Tripura Region of Seventh-day Adventist

Tripura is a small state in North-East India covering 10492 sq. km in area. Its shares its borders with Bangladesh, Mizoram and Assam. Tripura ranks second only to Assam as the most populous state in North East India. According to the provisional results of 2011 census of India, Tripura has a population of 3671032. Hinduism is the major religion in the state, followed by 83.4 percent of the population. Muslims make up 8.6 percent of the population, Christian’s 4.35 percent and Buddhists 3.41 percent.

The diverse ethno-linguistic groups of Tripura have given rise to a composite culture. The dominant ethnic groups are Bengali, Tripuri (Debbarma, Jamatia, Tripura, Murasing, Noatia), Halam (Koloi, Rupini, Molsom, Halam, Kaipeng, Rangkhal, Chorai, Ranglong, Sakechep, Saimar, Bongcher, Karbwng) Reang, Uchoi, Chakma, Garo, Kuki, Darlong, Mizo, Dhamai, Roaza, Mog, Manipuri, Bhil, Telenga, Jhora and other tribal groups such as Munda, Orang, and Santal. Bengali people represent the largest ethno-linguist community of the state.

In the 1950s Lianzama a Literature evangelist sold a Mizo version of the books ‘Steps to Christ’ and ‘Christian believes.’ Through these books people of Longai valley heard Adventist teaching for the first time.

The first baptism program was in 1957 where two persons were baptized. The baptism was through and the result of the ‘Voice of Prophecy,’ Bible correspondence course. The persons who took baptism were Lalsuliana of Bualpui and Thanghnuna of Damcherra. Later that year C. Saikhuma and family were sent to Bualpui, near Damcherra, Tripura to look after them and carry on the ministry. C. Saikhuma and family was the first missionary to Tripura. However, Mr. Lalsuliana and Mr. Thanghnuna migrated to Kanhmun, Mizoram.

Again, Literature evangelist L. Biakmawia came to Agartala on December 26, 1985. He was accompanied and dropped by Union Publishing Director Calvin Joshua and R. K Sangliana. He stayed one year in Agartala visiting people and selling books.

First Church in Tripura: Mr. Thanliana a Daniel Band’s evangelist who was in Kanhmun, Mizoram use to visit nearby villages in Tripura. Through his ministry in the village of Bishnuchuran Para seven souls were baptized by VL Sanglura, Koloship circle leader who was also taking care of Tripura field on March 20, 1987.

In the 1990s, plans and efforts were made by Mizo conference to enter Tripura state with the gospel in partnership with Daniels Band, the GC project, Adventist frontier Service (AFS) volunteers, later Global Mission volunteers and strong lay support. The work started in Longai Valley of North Tripura district bordering to Mizoram among the Mizo and Bru Community villages. Within few years, 10 Congregations were formed and churches built in Bishnuchuran Para, Kalagang, Kheda Cherra, Uria, Santipur, Helenpur, Utomjoy, Jolidon, Behliangchhip, Hmawngchuan. Volunteers and evangelists instrumental in starting the work in North Tripura were Muankima, Zirkhumi, B. Zohmingliana, Lalchhanhima, Roremliana, Vanrammawia, Ramfangzaui, Khianghnuna, Rinkima, T. Remthanga, Vanlaldinpuii, Lalrinsiami, Lalhmungsang, Zohmingthanga and Vanlalremi.

In 1996 and onward Ministry extended toward West, Khowai, Gomati, Dhalai, Sepahijala districts in Tripura and churches were established. Evangelist Zohmingliana led the team of Global Mission Volunteers under the guidance of R. Biakthansanga, Global Mission Director, and later Circle Leader. Mizoram Daniel’s Band also gave financial assistant for the ministry to these areas. In the meantime, a dedicated teacher, Meena Hrangkhawl started a new school called Bloom Adventist School. This eventually grew into a secondary school. Today, Adventists have entered in five districts of Tripura and two districts i.e., South and Unokoti is still unreached.

In the year1999, the Mizo Conference Executive Committee voted to organize Tripura into a circle under Mizo Conference. The first circle leaders were R. Biakthansanga, Vanlalnghaka Colney and P.L Thlenga.
Again, in 2009 the Mizo Conference Executive Committee voted to divide Tripura state into two circles; namely, Tripura North Circle with V. Lalsiamthara as its circle leader and Tripura West Circle with Zohmingliana.

Then in the year 2018, NEIU executive committee voted to recommend to the division that Tripura be organize as a Region. Therefore, Tripura Region was officially inaugurated on April 1, 2019 with Zohmingliana as the first Director and Laljuala Reang as the first secretary/Treasurer. The Region’s headquarters would be in Agartala.

The North East India Union bought a small piece of land on September 10, 2013, and the division, along with the Mizo Conference, financed the building. The foundation was laid on January 22, 2015 by R. Biakthansanga, President of Mizo Conference. Finally, the office was opened on February 22, 2021 by the officers of the NEIU, Barnabas Zimik, Prosperity Pasi and Daniala Sailo.

The first regularized worker among Tripura local is Bidhumani Kalai in 2004. The first pastor ordained among the local is Rathindra Kalai in February, 2014. Now, Tripura Region has five ordained pastors from the local.

Statistic

Membership: 2965
Church: Organize Churches: 6, Companies: 24

Present Leadership

Director

Laltanpuia Khupchawng

Secretary/Treasurer

Laljuala Reang

Directory

TRIPURA REGION OF SDA
Khejurbagan
P.O: Khathal Bagan
P.S: NCC, Agartala, Airport Road
West Tripura: 799006
Tel: 0381-2418665

Departments

Boarding Schools

Circle Leaders