Chin Baptist Convention, Chin State, Myanmar | |
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Chin Baptist Convention Logo
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Classification | Protestant |
Orientation | Baptist |
Congregations | 893 Churches (2013) |
Members | 202,991 (2013) |
Chin Baptist Convention, Myanmar was established in 1953 and located in Falam, Chin State, Myanmar. Today, the Chin Baptist Convention is the largest organization in Chin State consisting of 28 Associations and is also the second largest member body of the Myanmar Baptist Convention after the Karen Baptist Convention.
Rev. Arthur. E. Carson and Laura. H. Carson from the American Baptist International Ministries with the support of Karen missionaries arrived in Hakha, Chin Hills on 15 March 1899. After 5 years, Mr & Mrs Pau Suan and Mr & Mrs. Thuam Hang of Khuasak were converted to Christianity from Animism in 1904. Christianity slowly spread through Chin Hills and the Chin Hills Baptist Association was formed in 1907. The Chin Hills Baptist Association comprised Baptists from Falam, Hakha and Tedim subdivision. From the arrival of the Carsons in March 1899 to March 1948 the Chin Baptists were solely under the guidance of the Missionaries stationed at Tedim and Hakha. In March 1948, the Association held a meeting at Satawm village and the Falam, Tedim and Hakha decided to run their own business. Thus, March 1948 was the beginning of Falam Baptist Association, Tedim Baptist Association and Hakha Baptist Association. The three associations run their own affairs until 1952.
In March 1952, the mission secretary Rev. E. E. Soward paid a survey trip to Chin Hills. Rev. S.T Hau Go was in charge of the Chin Baptists works while the Johnsons of the Hakha and the Nelson of Tedim were on holiday. Revd. E.E Sowards went to Tedim Baptist annual meeting at Laitui village on 14–17 February 1952. Then he went on tour to Falam and Hakha area with Rev. S.T Hau Go. After the survey, he proposed the followings for Baptist in the Chin Hills:
For an organization, the Constitution drafting committee was led by the Rev. S.T Hau Go together with the most senior and revered Pastors Rev. Sang Ling from Hakha, and the second eldest and most respected pastor Rev. Sang Fen. The committee held a meeting at Falam Baptist Church on late October and early November 1952. The meeting decided to form one Baptist organization and the organization was named Zomi Baptist Convention (ZBC) which comprised Falam Baptist Association, Tedim Baptist Association and Hakha Baptist Association. On March 5–7, 1953 Zomi Baptist Convention was officially and universally adopted by the general meeting in Saikah, Thantlang township. The general meeting was attended by 3,000 Chin Christians. The constitution was also approved in 1954 at the general meeting held in Khuasak, Tedim township.