A pastor and another Christian were killed by the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) on 4 June 2026 following their arrest the previous month.
Reverend William was pastor of a church in Chungcung, Chin State. He was executed along with Mr Nam Ceu.
A memorial service was held in Chungcung on 26 August, attended by local residents and pastors from Hakha, the state capital, around 15 miles away. Reverend William had served as a senior pastor for 25 years and is survived by his wife and five children.
Reverend William [Image credit: Burma Research Institute]
“We grieve with his family, his congregation, and our Chin brothers and sisters everywhere. This was an extrajudicial killing, carried out without due process or trial,” said Reverend Dr Robin Stoops, Burma Research Institute Board Chairman.
Dr Stoops had travelled through Chungcung village during a visit to Hakha before the military coup of February 2021.
On 16 May 2026, Reverend William, who did not use a surname, was arrested along with Nam Ceu by the Tatmadaw, at a farm tent just outside Chungcung. Five people were present at the tent; three fled to safety, but Reverend William and Nam Ceu were arrested.
Christian leaders in Hakha asked the military authorities in the region, specifically the commander of the 77th Light Infantry Division which captured them, for information on the men’s whereabouts. The church and their families concluded that Reverend William and Nam Ceu were killed on 4 June after receiving evidence from credible sources close to the two men that week.
The sources affirmed that Reverend William was killed on unsubstantiated accusations of supporting the armed opposition forces.
Since the 2021 coup, the Tatmadaw has burned or destroyed 118 houses in the village of Chungcung, killed 16 civilians, and wounded 5 others, and has destroyed property belonging to Reverend William’s church.
How you can pray
Pray that the families of Reverend William and Nam Ceu will be greatly comforted in their grief. Give thanks for the pastor’s many years of faithful ministry and pray that his example and teaching will spur many others on to advance God’s kingdom in Myanmar. Pray for an end to such extrajudicial killings, for justice and truth to prevail, and that attacks on Christian communities will cease.
