Sadar North Baptist Association

History

SNBA started as a small circle within the Central Baptist Association of Tripura Baptist Christian Union (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 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) 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:

1. President: Mr. Birolal Debbarma
2. Secretary: Rev. Rabindra Debbarma
3. 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, Holy Spirit and the one and only omnipotent Father God.

Organization

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

Office

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

The association is registered under the Tripura Baptist Christian Union (TBCU). The association is located within the West Tripura district of Tripura state in India.

Baptist Pastoral Circles

SNBA has eight Pastoral Circles, namely:

1. Mandwi Baptist Pastoral Circle.
2. Dakdu Baptist Pastoral Circle.
3. Champaknagar Baptist Pastoral Circle.
4. Abhicharan Baptist Pastoral Circle.
5. Jamilwng Baptist Pastoral Circle.
6. Khumulwng Baptist Pastoral Circle.
7. Hezamara Baptist Pastoral Circle.
8. Borkathal Baptist Pastoral Circle.

Sadar North Baptist Women's Society (SNBWS)

Sadar North Baptist Sikla Bodol (SNBSB)

Sunday School Committee

Schools

The association runs four English Medium schools, namely:

1. Yakhili Academy (in Khumulwng)
2. Tipprah Academy (in Borokathal)
3. Salka Academy (in Hezamara)
4. 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, Mandwi Baptist Pastoral Circle.

Statistics

SNBA Census

Workers

The workers of Sadar North Baptist Association have been grouped mainly into five categories as below:

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.

1. Rev. C. K. Debbarma (Executive Secretary, SNBA)
2. Rev. Sukuram Debbarma (Secretary, Jamilwng Pastoral Circle)
3. Rev. Nilmani Debbarma (Secretary, SNBA)
4. Rev. Mangal Debbarma (Secretary, Dakdu Pastoral Circle)
5. Rev. Ranjit Debbarma
6. Rev. Biswa Debbarma (Secretary, Abhicharan Pastoral Circle)
7. Rev. Charanjoy Rupini (Secretary, Champaknagar Pastoral Circle)
8. Rev. Chandramoni Debbarma (Secretary, Borkathal Pastoral Circle)
9. Rev. Kishore Kr. Debbarma (Secretary, Mandwi Pastoral Circle)
10. Rev. Manmohan Debbarma (Secretary, SNBSB & Secretary, Khumulwng Pastoral Circle)
11. Rev. Barendra Debbarma (Secretary, Hezamara Pastoral Circle)
12. Rev. Samendra Debbarma

The pastors are allocated their postings anywhere in the association. They have been trained by theological colleges from various parts of India like Bangalore, New Delhi, and Silchar.

Ordained evangelists

1. Ord. Evan. C. K. Chhoma (E.C.M. Missionary)
2. Ord. Evan. Hmingliana Darlong (K.B.C.A. Missionary)
3. Ord. Evan. V. Pawha (E.C.M. Missionary)
4. Ord. Evan. Lalnunsiama (Z.B.M. Missionary)

Evangelists

There are evangelists in SNBA.

1. Evan. Shikha Debbarma
2. Evan. Ajit Debbarma
3. Evan. Sitaram Rupini
4. Evan. Sushanta Debbarma
5. Evan. Pradip Debbarma
6. Evan. Kishore Debbarma
7. Evan. Bijoy Debbarma
8. Evan. Ratan Debbarma
9. Evan. Sukuram Debbarma
10. Evan. Nripendra Debbarma (Sat Para Baptist Church)
11. Evan. Partha Sarathi Debbarma ( Abicharan Baptist Church)
12. Evan. Sandhyaram Debbarma (on Training0
13. Evan. Rajkumar Debbarma (on Training0
14. Evan. Mithun Rupini (on training)
15. Evan. Biswajit Debbarma (on training)
16. Evan. Nitya Debbarma
17. Evan. Brajendra Debbarma (on Training)
18. Evan. Manoranjan Debbarma
19. Evan. Kishore(Yarwng) Debbarma
20. Evan. Arun Debbarma
21. Evan. Ajendra Debbarma (on Training)
22. Evan. Rwngthoma Debbarma
23. Evan. Joseph Debbarma
24. Evan. Manik Debbarma (on training)
25. Evan. Somchati Debbarma
26. Evan. Sunil Debbarma
27. Evan. Malendra Debbarma
28. Evan. Debojit Debbarma
29. Evan. Sachin Debbarma
30. Evan. Puskumar Debbarma
31. Evan. Amit Debbarma
32. Evan. Bijoy (Kothoma) Debbarma
33. E/T John Rupini
34. E/T Siari Debbarma
35. E/T Mrs. Elemi Debbarma
36. E/T Subasish Debbarma
37. Mr. Rabindra Debbarma ( Driver )

Office staff

Mr. Mantu Debbarma Mr. Pitor Debbarma (Accountant)

Missionaries

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

Affiliated churches

Some churches like Kisong Baptist Church, Bhuban Chontai Baptist Church and Khumulwng Baptist Church have huge strength of members whereas others 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: