6]
• Master of Divinity (M.Div.)

The college has a rigorous academic curriculum and its reputation continues to grow in Burma. CCC is the only college in Chin State that offers Bachelor of Arts in English. Most of the faculty members have degrees from well-known theological colleges from Asia, Europe, and the United States. CCC recently completed constructing additional academic buildings and a football field with the support of Chin people and Chin diasporas.

Future Plan

CCC's Principal stated in an interview with Chinland Guardian that the college's dream is to have courses in IT, agro-livestock, technical, and medical fields.^[7] The college is now in the midst of a construction program to accommodate students and staff.^[8] On his most recent trip to the United States, CCC's principal stated that college no longer has enough rooms for students.^[9] To accommodate the students, the college holds classes at male and female quarters and library rooms.

Accreditation

CCC is accredited by Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA).

References