Tripura Baptist Christian Union
AbbreviationTBCU
ClassificationEvangelicalism
OrientationBaptist
PolityCongregational
PresidentRev. Ranakusum Debbarma
AssociationsAsia Pacific Baptist Federation, Baptist World Alliance
RegionTripura
HeadquartersBaptist Mission Compound, Arundhutinagar, Agartala, India
FounderRev M.J. Eade, New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society (NZBMS)
Origin1938
Laxmilunga village, Tripura
Congregations943
Members84,795
Official websitechristiantbcu.org
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The Tripura Baptist Christian Union (TBCU) is a Baptist Christian denomination in Tripura, India. 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]

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.[4]

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

Rev. C. K. Debbarma (Executive Secretary, SNBA) and Rev. Ngaituahsunga Darlong (general secretary, TBCU) during the Sadar North Baptist Youth Fellowship 2006 in Abhicharan Baptist Church

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.[5]


Associations

It has the following affiliated associations:

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

Main article: St Paul's School, Agartala

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 the School is Mrs Manjuri Sangma 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.[6]

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.

SNBA

The association runs four English Medium schools, namely:

Yakhili Academy

Yakhili Academy is a Higher Secondary school in Khumulwng affiliated to TBSE.

Tipprah Academy

Tipprah Academy is a high school in Barkathal affiliated to the TBSE.

Salka Academy

Salka Academy is in Hezamara

Pohor Academy

Pohor Academy is in Burakha

CBA

St. Peter's School

St Peter's School is located in Jampuijala Block, Sepahijala District of Tripura and is run by the Central Baptist Association of TBCU. It was established in 1991.

KOKBA

Kok English Medium School

Kok English Medium School is located in Baijal bari, Khowai District. The school is affiliated to TBSE for Nursery to Class -X. It is run by KOKBA.

Udaipur Baptist Association(UBA)

St. John's Senior Secondary School

St John's High School is located in Raio, Killa, Udaipur, Gomoti Tripura. It was established in 1972. The school is affiliated to CBSE for Nursery to Class -XII. It is run by Borok Hoda Thong(BHT).

Elem English School

Elem English School is located in Dulukma, Amarpur, Gomoti Tripura . The school is affiliated to TBSE for Nursery to Class -X. It is run by Baptist Church of Mizoram(BCM).

Hamari English School

Hamari English School is located in Bangphur, Amarpur, Gomati Tripura. The school is affiliated to TBSE for Nursery to Class-VIII. It is also run by BCM.

Nograi Mission English School

Nograi Mission English School(NMES) is located is located in Nograi, Ompi, Gomoti Tripura. The school is affiliated to CBSE for Nursery to Class -VIII. It is run by Chekiye Village Baptist Church(CVBC), Nagaland.

Salgra Baptist Association(SBA)

Ebenezer High School

Ebenezer High School is located in Twiphuma, Manubazar,South Tripura District of Tripura. It was established in 1983. The school is affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

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 the Central Board of Secondary Education For KG to Class - X is affiliated to CBSE and For Class - XI & XII it is affiliated to TBSE.

Nazareth English School

Nazareth English School is Located in Tuidu Bazar, Gomati District, Tripura. Mainly For Classes from KG to Class VIII.


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.

Theological Institution

Tripura Theological College

The TBCU runs Tripura Theological College for courses in the Bachelor of Theology (B.Th) which is accredited by the Asia Theological Association (ATA)[7] from its mission compound in Agartala where mission workers are trained in Biblical doctrines and other theological studies. Presently, Rev. Bishu Kumar Debbarma 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 people of the state.

Presently under SNBA, a hospital is being constructed at Kaya Haduk, Patni village of West Tripura around 20 km from Agartala city.

Social service

Since its inception. the TBCU has been supporting several voluntary NGOs dedicated to the development of the poor tribals living in the remote hamlets of Tripura.

Institute of Community Transformation

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.


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:

Baibel Kthar

The Bible in Kaubru dialect for the Bru people called Bible kthar that is meaning Holy Bible. The New Testament called SMAIKTA and the OLD Testament called SMAIKCHAM. The translation by Rev. S.K. MSHA, and his team which was published by the Bible Society of India in 2011.

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:

Dan Thar

The New Testament of the Bible in (Molsom) language the dialect of the native people of Tripura. The translation team were:

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

According to a census published by the association in 2023, it claimed 84,795 members in 943 churches.[9]

Sl. No. Association Churches Baptized Members
1. Sadar North Baptist Association (SNBA) 156 21,000
2. Central Baptist Association (CBA) 92 6,500
3. Udaipur Baptist Association (UBA) 89 4,600
4. Kok Baptist Association (KOKBA) 60 3,800
5. Yarung Baptist Christian Association (YBCA) 50 4,600
6. Salgra 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. Jampui Longai Baptist Association (JLBA) 23 2,100
13. Songang Baptist Christian Association (SBCA) 12 750
14. Jampui Sakhan Baptist Association (JSBA) 11 6,700
15. Tripura Baptist A'chik Krima (TBAK)
16. Saizawm Sazai Baptist Association (SSBA) 48
17. Hachuk Haphar Baptist Association (HHBA) 12
Choir group from Mandwi Baptist Circle, Sadar North Baptist Association (SNBA)


Office bearers of TBCU

Union

Presidents

The list of presidents of the Union are as follows:[10]

Sl. No. Name Year
1. Mr. Abraham Sangma 1938-’39, 1939-‘40, 1940-’41
2. Rev. Tikendra Ghagra 1941-’42, 1942-‘43, 1952-‘53, 1964-‘65
3. Mr. Kamala Kanta Kubi 1944-‘45, 1945-’46
4. Rev. L. Luaia 1946-‘47
5. Rev. M. J. Eade 1947-‘48
6. Mr. Lianthanga 1948-‘49
7. Mr. Jogesh Rema 1949-‘50
8. Pastor Sukla Kumar Das 1950-‘51
9. Pastor Chawna 1951-‘52, 1953-‘54
10. Mr. Dhirendra Sangma 1954-‘55, 1960-‘61
11. Rev. Tlanglawma Darlong 1955-‘56, 1961-‘62,1969-‘70,1986-’87,1987-’88,1988-‘89
12. Rev. Tawna 1956-’57, 1957-‘58, 1970-‘71
13. Rev. Lalhuala Darlong 1958-’59, 1959-‘60, 1982-’83, 1983-’84, 1984-‘85
14. Rev. B. N. Eade 1962-‘63
15. Mr. Upendra Kumar Das 1965-‘66
16. Mr. L. L. Rokhum 1966-‘67
18. Rev. Lalsiama Darlong 1968-‘69, 1981-‘82. 1994-‘95
19. Mr. Johana Darlong 1971-‘72
20. Rev. Malsawma 1972-‘73, 1997-‘98
21. Rev. Elendra Marak 1973-‘74, 1990-‘91, 1993-‘94
22. Prof. D. L. Roy 1974-’75, 1975-’76, 1976-’77, 1977-‘78
23. Rev. Lalrema Darlong 1978-’79, 1979-’80, 1980-‘81
24. Rev. Rabindra Debbarma 1989-‘90, 1995-’96, 1996–97
25. Rev. Dakshina Ranjan Reang 1991-‘92, 2003-‘04, 2005-‘06, 2019-‘20
26. Rev. Jongbahadur Debbarma 1992-‘93, 1997-‘98, 2015-‘16
27. Rev. Mishil Kumar Molsom 1998-‘99
28. Rev. S. T. Pautu 1999-2000
29. Rev. Anil Debbarma 2000-‘01, 2016-‘17
30. Rev. Ngaituasunga Darlong 2001-‘02
31. Rev. Zokhuma Rokhum 2002-‘03, 2006-‘07, 2014-‘15
32. Rev. Ranakusum Debbarma 2004-‘05, 2012-‘13. 2020-‘21
33. Rev. Kishore Debbarma 2008-’09, 2009-‘10
34. Rev. Chandra Kanta Debbarma 2010-‘11
35. Rev. Sangzuala 2011-‘12
36. Rev. Nagendra Debbarma 2013-‘14
37. Rev. Rajani Kaipeng 2017-‘18
38. Rev. Jyotirmoy Debbarma 2018-‘19

Sadar North Baptist Association (SNBA)

Pastors of SNBA

  1. Rev. C. K. Debbarma (General Secretary, TBCU)
  2. Rev. Ranjit Debbarma (Executive Secretary, SNBA)
  3. Rev.Chandramoni Debbarma (Secretary, Sadar North Baptist Association)
  4. Rev. Nilmani Debbarma
  5. Rev. Biswa Kr. Debbarma
  6. Pastor Mangal Debbarma
  7. Pastor Manmohan Debbarma
  8. Pastor Barendra Debbarma (Shillong)
  9. Pastor Samendra Debbarma
  10. Evan. Shikha Debbarma
  11. Pastor Ajit Debbarma
  12. Pastor Sitaram Rupini
  13. Pastor Sushanta Debbarma
  14. Pastor Pradip Debbarma
  15. Pastor Mantu Debbarma
  16. Pastor Kishore Debbarma
  17. Pastor Bijoy Debbarma
  18. Pastor Ratan Debbarma
  19. Pastor Sukuram Debbarma
  20. Pastor Nripendra Debbarma
  21. Pastor Partha Sarathi Debbarma
  22. Pastor Sandhyaram Debbarma
  23. Pastor Rajkumar Debbarma
  24. Pastor Mithun Rupini
  25. Pastor Biswajit Debbarma
  26. Pastor Nitya Debbarma
  27. Pastor Brajendra Debbarma
  28. Pastor Manoranjan Debbarma
  29. Pastor Kishore (Yarwng) Debbarma
  30. Pastor Arun Debbarma
  31. Pastor Ajendra Debbarma
  32. Pastor Rwngthoma Debbarma
  33. Pastor Joseph Debbarma
  34. Pastor Manik Debbarma
  35. Pastor Somchati Debbarma
  36. Pastor Sunil Debbarma
  37. Pastor Malendra Debbarma
  38. Pastor Debojit Debbarma
  39. Pastor Sachin Debbarma
  40. Pastor Bijoy Debbarma
  41. Evan Amit Debbarma
  42. Evan Bishu kr Debbarma
  43. Evan Bharat Debbarma
  44. Evan Miss Ganga Debbarma
  45. E/T John Rupini
  46. E/T Siari Debbarma
  47. E/T Subasish Debbarma
  48. E/T Jico Debbarma
  49. Mr. Rabindra Debbarma (Driver)

Office Staff of SNBA

  1. Mr. Pitor Debbarma (Accountant)

Ordained Evangelists of SNBA

  1. Ord. Evan. Lalnunsiama (BCM Missionary)
  2. Ord. Evan. Lalchungnunga (JSBA Missionary)

Central Baptist Association (CBA)

Pastors of CBA The pastors of the CBA are:

  1. Rev. Jong Bahadur Debbarma (Retd)
  2. Rev. Asit Debbarma (Retd)
  3. Rev. Swapan Debbarma
  4. Rev. Surajit Debbarma
  5. Rev. Mohan Koloi
  6. Rev. Anil Debbarma (Retd)
  7. Rev. Ajit Debbarma
  8. Rev. Tripureswer Debbarma
  9. Rev. Sambhuram Debbarma
  10. Rev. Swadesh Debbarma
  11. Rev. Abiram Debbarma

Ordained Evangelists of CBA

  1. Ord. Evan. Aprajit Debbarma
  2. Ord. Evan. Sushil Debbarma
  3. Ord.Evan. Ranjit Debbarma
  4. Ord.Evan. Madhab Debbarma
  5. Ord.Evan. Satyaram Debbarma

Evangelists of CBA

  1. Evan. Dilip Debbarma
  2. Evan. Premananda Debbarma
  3. Evan. Laxman Debbarma
  4. Evan. Ranjan Debbarma
  5. Evan. Krishna Debbarma
  6. Evan. Bitta Debbarma
  7. Evan. Uttam Debbarma
  8. Evan. Saitya Debbarma
  9. Evan. Arup Debbarma

Kok Baptist Association (KOKBA)

Pastors of KOKBA The pastors of the KOKBA are:

  1. Rev. Jyotirmoy Debbarma
  2. Rev. Sunil Debbarma
  3. Rev. Malendra Debbarma
  1. Rev. Surnapada Jamatia
  2. Rev. Dharmendra Debbarma
  3. Rev. Samaresh Debbarma

Ordained Evangelists of KOKBA

  1. Dhiman Debbarma

Ordained Evangelists of KOKBA

  1. Evan. Philip Rupini
  2. Evan. Kishore Debbarma
  3. Evan. Manoj Kumar Debbarma
  4. Evan. Sanjoy Debbarma
  5. Evan. Ranju Debbarma
  6. Evan. Utpal Debbarma
  7. Evan. Biresh Debbarma
  8. Evan. Mansujit Debbarma
  9. Evan pradesh Debbarma

Udaipur Baptist Association (UBA)

The pastors of the UBA are:

  1. Rev. Debguru Jamatia
  2. Rev. Subraihamjak Jamatia
  3. Rev. Chandra Bahadur Jamatia

Ordained Evangelists of UBA

  1. Ord. Evan. Imangrai Jamatia
  2. Ord. Evan. Abraham Jamatia
  3. Ord. Evan. Uttam Kr. Jamatia
  4. Ord. Evan. Phaijak Jamatia

Evangelists of UBA

  1. Evan. Jiban Barma Jamatia
  2. Evan. Swlaijak Jamatia
  3. Evan. Nabin Chandra Jamatia
  4. Evan. Swapan Jamatia
  5. Evan. Bijoy Kumar Jamatia
  6. Evan. Bipad Sadhan Jamatia
  7. Evan. Baibel Kalai

Saisawm Sazai Baptist Association (SSBA)

SSBA pastors

  1. Rev.Dumbu moni Hrangkhawl (ES)
  2. Rev.Sidhantorai Molsom (Education)
  3. Rev.Dulirai Molsom
  4. Rev Neilutlian Kaipeng
  5. Rev Lalpanliana Molsom
  6. O/E. Ramedas Molsom
  7. Rev Mosia Molsom
  8. Rev. Chondrolal Molsom
  9. Rev.Vanlalnghaka Kuki
  10. O/ETemlongir Hrangkhawl
  11. Rev.Joykumar Kaipeng

List of churches affiliated to TBCU

Sadar North Baptist Association (SNBA)

Abhicharan Baptist Pastoral Circle

Borkathal Baptist Pastoral Circle

Champaknagar Baptist Pastoral Circle

Dakdu Baptist Pastoral Circle

Hezamara Baptist Pastoral Circle

Jamilwng Baptist Pastoral Circle

Khumulwng Baptist Pastoral Circle

Mandwi Baptist Pastoral Circle

Central Baptist Association (CBA)

Bishramganj Baptist Pastoral Circle

City Baptist Pastoral Circle

Gabardi Baptist Pastoral Circle

Jampui Baptist Pastoral Circle

Takarjala Baptist Pastoral Circle

Udaipur Baptist Association (UBA)

Amarpur Baptist Pastoral Circle

Marandi Baptist Pastoral Circle

Pitra Baptist Pastoral Circle

Kok Baptist Association (KOKBA)

Salgra Baptist Association (SBA)

Dhanu Chowdhury Baptist Pastoral Circle

Thailik Twisa Baptist Pastoral Circle

Bankul Baptist Pastoral Circle

Khakchang Baptist Pastoral Circle

Desharam Baptist Pastoral Circle

Saisawm Sazai Baptist Association

Gongrai Pastor Circle

Gamagur Pastor Circle[edit]

Kamlachora Pastor Circle

Kamalpur Baptist Association (KBA)


Kailasahar Baptist Christian Association (KBCA)

Songang Baptist Christian Association (SBCA)

Controversies

The state government of Tripura accused the organization of lending support to separatist NLFT rebels.[11]

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",[12] have been forcing local tribals to convert to Christianity at gunpoint and threatening to murder participants in Hindu festivals.[11][13][14] It is believed that as many as 5,000 tribal villagers were converted in this fashion over two years.[13] 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.[15]

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.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Indian Member Bodies". Asia Pacific Baptist Federation. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  2. ^ "Baptist World Alliance - Home". bwanet.org. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  3. ^ "Regional Christian Councils". nccindia.in. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  4. ^ Origin and Growth of Christianity in Tripura (Sukhendu Debbarma, 1996)
  5. ^ Debbarma, S. (1996). Origin and Growth of Christianity in Tripura: With Special Reference to the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society, 1938-1988. Indus Publishing Company. ISBN 9788173870385.
  6. ^ "SaintPaulsSchool.com is for Sale! @ DomainMarket.com". saintpaulsschool.com. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  7. ^ ATA -> Tipura Theological College
  8. ^ "Tranzsend - tranzsend - New Zealand Baptists in Global Mission". tranzsend.org.nz. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  9. ^ Baptist World Alliance, Members, baptistworld.org, USA, retrieved May 5, 2023
  10. ^ TBCU Presidents, AK
  11. ^ a b c "Church backing Tripura rebels". BBC News. 18 April 2000.
  12. ^ Adam; de Cordier; Titeca; Vlassenroot (2007). "In the Name of the Father? - Christian Militantism in Tripura, Northern Uganda, and Ambon". Studies in Conflict and Terrorism. 30 (11): 963. doi:10.1080/10576100701611288. S2CID 145364791.
  13. ^ a b rediff.com: Tribals unite against conversions in Tripura
  14. ^ "Separatist group bans Hindu festivities". BBC News. 2 October 2000.
  15. ^ Adam; de Cordier; Titeca; Vlassenroot (2007). "In the Name of the Father? Christian Militantism in Tripura, Northern Uganda, and Ambon". Studies in Conflict and Terrorism. 30 (11): 965, 966, 967. doi:10.1080/10576100701611288. S2CID 145364791.

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