Arrival of the Zomi in Oklahoma, USA: The first Zomi (and Burmese) arrivals in Tulsa occurred in 1990 when Dr. Chín Do Kham and his family came to study in the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) program at Oral Roberts University (ORU)1. Subsequently, Dr. Howard Chin Khen Mang, Rev. Cin Khaw Kham, and Peter Mang arrived. Pastor Kham Khai and Rev. David Suan Za Lian joined them to pursue studies at ORU. Later, Gin Suan Pau and Khup Kam arrived in Tulsa, followed by Kenneth Mang and Dr. Thuam Khan Thang from Myanmar. Rev. Dr. Pum Za Thang Tombing followed to pursue advanced studies at ORU. Soon after, David Zam Khan Thang Tombing and Dr. Sei Kam Touthang from India also joined the community. Mary Khai arrived in Tulsa in 1998 to attend Victory Bible Institute (now Victory College). Mary married Pastor Kham Khai on October 17, 1998, at Garnett Assembly of God. For their wedding, Pastor Kham Khai extended an invitation to Professor Dr. Ron Meyers, his wife, and Dr. Norwood from ORU. In 1999, Samuel Khai was born, marking the firstborn son among the Zomi people in Tulsa. Kim, the daughter of Rev. Dr. Cin Kham and Ngul Cing, also became the firstborn daughter among the Zomi people in Tulsa.
In 1997, Pastor Kham Khai initiated the Myanmar Christian Church with his wife and a small group of people. The support from Victory Ministry, particularly from Pastors Billy Joe and Sharon Daugherty, who generously provided their church facility at no cost for 20 years, was instrumental. This support was facilitated by connecting with Pastor Henry and Tonia Bartlett, who served as International Pastors at Victory. God’s grace has fueled the growth of the church to over 400 members, and in 2021, MCC formalized its commitment through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ORU. Currently, Rev. Dr. Kham Khai serves as one of the advisory board members at the Graduate School of Theology and Ministry (GSTM) at ORU, a role he has held since 2018. Post-2010, numerous individuals from Myanmar arrived in Tulsa due to the influence of Pastor Kham Khai and friends who attended ORU. The Zomi (Chin)-Burmese community now comprises 15,000 people in Oklahoma. “Over 1297 children attend Jenks Public School,” said Mrs. Mann2 with some also enrolled in Union, Glenpool, and Bixby schools. Around 20 Myanmar ethnic churches are there in Tulsa. Rev. Dr. Pum Za Thang Tombing conveyed in a message at MCC in Tulsa, “While we were studying at ORU, Dr. Kham Khai prophesied, ‘I see that one day many Zomi young people will arrive in Tulsa.” This prophetic vision has indeed come to pass, and God has brought great things among the Zomi people in Oklahoma!
The genesis of Zomi Innkuan Oklahoma (ZIOK) can be traced back to the early days in Oklahoma, where Pastor Khai recognized the need for a Civil Society within the Zomi Community in Tulsa, alongside the Myanmar Christian Church. On June 24, 20043, Pastor Khai convened a meeting at his residence in Jenks, bringing together Zomi leaders with twelve attendees. Subsequent gatherings were scheduled on July 244, including one at Pu Ngo Thang’s Home, leading to the formation of ZIOK. The third meeting, held at Dr. Howard Mang Home on Aug. 7, 2004, solidified the establishment of the ZIOK Board. The first Zomi Innkuan USA Khawmpi (Conference) was held in Tulsa on Aug. 20-21, 2005, at Pu Ngo Thang & Dr. Howard Mang residences. Aug. 20, 2005, holds special significance for Pastor Khai’s family, marking the birth of his youngest son, Jonathan.
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1 Source: Dr. Siraporn Kham, wife of Dr. Chin Do Kham.
2 Source: Mrs. Vung Za Mann, Jenks School District Burmese/Zomi Liason, 13 years of service.
3 Source: Pu Go Sawm Khup, Zomi Innkuan USA, Former Chairman.
4 Source: Pu Ngo Thang, Jenks Hausapa (the first Zomi who resides in Jenks).