Statement of our faith and mission
We, members of the San Francisco Kachin Baptist Church, believe in God the Creator of the Universe, Jesus Christ the Redeemer of the World, and the Holy Spirit the Comforter of Humanity. We believe that the Bible is inspired by God, and thus, uphold it for ministries of preaching, teaching, witnessing, and training in righteousness. By humbly adhering to the teachings of the Bible, we continually strive to do justice, love our neighbors, and walk with God as a community of faith.
Who we are
We are the Kachins, also known as Wunpawng Jinghpaw, who live in the San Francisco Bay Area. We have deep ancestral and cultural roots in the Kachinland located in Northern Burma, and thus, cherish the Kachin language, tradition, and culture as gifts from God. We, therefore, to preserve and promote these Godgiven inheritances through expressions and functions of the Church.
As we consider ourselves one of many people of God, we welcome diverse people and cultures to our congregation. The members of our church, therefore, consist of believers from different social, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds who continually enrich our community with their presence.
SFKBC is a member church of the American Baptist Churches, USA. We owe our Baptist heritage to the endeavors, sacrifices, and ministries of the American Baptists, the Myanmar Baptist Convention, and the Kachin Baptist Convention in Burma. Thus, our church is a community of faith that stands on the rich traditions of the past, responds to the immediate calls of our present situations, and strives toward a realization of a hopeful future with God.
As we consider ourselves one of many people of God, we welcome diverse people and cultures to our congregation. The members of our church, therefore, consist of believers from different social, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds who continually enrich our community with their presence.
SFKBC is a member church of the American Baptist Churches, USA. We owe our Baptist heritage to the endeavors, sacrifices, and ministries of the American Baptists, the Myanmar Baptist Convention, and the Kachin Baptist Convention in Burma. Thus, our church is a community of faith that stands on the rich traditions of the past, responds to the immediate calls of our present situations, and strives toward a realization of a hopeful future with God.
About our pastor
Our Pastor the Reverend Dr. Naw San Dee KD acquired his degrees from the Myanmar Institute of Theology, Burma (B.Th.), Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (M.Div.), Candler School of Theology, Emory University (M.Th). He received his Ph.D in Biblical Studies from Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University in 2011.
He served as a missionary to the Palaung people in Burma and Thailand for two years. In the United States, he has ministered to the Kachin refugee communities in Texas and Nebraska before moving to San Francisco bay area to be the pastor of the San Francisco Kachin Baptist Church located in Oakland, California.
As a native Kachin, Pastor KD is keen to promote not only the spiritual growth of his congregation but also their cultural and ethnic identity .He nourishes the congregation with relevant and thought-provoking sermons, and offers compassionate pastoral care. He is married to Christie and has a son, Asher.
He served as a missionary to the Palaung people in Burma and Thailand for two years. In the United States, he has ministered to the Kachin refugee communities in Texas and Nebraska before moving to San Francisco bay area to be the pastor of the San Francisco Kachin Baptist Church located in Oakland, California.
As a native Kachin, Pastor KD is keen to promote not only the spiritual growth of his congregation but also their cultural and ethnic identity .He nourishes the congregation with relevant and thought-provoking sermons, and offers compassionate pastoral care. He is married to Christie and has a son, Asher.
Brief History
1990s - Kachin people came to the San Francisco bay area as immigrants, political asylees, refugees and students, and formed a fellowship for the community.
Feb 20, 2000 – The Kachin Youth Group (USA) was founded to support the Kachins in Burma and abroad.
2006 - The fellowship was named as San Francisco Kachin Baptist Fellowship (SFKBF) and held monthly worship services at members’ houses.
2007 - SFKBF started semimonthly worship.
Mar 9, 2008 – SFKBF began worship service at Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church (LABC).
May, 2010 – SFKBF hosted Kachin Christian Family Camp, USA, appointed a minister, Pastor KD Naw San Dee, and ordained three deacons; Hpt. Duwa Luksing Zau Aung, Hpt. Hpunggan Naw Seng and Hpt. Nhkum Zar Ke.
Jan, 2011 - SFKBF was renamed as San Francisco Kachin Baptist Church (SFKBC).
June, 2011 - Pastor KD Naw San Dee was ordained and church dedication service held at LABC.
Feb 20, 2000 – The Kachin Youth Group (USA) was founded to support the Kachins in Burma and abroad.
2006 - The fellowship was named as San Francisco Kachin Baptist Fellowship (SFKBF) and held monthly worship services at members’ houses.
2007 - SFKBF started semimonthly worship.
Mar 9, 2008 – SFKBF began worship service at Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church (LABC).
May, 2010 – SFKBF hosted Kachin Christian Family Camp, USA, appointed a minister, Pastor KD Naw San Dee, and ordained three deacons; Hpt. Duwa Luksing Zau Aung, Hpt. Hpunggan Naw Seng and Hpt. Nhkum Zar Ke.
Jan, 2011 - SFKBF was renamed as San Francisco Kachin Baptist Church (SFKBC).
June, 2011 - Pastor KD Naw San Dee was ordained and church dedication service held at LABC.