David Van Bik

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The Reverend David Van Bik
Lai Bible Translator
Orders
Ordination	by Zomi Baptist Convention (now Chin Baptist Convention) at its triennial meetings in June 1957
Personal details
Born	(1926-07-28)28 July 1926 Tlangpi
Died	19 August 2000(2000-08-19) (aged 74)
Buried	Cemetery in Hakha
Nationality	Chin (Myanmar)
Denomination	Baptist Christian
Residence	Hakha Pidawta, Chin State, Myanmar
Education	Diploma in Theology (India); Bachelor of Theology (USA); Master of Arts (USA)
Alma mater	Berkeley School of Theology, California, formerly American Baptist Seminary of the West, US

David Van Bik (28 July 1926 – 19 August 2000) was the Lai Bible translator, a Chin biblical scholar,^[1] the author of Chin-English and English-Chin dictionaries, an ordained Baptist minister,^[2] and a recipient of the honorary Doctor of Divinity from his alma mater Berkeley School of Theology, USA.^[3]

David Van Bik was among the most prestigious Chin Christian leaders of the 20th century for his 'outstanding contribution' to the Christian ministry in the Chin Hills, Myanmar.^[4] Rev Robert G Johnson, D.D. who was the last American Baptist Missionary to the Chin Hills and worked closely with Rev David Van Bik called him 'a man of faith and works'.^[5] Rev Johnson likened him to Lai people's 'precious gem' in the context of his translation work for Lai Baibal Thiang (the Holy Bible in Lai language).^[6] Historically, David Van Bik was the first degree holder of Bachelor of Theology (B.Th) among Chins in Myanmar.^[7] In 1955, he achieved the B.Th degree from the Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas, USA.^[7] He was also the first Secretary of the Hakha Council of Churches in Hakha, the Capital City of Chin State (formerly the Chin Hills).^[8]