Sadar North Baptist Association (SNBA) is a Baptist Christian denomination in Tripura. It is located within the West Tripura district of Tripura in India.

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 of 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 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, 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. Barendra 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 nine Pastoral Circles, namely: Mandwi Baptist Pastoral Circle. Dakdu Baptist Pastoral Circle. Champaknagar Baptist Pastoral Circle. Abhicharan Baptist Pastoral Circle. Jamilwng Baptist Pastoral Circle. Khumulwng Baptist Pastoral Circle. Hezamara Baptist Pastoral Circle. Borkathal Baptist Pastoral Circle. Hatal Baptist Pastoral Circle

Sadar North Baptist Women's Society (SNBWS) President: Mrs.Anjali Debbarma(Agartala City Baptist Church) Secretary: Mrs. Ajali Debbarma (Agartala City Baptist Church)

Sadar North Baptist Sikla Bodol (SNBSB) President: Er. Sukumani Debbarma Secretary: Rev. Partha Sarathi Debbarma

Sunday School Committee Convener: Rev. Mangal Debabrma Member: Rev. Nilmani Debbarma Member: Ord. Evan. C. K. Chhoma.

Affiliated organisations

Schools The association runs four English Medium schools, namely: Yakhili Academy (in Khumulwng) 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, Mandwi Baptist Pastoral Circle.

Statistics

According to a census published by the association in 2023, it claimed 23,500 members and 191 churches.Baptist World Alliance, Members, baptistworld.org, USA, retrieved 5 May 2023

SNBA Census Description/Particulars 2001 2010 2025Churches 84 129 185Fellowships 5 7 3Members 8,562 20,943 22,531* Male members 4,411 11,203 * Female members 4,151 9,740 Minors 2,972 4,533 4,729Government Employees 947 1,480 1,628Christian Families 2,128 4,332 Workers of SNBA 13 52 58Pastors 8 10 38Evangelists 4 27 19Others 1 2 1Deacons 77 183 341Life Deacons 2 6 38

Missionaries There are eight missionaries working in SNBA. Missionaries are mainly from four organisations: Baptist Church of Mizoram Evangelical Church of Maraland 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, Bagbari Baptist Church , and Khumulwng Baptist Church, 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

Mwsandwikhor Baptist Pastoral Circle

Mwsandwikhor (1994) Garing Kami (1994) Shankhola (1995) Doldoli (1998) Chandranath (2003)

Hasing Auar (2005) Matia (2006) Bethlehem (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) Kha Kotor (2004) Sipai (2006)

Khampar kami (2008) Pohor (2009) Gamsa Kwpra (2010) Naran Kami Thansa (2023)

Khumulwng Baptist Pastoral Circle

Kalasati (1976) Dashram (1985) Joygobind (1986) Khutamura (1987)

Khakchangma (1988) Chichima Awar (1988) Muichingor (1990) Chhoigoria (1990)

Bardhaman Thakur (1997) Khumulwng (1998) Langma (2005) Dula Kwpra (2005)

Khasrang (2006) Galili (2007) Chukhani yakhili (2008) Immanuel (2010)

Konai Hamkrai Bahu Chandra Khabaksa Gangaram Larima Hebron Yapri Kwtal Baptist Fellowship

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)

See also Tripura Baptist Christian Union Baptist World Alliance Christianity in Tripura Jampui Sakhan Baptist Association

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