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Global DNA
How faith and "unstoppable determination" helped Dr. Chin Do Kham embark on a worldwide mission.
By Jennifer Raynes (Class of 2006)
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When Dr. Chin Do Kham, ORU's newest professor in the graduate division of the School of Theology and Missions, received his call to ministry at the age of 19, he admits "it didn't make sense at all." Having grown up in a primitive Burmese village, Kham was initially overwhelmed when he felt the Lord calling him as "a prophet to the nations." Despite living a very sheltered life in the jungle (he never even saw a vehicle until he was 12 years old), Kham "took God at His word" and trusted the Lord to lead him into a global ministry.
As a zealous 19-year-old, Kham was determined to go to Bible college, so when he heard that the International Correspondence Institute (now Global University) was offering a residential bachelor's program in Myanmar, he immediately jumped at the opportunity. The one drawback? The course was in English and Kham couldn't speak English. "To study one page in the textbook took...literally three days," Kham recalls. With "unstoppable determination," however, Kham persisted through the program and graduated five years later with a B.A. in Bible and Theology.
After college, Kham felt led to Singapore where he had a "life-changing experience" attending a Discipleship Training School with internationally recognized Youth With A Mission. From Singapore, it was on to South Korea where he earned his master of divinity degree while simultaneously leading a Bible study group for Yoido Full Gospel church, the world's largest Christian congregation. Burning with a fire to win souls, Kham used every holiday break from school as an opportunity to travel and evangelize. "No one invited me, I always invited myself. I wrote a letter to pastors, and the Lord used me greatly in healing. I saw hundreds of instant healing miracles and hundreds of people come to the Lord."
Desiring to cultivate his gifts in the healing ministry, Kham came to ORU where he earned his doctor of ministry (D.Min.) degree in 1994. From ORU, Kham went on to receive a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago. With two doctoral degrees under his belt, Kham was appointed as a missionary to the Philippines by Assemblies of God World Missions to teach at Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (APTS). At APTS, Kham served as both Dean of Students and graduate teaching faculty, but his list of titles didn't stop there. During this same time Kham managed to pioneer a D.Min. program at APTS, all while directing another D.Min. program in Myanmar. Teaching and preaching in numerous countries only served to heighten Kham's vision of making a worldwide impact in the kingdom. "If you have a way of testing my DNA," Kham asserts emphatically, "you would see...my call is so global."
Over the years, the Lord remained faithful to lead Kham among the nations, opening doors for him to preach in mega churches across Asia, as well as consult for a number of churches in the U.S. Although Kham loved preaching, when he received the invitation to come "home" to ORU to teach, he couldn't refuse. "ORU has a significant part in who I am today and I'm grateful for the values and the quality of education I received here," Kham said. "[I knew I wanted] to be a part of that dynamic again, making a contribution myself." Kham believes the best contribution he can make is training students to become "missions strategists." Contemplating his own personal limitations, Kham is looking for ways that he can "in the shortest time, make the most impact for Jesus." In the end, Kham concluded that "God's kingdom can be expanded many more times by equipping key leaders."
And that's exactly what he's doing. Kham admits that although he never envisioned himself having a teaching ministry, he thoroughly enjoys the interactive dynamic of education. Moving beyond mere theory, Kham hopes his students will "become reflective practitioners," applying their knowledge practically by getting as many overseas missions experiences as possible. Networking with other department chairs, Kham is already brainstorming ideas for mission trips and "dreaming together" with his fellow faculty about ORU's potential for global impact.
Eager to serve in any way he can, Kham is thrilled about his new season here at ORU-even if he doesn't quite see the big picture yet. "I don't even know ten percent of why I am here," he said, "but I know that God has brought me into something bigger and better than I know."
