Tripura Baptist Christian Union
The Tripura Baptist Christian Union (TBCU) is the largest Christian Groups in the Indian state of Tripura. It has its head office in Agartala, the state capital. The TBCU is affiliated to the Asia Pacific Baptist Federation (APBF)[1] and the Baptist World Alliance (BWA).[2] It is also a member church in the North East India Christian Council (NEICC), a regional church body of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI).[3] As of 2015, TBCU had 84,795 members in 845 churches.[4]
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History
The union was formed under the leadership of Rev. M.J. Eade in December 1938 in Lakshmilunga, a village six miles from Agartala.
TBCU was supported and funded from the beginning by the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society (NZBMS) and they provided most of the staff till the 1960s. Since then TBCU has now become an independent indigenous self-supporting church organisation. Rev. M.J. Eade was appointed as the first General Secretary of the Tripura Baptist Christian Union. Rev. Lalhuala Darlong was the first national General Secretary.[5]
TBCU employs many pastors and evangelists and runs community programs such as schools and dispensaries. Since the early 80s, it has been working in partnerships with the Baptist Church of Mizoram (BCM) and also with the Evangelical Church of Maraland (ECM) from Mizoram. Both BCM and ECM have many workers in Tripura working as missionaries and evangelist/teachers in various TBCU churches and schools.
TBCU celebrated its Golden jubilee and Diamond Jubilees in 1988 and 1998 respectively with much fanfare.
Organization
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Office
TBCU has its office in the Baptist Mission Compound at Arundhutinagar, Agartala.
The Mission Compound was established in 1938 under an official land grant by the then King of Tripura Kingdom, Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya, to the Baptist missionaries from New Zealand.[6]
Associations
It has the following affiliated associations:
- Sadar North Baptist Association (SNBA)
- Central Baptist Association (CBA)
- Kok Baptist Association (KOKBA)
- Udaipur Baptist Association (UBA)
- Salgra Baptist Association (SBA)
- Kailashahar Baptist Christian Association (KBCA)
- Jampui Sakhan Baptist Association (JSBA)
- Achik Krima
- Yarong Baptist Christian Association (YBCA)
- Saisawm-Sazai Baptist Association (SSBA)
- Dharmanagar-Longai Baptist Association (DLBA)
- Yapri Baptist Association (YBA)
- Kamalpur Baptist Association (KBA)
- Songang Baptist Christian Association (SBCA)
- Dergang Baptist Association (DBA)
- Jampui Longai Baptist Association (JL BA)
Every year a meeting of the Council Members of the TBCU is organised at one of the churches within the Union.
Schools
Union
St. Paul's School
The TBCU runs the St. Paul's School which is situated in Arundhutinagar, Agartala. The school was started in the early 1940s as the first English medium school in the Kingdom of Tripura.
Currently, the Principal of School is Miss Thanzuali and the Vice-Principal is Mr. James Muankima.
The school is a higher secondary school with classes from K.G. to Class XII. It is affiliated to CISCE. There are more than 1500 students.[7]
Darchawi S.B Bengali medium school, at Darchawi village in Unakoti district of Tripura, was also developed by the NZBMS with the financial aid of the Government of Tripura.
KOKBA
- Kok English Medium School
JSBA
The JSBA currently runs two schools.
St. Thomas English Medium School
St. Thomas English Medium School, located at Vanghmun village, was established in 1979. It educates to the mostly scheduled Tribes students living in and around Jampui hill. Pu Lalnunsanga is the headmaster of the school. The school has KG to Class X standards. The school is affiliated to the Tripura Board of School education (TBSE). Every year a considerable number of Madhyamik students appear for their examination and come out with flying colors. The school has contributed greatly to the educational development of the people of Jampui hill. It has a boarding house for both male and female students. A stipend is provided by the Tribal Welfare Department of Tripura, through which each year a number of poor students can pursue their educational careers at the school.
Pohor English Medium School
Pohor English Medium school was established in 2008 at Chawmanu under Chailengta Sub-Division of Dhalai District.
Saisawm Sazai Baptist Association (SSBA)
St James Higher Secondary School
St James Higher Secondary School is located in Gongrai Molsom village, P.O Kendraichera, Sepahijala Dist. Tripura. It was established in 1980. The school is mainly for the scheduled Tribes students. The school is affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education For KG to Class - X and For Class - XI & XII it is affiliated to TBSE.
Nazareth English School
Nazareth English School is Located in Tuidu Baza Gomati District Tripura. Mainly For Classes for KG to Class VIII.
Theology college
The TBCU runs a theology college from its mission compound in Agartala where mission workers are trained in Biblical doctrines and other theological studies. The former General Secretary of TBCU, Rev. Rajani Kaipeng is the principal of the college.
Hospital
Earlier, the TBCU ran its own hospital at their headquarters from the 1930s until 1980 when it was discontinued, providing free treatment to the tribals and locals of the state.
Presently under SNBA a hospital is being constructed at Patni village of West Tripura around 20 km from Agartala city.
Social service
Since its inception. the TBCU has been supporting the several voluntary NGOs dedicated to the development of the poor tribals living in the remote hamlets of Tripura.
Institute of community transformation
- Sponsored by Seva Bharat (Mission India)
Location: Madhab Baptist Church, Mandwi Baptist Pastoral Circle
Publications
Bibles
TBCU in partnership with the Bible Society of India has been active in translating the Bible and New Testament in various local languages of Tripura.
Firstly
KAUBRU BAIBLE. As Bru people are called Bible kthar that is mean Holy Bible. New Testament= SMAIKTA, OLD Testament = SMAIKCHAM.
The translation by * Rev. S.K. MSHA, and his team.
Smai Kwtal
The New Testament of the Bible in Kokborok language, the dialect of the native people of Tripura was first published in 1976.
The translation team were:
- Rev. B.K. Smith, NZBMS
- Rev. Jong Bahadur Debbarma, TBCU
- Ramesh Debbarma, TBCU
Baibel Kwthar
The full Holy Bible in Kokborok language was published for the first time in 2013 by the Bible Society of India.[8]
The TBCU translation team were:
- Rev. Jong Bahadur Debbarma, CBA
- Rev. Anil Debbarma, CBA
- Rev. Nilmani Debbarma, SNBA
- Mark Debbarma, CBA
- Chitta Debbarma, SNBA
- Dn. Chitta Ranjan Debbarma, SNBA
Dan Thar
The New Testament of the Bible in (Molsom) language the dialect of the native people of Tripura. The translation team were:
- Rev.Misilkumar Molsom
- Rev.Sonabahadur Molsom
- Decon. Lalkunga Molsom
- Decon.CL.Nunhlima
Literature
Under the Tripura Baptist Christian Literature Committee and the Kokborok Christian Literature Committee (KCLC) various songbooks, tracts and study materials are regularly published by the TBCU.
Statistics
TBCU has more than 840 churches with a total communicant membership of more than 98,000.[9]
Sl. No. | Association | Churches | Members |
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1. | Sadar North Baptist Association (SNBA) | 136 | 21,000 |
2. | Central Baptist Association (CBA) | 92 | 6,500 |
3. | Udaipur Baptist Association (UBA) | 77 | 4,100 |
4. | Kok Baptist Association (KOKBA) | 60 | 3,800 |
5. | Amarpur Raima Sarma Baptist Association (ARSBA)/ Yarung Baptist Christian Association (YACA) | 50 | 4,600 |
6. | Sabroom Baptist Association (SBA) | 40 | 3,000 |
7. | Yapri Baptist Association (YBA) | 33 | 1,900 |
8. | Kailasahar Baptist Christian Association (KBCA) | 27 | 1,750 |
9. | Dergang Baptist Association (DBA) | 24 | 4,100 |
10. | Dharmanagar Longai Baptist Association (DLBA) | 23 | 2,000 |
11. | Kamalpur Baptist Association (KBA) | 23 | 2,000 |
12. | Salka Baptist Association (SKBA) | 23 | 2,100 |
13. | Songang Baptist Christian Association (SBCA) | 12 | 750 |
14. | Jampui Sakhan Baptist Association (JSBA) | 11 | 6,700 |
15. | Achik Krima (AK) | ||
16. | Saizawm Sazai Baptist Association (SSBA) | 48 | |
17. | Hachuk Haphar Baptist Association (HHBA) |
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Office bearers of TBCU
Union
- General Secretary: Rev. C.K. Debbarma
- Associate General Secretary: Rev. Rantuasanga Darlong
- Secretary: Rev. Lalthanliana
Sadar North Baptist Association (SNBA)
Pastors of SNBA
- Rev. C. K. Debbarma (General Secretary, TBCU)
- Rev. Sukuram Debbarma (Jamilwng Pastoral Circle)
- Rev. Ranjit Debbarma (Executive Secretary, SNBA)
- Rev.Chandramoni Debbarma (Secretary, Sadar North Baptist Association)
- Pro. Pastor Ranjit Debbarma (Secretary, Dakdu Pastoral Circle)
- Rev. Biswa Kr. Debbarma (Abhicharan Pastoral Circle)
- Evan. Brajendra (Secretary, Champaknagar Pastoral Circle)
- Rev. Manmohan Debbarma (Secretary, SNBSB & Secretary, Khumulwng Pastoral Circle)
- Rev. Barendra Debbarma (Shillong)
- Rev. Samendra Debbarma
Ordained Evangelists of SNBA
- Ord. Evan. V. Pawha (ECM Missionary)
- Ord. Evan. Lalnunsiama (BCM Missionary)
- Ord. Evan. Lalchungnunga (JSBA Missionary)
Evangelists of SNBA There are evangelists in SNBA.
- Evan. Shikha Debbarma
- Evan. Ajit Debbarma
- Evan. Sitaram Rupini
- Evan. Sushanta Debbarma
- Evan. Pradip Debbarma
- Mr. Mantu Debbarma (Office Assistant)
- Evan Kishore Debbarma
- Evan Bijoy Debbarma
- Evan Ratan Debbarma
- Evan Evan Sukuram Debbarma
- Evan Nripendra Debbarma
- Evan Partha Sarathi Debbarma
- Evan Sandhyaram Debbarma
- Evan Rajkumar Debbarma
- Evan Mithun Rupini
- Evan Biswajit Debbarma
- Evan Nitya Debbarma
- Evan Brajendra Debbarma
- Evan Manoranjan Debbarma
- Evan Kishore (Yarwng) Debbarma (On Training)
- Evan Arun Debbarma
- Evan Ajendra Debbarma
- Evan Rwngthoma Debbarma
- Evan Joseph Debbarma
- Evan Manik Debbarma (on Training)
- Evan Somchati Debbarma (On Training)
- Evan Sunil Debbarma (On Training)
- Evan Malendra Debbarma (On Training)
- Evan Debojit Debbarma (On Training)
- Evan Sachin Debbarma
- Evan Puskumar Debbarma
- Evan Amit Debbarma
- Evan Bijoy (kothoma) debbarma
- E/T John Rupini
- E/T Siari Debbarma
- E/T Mrs. Elemi Debbarma
- E/T Subasish Debbarma
- Mr. Rabindra Debbarma (Driver)
Office Staff of SNBA
- Mr. Pitor Debbarma (Accountant)
Central Baptist Association (CBA)
Pastors of CBA The pastors of the CBA are:
- Rev. Jong Bahadur Debbarma
- Rev. Asit Debbarma (Retd)
- Rev. Swapan Debbarma
- Rev. Surajit Debbarma
- Rev. Mohan Koloi
- Rev. Anil Debbarma
- Rev. Ajit Debbarma
- Rev. Tripureswer Debbarma
- Rev. Sambhuram Debbarma
- Rev. Swadesh Debbarma
- Rev. Abiram Debbarma
Ordained Evangelists of CBA
- Ord. Evan. Aprajit Debbarma
- Ord. Evan. Sushil Debbarma
- Ord.Evan. Ranjit Debbarma
- Ord.Evan. Madhab Debbarma
- Ord.Evan. Satyaram Debbarma
Evangelists of CBA
- Evan. Dilip Debbarma
- Evan. Premananda Debbarma
- Evan. Laxman Debbarma
- Evan. Ranjan Debbarma
- Evan. Krishna Debbarma
- Evan. Bitta Debbarma
- Evan. Uttam Debbarma
- Evan. Saitya Debbarma
- Evan. Arup Debbarma
Kok Baptist Association (KOKBA)
Pastors of KOKBA The pastors of the KOKBA are:
- Rev. Jyotirmoy Debbarma
- Rev. Sunil Debbarma
- Rev. Malendra Debbarma
- Rev. Surnapada Jamatia
- Rev. Dharmendra Debbarma
- Rev. Samaresh Debbarma
Ordained Evangelists of KOKBA
- Dhiman Debbarma
Ordained Evangelists of KOKBA
- Evan. Mangthar Debbarma
- Evan. Ahlem Debbarma
- Evan. Philip Rupini
- Evan. Kishore Debbarma
- Evan. Manoj Kumar Debbarma
- Evan. Sanjoy Debbarma
- Evan. Ranju Debbarma
- Evan. Utpal Debbarma
- Evan. Biresh Debbarma
- Evan. Mansujit Debbarma
- Evan pradesh Debbarma
Udaipur Baptist Association (UBA)
The pastors of the UBA are:
- Rev. Debguru Jamatia
- Rev. Subraihamjak Jamatia
- Rev. Chandra Bahadur Jamatia
Ordained Evangelists of UBA
- Ord. Evan. Imangrai Jamatia
- Ord. Evan. Abraham Jamatia
- Ord. Evan. Uttam Kr. Jamatia
- Ord. Evan. Phaijak Jamatia
Evangelists of UBA
- Evan. Jiban Barma Jamatia
- Evan. Swlaijak Jamatia
- Evan. Nabin Chandra Jamatia
- Evan. Swapan Jamatia
- Evan. Bijoy Kumar Jamatia
- Evan. Bipad Sadhan Jamatia
- Evan. Baibel Kalai
List of churches affiliated to TBCU
Sadar North Baptist Association (SNBA)
Abhicharan Baptist Pastoral Circle
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Borkathal Baptist Pastoral Circle
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Champaknagar Baptist Pastoral Circle
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Dakdu Baptist Pastoral Circle
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Hezamara Baptist Pastoral Circle
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Jamilwng Baptist Pastoral Circle
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Khumulwng Baptist Pastoral Circle
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Mandwi Baptist Pastoral Circle
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Central Baptist Association (CBA)
Bishramganj Baptist Pastoral Circle
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- Rangchak
City Baptist Pastoral Circle
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Gabardi Baptist Pastoral Circle
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Jampui Baptist Pastoral Circle
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Takarjala Baptist Pastoral Circle
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Udaipur Baptist Association (UBA)
Amarpur Baptist Pastoral Circle
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Marandi Baptist Pastoral Circle
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Pitra Baptist Pastoral Circle
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Kok Baptist Association (KOKBA)
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Saisawm Sazai Baptist Association
Pastor circles
- Gongrai Circle
- Gamagur Circle
- Kamlachora Circle
- Dewanchhora Circle
Gongrai Pastor Circle
Gamagur Pastor Circle
Kamlachora Pastor Circle
SSBA pastors
ControversiesThe state government of Tripura accused the organization of lending support to separatist NLFT rebels.[10] The Government of Tripura uncovered evidence asserting that the Baptist Church in Tripura had been helping Tripuri militants, such as the NLFT in the state. The NLFT militants, who are involved in armed struggle for the independence of Tripura, and the creation of a "Christian state",[11] have been forcing local tribals to convert to Christianity at gunpoint and threatening to murder participants in Hindu festivals.[10][12][13] It is believed that as many as 5,000 tribal villagers were converted in this fashion over two years.[12] These forcible conversions to Christianity, sometimes including the use of "rape as a means of intimidation," have also been noted by academics outside of India.[14] The government accused the Baptist Church of Tripura for supporting this violent campaign of NLFT by providing funding and arms for the group. In April 2000, Nagmanlal Halam, Secretary of the Noapara Baptist Church in Tripura, was caught with a large quantity of explosives which were meant for the group. Halam later confessed to buying and supplying explosives to the NLFT for the past two years. Another church official, Jatna Koloi, was arrested in south Tripura in April 2000. According to the State Police, Mr Koloi had received training in guerrilla warfare at an NLFT base in 1999.[10] See also
References
External links
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