Sadar North Baptist Association (SNBA) is a

Baptist Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only (believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul compete ...

Christian denomination A Christian denomination is a distinct religious body within Christianity that comprises all church congregations of the same kind, identifiable by traits such as a name, particular history, organization, leadership, theological doctrine, worsh ...

Tripura Tripura (, Bengali: ) is a state in Northeast India. The third-smallest state in the country, it covers ; and the seventh-least populous state with a population of 36.71 lakh ( 3.67 million). It is bordered by Assam and Mizoram to the east a ...

. It is located within the

West Tripura West Tripura is an administrative district in the state of Tripura in India. The district headquarters are located at Agartala. As of 2012 it is the most populous district of Tripura (out of 8). Geography Climate District Profile The inform ...

district of Tripura in

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

. As of 2014, SNBA had more than 21,000 members and 156 churches.

History

SNBA started as a small circle within the Central Baptist Association of

Tripura Baptist Christian Union 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) and the Baptist Wor ...

(TBCU). It later on evolved and developed into a full-fledged association of TBCU with many churches affiliated to it. Today there are around more than 150 churches and fellowships within Sadar North Baptist Association. Some the pioneers of the Baptist's in Sadar North is Life Deacon Biralal Debbarma (one of the first three Christians in the

Kokborok Kokborok (also known as Tripuri or Tiprakok) is the main native language of the Tripuri people of the Indian state of Tripura and neighbouring areas of Bangladesh. Its name comes from ''kok'' meaning "verbal" and ''borok'' meaning "people" or ...

speaking community and the ex-President of SNBA) and the Late Rev. Rabindra Debbarma.

Birth

Before its birth as a full association the SNBA was one of the four Pastoral Circles under the Central Baptist Association. As churches grew rapidly with more new believers everywhere in the state, the Annual Assembly Session of Tripura Baptist Christian Union which was held in Subhash Nagar (

North Tripura North Tripura is an administrative district in the state of Tripura in India. The district headquarters are located at Dharmanagar. The district occupies an area of 1422.19 km² and has a population of 693,947 (as of 2011). History The t ...

) on 23–26 February 1989 passed resolution that the Circles (e.g., South, Udaipur, Saisawm Sazai, and Sadar North) be given the full status of Associations. And it was how the Sadar North Baptist Association was established as an Association in the month of February 1989. The leaders of the newly born Association with the kind presence of Rev. Hnehliana, the then General Secretary of TBCU, met prayerfully on 25 March 1989 at Durga Chowdhury Baptist Church and formed the first Executive Committee of the Association on ad hoc basis. The first members selected for the Executive Committee were: # President: Mr. Birolal Debbarma # Secretary: Rev. Rabindra Debbarma # Treasurer: Mr. Chandra Kanta Debbarma.

Faith and doctrine

SNBA is based on the principles of Baptist theology and doctrines and is strongly threaded and bounded by firm faith on

Jesus Christ Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious ...

Holy Spirit In Judaism, the Holy Spirit is the divine force, quality, and influence of God over the Universe or over his creatures. In Nicene Christianity, the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost is the third person of the Trinity. In Islam, the Holy Spirit acts as ...

and the one and only omnipotent

Father God God the Father is a title given to God in Christianity. In mainstream trinity, trinitarian Christianity, God the Father is regarded as the first person of the Trinity, followed by the second person, God the Son Jesus Christ, and the third pers ...

Organization

SNBA has the highest strength of Kokborok speaking Baptist community in Tripura.

Office

The association is led by the Executive Secretary, Rev. Ranjit Debbarma, and has its head-office in Baptist Mission Compound, Arundhutinagar,

Agartala Agartala () is the capital city of the Indian state of Tripura, and is one of the largest cities in northeast India. The city is governed by the Agartala Municipal Corporation. The city is the seat of the Government of Tripura. It is located on ...

. The association is registered under the

(TBCU). The association is located within the West Tripura district of Tripura state in India.

Baptist Pastoral Circles

SNBA has eight Pastoral Circles, namely: #

Mandwi Mandwi is a town in the Sadar sub-division of the States of India, state of Tripura in the West Tripura district in India. It is in the Mandwi Rural Development Block Description Mandwi (Mandai) is settled over a Summit (topography), hilltop. ...

Baptist Pastoral Circle. # Dakdu Baptist Pastoral Circle. #

Champaknagar Champaknagar is a small town some 30 km away from Agartala, the State capital of Tripur, India on the banks of river Haora River, Saidra. Education * Champaknagar H.S School * Tripura Loka Sikshalaya High School * Montfort Higher Secondary Sc ...

Baptist Pastoral Circle. # Abhicharan Baptist Pastoral Circle. # Jamilwng Baptist Pastoral Circle. #

Khumulwng Khumulwng is a town in the West Tripura district in the Indian state of Tripura. It is the headquarters and the largest town of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council. History Khumulwng was established in 1991. The TTAADC headquar ...

Baptist Pastoral Circle. # Hezamara Baptist Pastoral Circle. # Borkathal Baptist Pastoral Circle.

Sadar North Baptist Women's Society (SNBWS)

*President: Mrs. Sabita Debbarma ( Joygobind Baptist Church) *Secretary: Mrs. Anjali Debbarma (Agartala City Baptist Church)

Sadar North Baptist Sikla Bodol (SNBSB)

*President: Moses Debbarma *Secretary: Samson Debbarma

Sunday School Committee

*Convener: Evan. Lalnunsiama *Member: Rev. Nilmani Debbarma *Member: Ord. Evan. C. K. Chhoma.

Affiliated organisations

Schools

The association runs four English Medium schools, namely: # Yakhili Academy (in

) # Tipprah Academy (in Barkathal) # Salka Academy (in Hezamara) # Pohor Academy (in Burakha)

Hospital

The foundation for a new hospital under the association was laid on 30 September 2013 for which the construction is underway. Sponsored by: Sadar North Baptist Women Society (SNBWS) Location: Patni Village, Borokathal Baptist Pastoral Circle (around 20 km from Agartala city).

Institute of Community Transformation

Sponsored by Seva Bharat (Mission India) Location: Madhab Baptist Church,

Baptist Pastoral Circle.

Statistics

SNBA Census

Workers

The workers of Sadar North Baptist Association have been grouped mainly into five categories as below: * Pastor * Pro-Pastor * Ordained Evangelist * Evangelist * Office Worker

Pastors

The SNBA has 11 pastors working in various locations under it, except for Rev. R. K. Debbarma who is the Secretary of TBCU now and is posted for TBCU Head Office in Agartala. The pastors under SNBA are. # Rev.Dr.C. K. Debbarma (General Secretary, TBCU) # Rev. Nilmani Debbarma (B.Th, MRE) # Rev. Mangal Debbarma (Secretary, Mandwi Pastoral Circle) # Rev. Ranjit Debbarma(Executive Secretary, SNBA,B.Th,M.Th) # Rev. Biswa Debbarma # Rev. Charanjoy Rupini # Rev. Chandramoni Debbarma (Secretary, SNBA, B.Th) # Rev. Kishore Kr. Debbarma (B.T, M.Th) # Rev. Manmohan Debbarma (B.Th) # Rev. Barendra Debbarma (B.Th) # Rev. Samendra Debbarma(B.Th) # Pastor Sukuram Debbarma (B.Th) # Pastor Sitaram Rupini(B. Th) # Pastor Sushanta Debbarma(B. Th) # Pastor Pradip Debbarma(B. Th) # Pastor Kishore Debbarma(B. Th) # Pastor Bijoy Debbarma(B. Th) # Pastor Ratan Debbarma(B. Th) # Pastor Ajit Debbarma (B. Th) # Pastor Rajkumar Debbarm (B.Th) # Pastor Rwngthoma Debbarma(B.Th) # Pastor Joseph Debbarma(B.Th) The pastors are allocated their postings anywhere in the association. They have been trained by

theological Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the divine and, more broadly, of religious belief. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itself with the unique content of analyzing the ...

colleges from various parts of India like

Bangalore Bangalore (), officially Bengaluru (), is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It has a population of more than and a metropolitan population of around , making it the third most populous city and fifth most ...

, New Delhi, and

Silchar Silchar is a city and the headquarters of the Cachar district of the state of Assam, India. It is located south east of Guwahati. It was founded by Captain Thomas Fisher in 1832 when he shifted the headquarters of Cachar to Janiganj in Silchar. ...

Pro.Pastor

# Pastor Nripendra Debbarma (B.Th) # Pastor Partha Sarathi Debbarma (B.Th) # Pastor Sandhyaram Debbarma (B.Th) # Pastor Mithun Rupini (M.Div) # Pro.Pastor Biswajit Debbarma (B.D) # Pastor. Brajendra Debbarma (M.Div) # Pastor Ajendra Debbarma (M.Div)

Ordained evangelists

# Ord.Evan. Zununsanga (Z.B.M. Missionary) # Ord.Evan. Pianruala (JSBA Missionary) # Ord.Evan. Lalnunsiama (Z.B.M. Missionary) #Ord.Evan. Lalnunchhunga (JSBA, Missionary)

Evangelists

There are evangelists in SNBA. # Evan. Mrs. Shikha Debbarma # Evan. Nitya Debbarma(B.Th) # Evan. Manoranjan Debbarma (B.D) # Evan. Kishore(Yarwng) Debbarma (B.D) # Evan. Manik Debbarma (B.D) # Evan. Somchati Debbarma (B.D.) # Evan. Sunil Debbarma(B.TH) # Evan. Malendra Debbarma(B.Th) # Evan. Debojit Debbarma(B.D) # Evan. Sachin Debbarma(B.Th) # Evan. Amit Debbarma # Evan. Bijoy (Kothoma) Debbarma(M.DIV) # Evan. Bishu Debbarma(B.D) # Evan. Miss Ganga Debbarma # Evan. Bharat Debbarma # Evan. Mantu Debbarma(B.D)

Evangelist-Teacher

# E/T Jico Debbarma(B.Ed)(School) # E/T Ajesh Debbarma(School) # E/T John Rupini(School) # E/T Siari Debbarma(School) # E/T Mrs. Elemi Debbarma(B.Ed)(School) # E/T Subasish Debbarma(B.Ed)(School)

Office staff

# Evan. Arun Debbarma(Offic Assistant, B.Th) # Mr. Pitor Debbarma (Accountant) # Mr. Rabindra Debbarma (Driver)

Missionaries

There are eight missionaries working in SNBA. Missionaries are mainly from four organisations: *

Baptist Church of Mizoram Baptist Church of Mizoram is a Baptist Christian denomination in India. It is affiliated with the Baptist World Alliance. The headquarters is in Lunglei, Mizoram. History The Baptist Church of Mizoram has its origins in an English Baptist mi ...

Evangelical Church of Maraland Evangelical Church of Maraland is a church in southern Mizoram in northeast India. It was founded by English missionary Reverend and Mrs Reginald Arthur Lorrain (brother of missionary James Herbert Lorrain) in 1907. It is the largest church amon ...

* Jampui Sakhan Baptist Association * Kailashahar Baptist Christian Association

Affiliated churches

Some churches like Zion Baptist Church, Kisong Baptist Church, Jangalia Baptist Church, Abhicharan Baptist Church, Bhuban Chontai Baptist Church, and

Khumulwng Baptist Church Khumulwng is a town in the West Tripura district in the Indian state of Tripura. It is the headquarters and the largest town of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council. History Khumulwng was established in 1991. The TTAADC headquar ...

, have huge strength of members whereas others like churches like Roktia Baptist Church, and Rasu Baptist Church, have less strength of members. The affiliated churches with foundation date are listed below according to the Pastoral Circles:

Abhicharan Baptist Pastoral Circle

* Kisong (1973) * Dofidar (1977) * Rajghat (1977) * Durga Choudhury Kami (1982) * Abhicharan (1983) * Wala Kami (1983) * Lefunga (1987) * Sadhiram (1988) * Kainta Kwpra (1990) * Habildar (1990) * Twisa Kwthang (1992) * Mokam (1993) * Bokjur (2002) * Twisa Kwchang (2006) * Rojong (2006) * Kumaribil (2006) * Phota Kami (2007) * Raikanai (2008) * Raj Chantai (2010) * Kanto Kwpra (2010) * Maikhor (2012)

Borkathal Baptist Pastoral Circle

* Debra (1978) * Bosong thansa (1980) * Borkathal (1986) * Doigola (1987) * Belphang (1987) * Bargachia (1988) * Khwichang (1988) * Patni (1989) * Yacharai (1991) * Tokmakari (1994) * Hathai Kwchang (2005) * Chakhuma (2006) * Khampar (2007) * Bag Kami (2008) * Radhanagar (2008) * Salka (2010) * Dugurai * Urua Kami (2012) * Twibru * Twiraja

Champaknagar Baptist Pastoral Circle

* Khamting (1971) * Bhrigudas (1977) * Joynagar (1988) * Jangalia (1988) * Goyacharan (1989) * Kulang Thagu (2013) * Sobhamani (1990) * Sinai Kami (1991) * Maharam Sardar (1993) * Hamari (1993) * Rasu (1994) * Rangking * Sarat Sardar (1995) * Roktia (1997) * Debra (1999) * Lalit Mohan (1999) * Chokhreng (2003) * Borduar * Waraitwisa (2004) * Duranta (2005) * Uakjara (2005) * Chandra Sadhu (2006) * Immanuel (2007) * Mang Kanto (2008) * Rabicharan Thakur (2010) * Nareng (2010) * Thastwi Hatai (2011) * Sambhusadhu (2012)

Dakdu Baptist Pastoral Circle

* Binon Kwpra (1975) * Bhuban Chantai (1979) * Madhab (1980) * Sonamoni Sipai (1983) * New Testament (1984) * Boidya Kwpra (1986) * Ramchandra (1990) * Sibram (1998) * Sridam Kwpra (1999) * Chamathwi (2007) * Sikwrai Kwpra (2007) * Badramisip (2008) * Thang Kami (2008) * Lamkwthar (2010) * Burakha (2010) * Aitorma (2011) * Kha Kwtal (2014) * Boirwng

Hezamara Baptist Pastoral Circle

* Hezamara (1994) * Garing Kami (1994) * Shankhola (1995) * Doldoli (1998) * Chandranath (2003) * Hasing Auar (2005) * Matia (2006) * Sonaram Industry (2008) * Twisa Kuphur (2009) * Bargatha (2010) * Ganthalwng * Dagia

Jamilwng Baptist Pastoral Circle

* Bagbari (1978) * Bhati Fatik Cherra (1987) * Agartala City (1988) * Singlwng (1990) * Gangalwng (1993) * Jamilwng (1995) * Kami Kwtal (1997) * Hamari (2003) * Khakotor (2004) * Sipai (2006) * Khampar kami (2008) * Pohor (2009) * Gamsa Kwpra (2010) * Naran Kami

Khumulwng Baptist Pastoral Circle

* Kalasati (1976) * Zion (1983) * Dashram (1985) * Joygobind (1986) * Khutamura (1987) * Khakchangma (1988) * Sukia Kwpra (1988) * Muichingor (1990) * Chhoigoria (1990) * Birchandra (1996) * Bardhaman Thakur (1997) * Khumulwng (1998) * Rangchak (2000) * Langma (2005) * Dula Kwpra (2005) * Khasrang (2006) * Galili (2007) * Mohan Kwpra (2008) * Kandra (2008) * Immanuel (2010) * Bas Kwpra (2013) * Rambuk (2014) * Kandra

Mandwi Baptist Pastoral Circle

* Thaiplok Phang (1977) * Manikung (1978) * Matham (1983) * Mandwi (1986) * Udai Kwpra (1987) * Bishram (1989) * Khengrai (1989) * Sat Para (1996) * Nepal Mura (1996) * Naba Chandra (1997) * Begram (1999) * Lakhan Kwpra (2000) * Bethel (2000) * Baludum (2005) * Hachwk Madhab (2007) * Kanta Kobra (2009) * Nolbogola (2009) * Dondra (2015) * Kherengbar (2010) * Chhoigoria (2010) * Chairgoria (2013) * Emau (2013) * Bokhiri (2013) * Narayan kami (2016)

References

* Debbarma, Sukhendu (1996
''Origin and Growth of Christianity in Tripura: With Special Reference to the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society, 1938–1988''
Indus Publishing, New Delhi. * Borok Baptist Convention, Rangchak Mukumu, 2010

External links

SadarNorth.Org
the Official ePortal of Sadar North Baptist Association
Baptist World Alliance
Tripura Baptist Christian Union Baptist denominations in India Christianity in Tripura Christian organizations established in 1989 Baptist denominations established in the 20th century {{Churches in India