Sadar North Baptist Association (SNBA) is the largest Kokborok speaking Baptist

Baptist

Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...

 community in Tripura

Tripura

Tripura is a state in North-East India, with an area of . It is the third smallest state of India, according to area. Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on the north, south, and west. The Indian states of Assam and Mizoram lie to the east. The capital is Agartala and the main languages spoken are...

. It is located within the Sadar sub-division of West Tripura district of Tripura in India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

. It has around 16,000 communicant members within Sadar

Sadar

Sadar may refer to* Sadar - A buffalo festival celebrated in Hyderabad* Sadar Bazaar - A market in New Delhi...

 subdivision.

History

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

Tripura Baptist Christian Union

The Tripura Baptist Christian Union is the largest protestant church body in the Indian state of Tripura. It has its head office in Agartala, the state capital. It has been found lending support to the banned terrorist organization, NLFT.-History:...

 (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 100 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 Late Rev. Rabindra Debbarma.

The birth of Sadar North Baptist Association

Before its birth as a full association the Sadar North Baptist Association was one of the four Pastor 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 March 25, 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.

And from that day onward the Sadar North Baptist Association has been growing.

The Faith and Doctrine

SNBA is based on the principles of Baptist

Baptist

Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...

 theology and doctrines and is strongly threaded and bounded by firm faith on Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...

 and the one and only omnipotent Father God.

Organization

SNBA, as Sadar North Baptist Association is abbreviated, has the highest strength of Kokborok speaking Baptist

Baptist

Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...

 community in Tripura. Estimates says that there are roughly 16,000 baptists in Sadar North. The Executive Secretary of SNBA is Rev. Chandra Kanta Debbarma.

There are more than 130 churches and fellowships. It has four Church Circles, namely:

1. Mandwi
   Mandwi
   Mandwi is a town in the Sadar sub-division of the state of Tripura in the West Tripura district in India. It is in the Mandwi Rural Development Block-Description:...
   
    Baptist Circle.
2. Abhicharan
   Abhicharan
   Abhicharan is a village in Sadar sub-division of West Tripura district of Tripura, India. The people here belong to the Tripuri tribe and they speak Kokborok. The government figure for the population is 2822. The village has amenities like telephones, schools, rice-mill, markets and also it is...
   
    Baptist Circle.
3. Khumulwng
   Khumulwng
   Khumulwng is a town in the West Tripura district in Tripura , India. It is the headquarters and the largest town of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council.-History:Khumulwng was established in 1991...
   
    Baptist Circle.
4. Hezamara
   Hezamara
   Hezamara is a village in the Sadar subdivision of the West Tripura district in Tripura, India. The village is located between Sidhai-Mohanpur and Simna on the main road. Hezamara also serves as a link to the town of Khowai in Khowai subdivision....
   
    Baptist Circle.

Office

The Association is led by the Executive Secretary (Rev. Kishore Debbarma) having its head-office in Baptist Mission Compound, Arundhutinagar, Agartala.

The Association is registered under the TBCU

Tripura Baptist Christian Union

The Tripura Baptist Christian Union is the largest protestant church body in the Indian state of Tripura. It has its head office in Agartala, the state capital. It has been found lending support to the banned terrorist organization, NLFT.-History:...

. The Association is located within the Sadar sub-division of West Tripura district of Tripura

Tripura

Tripura is a state in North-East India, with an area of . It is the third smallest state of India, according to area. Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on the north, south, and west. The Indian states of Assam and Mizoram lie to the east. The capital is Agartala and the main languages spoken are...

.

Workers of SNBA

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 of SNBA

The Sadar North Baptist Association currently 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. R. K. Debbarma (Secretary, TBCU)
3. Rev. Nilmani Debbarma (Secretary, SNBA)
4. Rev. Mangal Debbarma (President, SNBYF)
5. Rev. Ranjit Debbarma (Secretary, SNBYF)
6. Rev. Biswa Debbarma
7. Rev. Phaiamanik Rupini
8. Rev. Charanjoy Rupini
9. Rev. Chuansekhor Debbarma
10. Rev. Chandramoni Debbarma
11. Rev. Kishore Debbarma

The pastors are allocated their postings anywhere in the Association. The Association has benefitted very much due to the faithful and selfless services and deeds done by the pastors of the Association. They have been trained by theological colleges from various parts of India like Bangalore

Bangalore

Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...

, New Delhi

New Delhi

New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...

, Silchar

Silchar

Silchar is the headquarters of Cachar district in the state of Assam in India. It is the economic gateway to the state of Mizoram and part of Manipur. It is south east of Guwahati. The city of Silchar has tremendous commercial importance and is the second largest city in the state of Assam...

, and so on.

Evangelists of SNBA

There are evangelists in SNBA.

1. O/Evan. V. Pawha (E.C.M. Missionary)
2. o/Evan. Lalnunsiama (Z.B.M. Missionary)
3. p/P. Manmohan Debbarma
4. Evan. Samarendra Debbarma
5. Evan. Barendra Debbarma
6. Evan. Shikha Debbarma
7. Evan. Ajit Debbarma
8. Evan.Sitaram Rupini
9. Evan.Sushanta Debbarma
10. Evan.Pradip Debbarma
11. Mr. Mantu Debbarma (office bearer)
12. Evan Kishore Debbarma
13. Evan Bijoy Debbarma
14. Evan Ratan Debbarma
15. Evan Evan Sukuram Debbarma
16. Evan Nripendra Debbarma
17. evan Partha sarathi Debbarma
18. Evan Sandhyaram Debbarma
19. Evan Rajkr. Debbarma
20. Evan Mithun Rupini
21. Evan Biswajit Debbarma
22. Evan Nitya Debbarma
23. Evan Brajendra Debbarma
24. Evan Manoranjan Debbarma
25. Evan Evan kishore2 debbarma
26. Evan Arun Debbarma
27. Evan Ajendra Debbarma
28. Evan Rwngthoma Debbarma
29. Evan Joshep Debbarma
30. Evan Manik Debbarma
31. Evan Government Debbarm
32. Evan Sunil Debbarma
33. Evan Malendra Debbarma
34. Evan Debojit Debbarma
35. Evan Sachin Debbarma
36. Evan Puskumar Debabarma
37. E/T John Rupini
38. E/T Siari Debbarma
39. E/T Mrs, Elimi Debbarma
40. E/T Subasish Debbarma
41. Mr. Rabindra Deabbarma ( Driver )

Missionaries working in SNBA

Presently there are 7 missionaries working in SNBA. Missionaries are mainly from three places:

• Baptist Church of Mizoram
• Evangelical Church of Maraland
  Maraland
  Maraland is one of the three Autonomous District Councils within Mizoram state of India. The Mara Autonomous District Council government is headed by Chief Executive Member, Puhpa S.Khipo, a veteran Congress politician.-Religion:...
  
  
• Jampui Sakhan Baptist Association

Schools

The Association runs two English Medium schools, namely:

1. Yakhili Academy (in Khumulwng
   Khumulwng
   Khumulwng is a town in the West Tripura district in Tripura , India. It is the headquarters and the largest town of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council.-History:Khumulwng was established in 1991...
   
   )
2. Tipprah Academy (in Borokathal)

Institute of Community Transformation

• Sponsored by Seva Bharat (Mission India)

Location: Madhab Baptist Church, Mandwi

Mandwi

Mandwi is a town in the Sadar sub-division of the state of Tripura in the West Tripura district in India. It is in the Mandwi Rural Development Block-Description:...

 Baptist Circle.

Sadar North Baptist Women's Society

• President: Mrs. Lalduhawmi Sailo (Agartala Baptist Church
  Agartala Baptist Church
  Agartala Baptist Church is a Baptist Church in the city of Agartala, the capital of Tripura state in India. It is affiliated to the Tripura Baptist Christian Union and is located in Arundhutinagar in the southern part of Agartala city.- Community :...
  
  )
• Secretary: Mrs. Anjali Debbarma (Agartala City Baptist Church
  Agartala City Baptist Church
  Agartala City Baptist Church is a Baptist Church in the city of Agartala, the capital of Tripura state in India. It is affiliated to the Tripura Baptist Christian Union and is located in Krishnanagar in the central part of Agartala city.- Community :...
  
  )

Sunday School Committee

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

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 are listed below according to 2001 data:

Churches in Mandwi Baptist Circle

• Rasu
• Roktia
• Sinai
• Khamting
• Joynagar

• Matham
• Borduar
• Madhob
• Mandwi
• Bethel

• Horisordar
• Udaikwpra
• Lokhonkwpra
• Boidhyakwpra
• Bhrigudas

• Ramchondro
• Satpara
• Sridamkwpra
• Bisram

• Lamkwthar
• Nepalmura
• Sibram
• Begram

• Binonkwpra
• Bhuban Chontai
• Thaiphlokphang
• Nobochondro

Churches in Khumulwng Baptist Circle

• Khumulwng
• Kalasathi
• Joygobin
• Goyachoron

• Khakchangma
• Mohoram Sordar
• Khutamara
• Jangalia

• Sorothsordar
• Chokhereng
• Birchondro
• Sukiakwpra

• Sodiram
• Muichinghor
• Chhoigoria
• Langma (F)

• Zion
• Dosram

Churches in Abhicharan Baptist Circle

• Abhicharan
• Lephunga
• Rajghat
• Gongalwng
• Habildar

• Lakshmilunga
• Kisong
• Durga Chowdhury
• Kamikwtal

• Agartala City Baptist Churh

B'Kha Kotor Baptist Church

• Mokam
• Walakami

• Bagbari
• Bhati Phatikchhora
• Gamsakwpra
• Singlwng

• Pohor
• Khampar
• Hamari
• Narayan Para

Churches in Hezamara Baptist Circle

• Hezamara
• Doldoli
• Borokathal

• Tokmakari
• Boiragi
• Doigola

• Khwichang
• Yachakrai
• Borgasia

• Chandranath
• Haching Auar
• Belphang

• Debra
• Hathai Kwchang (F)
• Khasrang (F)

• Khampar Baptist Church

• Twisa Kuphur Baptist Church,
• Daigia Baptist Church, Estd, 2010
• Borgatha Baptist Church,Estd,2010
• Matia B/c
• Sankhola B/C
• Garing kami B/c
• Bag Kami B/C
• Uruwa B/F
• Radhanagar B/c
• Twibru B/C
• Patni B/c
• Salka B/C
• Sonaram B/C

SNBA Census 2001

A census

Census

A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...

was conducted by the Association in order to know the actual strength and the statistics of the Association. It was conducted in the year 2001. The information collected from this census came out to be as follows:

Description/Particulars	Total
Churches	84
Fellowships	5
Communicant members	8562
* Male members	4411
* Female members	4151
Minor Members	2972
Government Employees	947
Christian Families	2128
Workers of SNBA	13
Pastors	8
Evangelists	4
Office Assistants	1
Deacons	77
Life Deacons	2

External links

• SadarNorth.Org, the Official ePortal of Sadar North Baptist Association
• Baptist World Alliance