Lairam Jesus Christ Baptist Church(LIKBK)
Encyclopedia
The work of the Baptist Missionary Society
of England in the 20th Century was the beginning of Christianity
in the Lairam (Lai Land), India. BMS missionaries
such as Rev. J.H Lorrain & Rev. F.W Savidge were the pioneers who evangelized the Lai and developed them into ecclesiastical formation. Since then, the Lai Baptists continue to grow until they were established and organized into a body called ‘ASSEMBLY’ (Convention) in two stages: 1970 and 1982.
For quite sometime, since the Lai Baptist were formed into two groups they grew in parallel on the basis of their stages of formation. Formerly the first group was called ‘THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST’ and the second group called ‘LAIRAM BAPTIST CHURCH’. After a hard struggle for reunification the two paralleled groups came together and merged as one body in the year 1999. The united Lai Baptist Body was first called ‘THE LAIRAM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST’ without bearing any ‘Baptist’ name. However, since they are of Baptist origin, they are always baptistic in confession and practice. In the annual Assembly of 2003 at Lawngtlai Electric Local Church it was unanimously resolved to rename the Church as "LAIRAM JESUS CHRIST BAPTIST CHURCH" (Lairam Isua Krista Baptist Kohhran).
, both Churches have now established formal inter-delegation and relationship by reciprocally sending delegates to their respective Annual General Assemblies. Moreover, leaders of the Baptist Church of Mizoram are open hearted not only to recognize the Lairam Baptist but to recommend them for membership to Baptist bodies around the world.
trained men and women and one hundred twenty six men and women are employed as regular paid workers in the Church. The Church trains her workers especially those entering into Pastoral Ministry almost exclusively in the Seminaries/Colleges formally recognized by the Senate of Serampore College
(University).
, the North East India Christian Council with its headquarters at Shillong
, Meghalaya
.
. Social Mission Department is committed to serve God by rendering selfless services to the people irrespective of caste, colour, sex, class, faith, etc.
s to the people to challenge the increasing price hike in the marketing of medicines which have become unaffordable to the poor. And in view of the in adequate health services rendered by the Government, LCMC is filling the gap in terms of medical services. We opened as outdoor Clinic at cheaper fees on regular basis by employing a Medical Doctor and sometime arrange a Mobile Clinic to provide medication to those who do not afford to go to a far distance Hospital
home called ‘LAIRAM MOTHERLESS HOME (ORPHANAGE)’ was started in 2000 as there had been much pressure from the situation. LHM Orphanage id the only institution of its kind in the whole of Lai District. At present, the church has eight babies as inmates looked after by five workers paid by the Church.
, secularism
and careerism in the educational sector. We started a Comprehensive School in 2003 called ‘Mount Gerazim Academy’ to enable the more disadvantaged children to receive education
. At present, about education 80 (eighty) children are enrolled in the school.
Apart from the above undertakings, Special Mission is also concerned with the problems of Drugs and aids bi initiating a project called ‘Drugs & Aids Cell’ to respond to the growing challenges. Is also provides relief and rehabilitation
to those affected by natural calamities.
Member of Lairam Jesus Baptist Church also looks forward to the time when they have an established relationship and cooperation with the Baptist families in the whole world.
Lairam Jesus Baptist Church, a united Baptist Church for the Lai People in its formatory stage has been so structured to be centralized indigenous, self-supportive and self-missionary sending Church.
Baptist Missionary Society
rightBMS World Mission is a Christian missionary society founded by Baptists from England in 1792. It was originally called the Particular Baptist Society for the Propagation of the Gospel Amongst the Heathen, but for most of its life was known as the Baptist Missionary Society...
of England in the 20th Century was the beginning of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
in the Lairam (Lai Land), India. BMS missionaries
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
such as Rev. J.H Lorrain & Rev. F.W Savidge were the pioneers who evangelized the Lai and developed them into ecclesiastical formation. Since then, the Lai Baptists continue to grow until they were established and organized into a body called ‘ASSEMBLY’ (Convention) in two stages: 1970 and 1982.
For quite sometime, since the Lai Baptist were formed into two groups they grew in parallel on the basis of their stages of formation. Formerly the first group was called ‘THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST’ and the second group called ‘LAIRAM BAPTIST CHURCH’. After a hard struggle for reunification the two paralleled groups came together and merged as one body in the year 1999. The united Lai Baptist Body was first called ‘THE LAIRAM CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST’ without bearing any ‘Baptist’ name. However, since they are of Baptist origin, they are always baptistic in confession and practice. In the annual Assembly of 2003 at Lawngtlai Electric Local Church it was unanimously resolved to rename the Church as "LAIRAM JESUS CHRIST BAPTIST CHURCH" (Lairam Isua Krista Baptist Kohhran).
Inter-denominational connections
Right from the beginning Lairam Jesus Christ Baptist Church desired to established relationship with other Baptist Church in India and in abroad. In fact, it has applied for membership to the National, Continental and Global Baptist Organization for many years. In spite of some misunderstanding and problems with the former Baptist Church of MizoramBaptist Church of Mizoram
Baptist Church of Mizoram, abbreviated BCM is a Protestant denomination of India and the second biggest Church in Mizoram state in Northeast India....
, both Churches have now established formal inter-delegation and relationship by reciprocally sending delegates to their respective Annual General Assemblies. Moreover, leaders of the Baptist Church of Mizoram are open hearted not only to recognize the Lairam Baptist but to recommend them for membership to Baptist bodies around the world.
Structure
Lairam Isua Krista Baptist Kohhran (Lairam Jesus Christ Baptist Church) is an Assembly (or what may be called ‘Convention’), which is organized into 11 (Eleven) Pastorate circles. At present, thirty three (33) theologicallyTheology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
trained men and women and one hundred twenty six men and women are employed as regular paid workers in the Church. The Church trains her workers especially those entering into Pastoral Ministry almost exclusively in the Seminaries/Colleges formally recognized by the Senate of Serampore College
Serampore College
Serampore College is located in Serampore Town, in Hooghly District, West Bengal, India.The college consists of two entities:*The theological faculty*A separate college with faculties of arts, science, commerce...
(University).
Ecumenical Affiliation
Lairam Jesus Christ Baptist Church is a full-fledge member of Baptist World AllianceBaptist World Alliance
The Baptist World Alliance is a worldwide alliance of Baptist churches and organizations, formed in 1905 at Exeter Hall in London during the first Baptist World Congress.-History:...
, the North East India Christian Council with its headquarters at Shillong
Shillong
-Connectivity:Although well connected by road, Shillong has no rail connection and a proper air connection. Umroi Airport exists but has only limited flights.-Roadways:Shillong is well connected by roads with all major north eastern states...
, Meghalaya
Meghalaya
Meghalaya is a state in north-eastern India. The word "Meghalaya" literally means the Abode of Clouds in Sanskrit and other Indic languages. Meghalaya is a hilly strip in the eastern part of the country about 300 km long and 100 km wide, with a total area of about 8,700 sq mi . The...
.
Fellowship Department
Fellowship departments such as Women Baptist Fellowship, Youth Baptist Fellowship and Children Baptist Fellowship functions under the department of General Committee of the Church. These fellowship bodies operate on their own budgets with particular emphasis on certain projects. The fellowships also help and support the ministry of the Church as directed by the Church by regularly contributing certain amounts of money for mission and developmental project of the Church.Social Mission
Social Mission is one of the functional departments in the Social Ministry of the Church under separate registered body called "LAIRAM SOCIAL MISSION". It has got registration under the Foreign Contribution Registration Act, Government of IndiaGovernment of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
. Social Mission Department is committed to serve God by rendering selfless services to the people irrespective of caste, colour, sex, class, faith, etc.
Institutions created
The Church has started two institutions namely ‘Lairam Christian Medical Centre (LCMC)’ and ‘Lairam Motherless Home (Orphanage)’.Lairam Christian Medical Centre (LCMC)
LCMC was started in 2000 for providing low priced medicineMedicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
s to the people to challenge the increasing price hike in the marketing of medicines which have become unaffordable to the poor. And in view of the in adequate health services rendered by the Government, LCMC is filling the gap in terms of medical services. We opened as outdoor Clinic at cheaper fees on regular basis by employing a Medical Doctor and sometime arrange a Mobile Clinic to provide medication to those who do not afford to go to a far distance Hospital
Lairam Motherless Home (Orphanage)
An OrphanageOrphanage
An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
home called ‘LAIRAM MOTHERLESS HOME (ORPHANAGE)’ was started in 2000 as there had been much pressure from the situation. LHM Orphanage id the only institution of its kind in the whole of Lai District. At present, the church has eight babies as inmates looked after by five workers paid by the Church.
Mount Gerazim Academy
The Church felt the need to meet the growing challenge of commercialismCommercialism
Commercialism, in its original meaning, is the practices, methods, aims, and spirit of commerce or business. Today, however, it primarily refers to the tendency within open-market capitalism to turn everything into objects, images, and services sold for the purpose of generating profit...
, secularism
Secularism
Secularism is the principle of separation between government institutions and the persons mandated to represent the State from religious institutions and religious dignitaries...
and careerism in the educational sector. We started a Comprehensive School in 2003 called ‘Mount Gerazim Academy’ to enable the more disadvantaged children to receive education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
. At present, about education 80 (eighty) children are enrolled in the school.
Apart from the above undertakings, Special Mission is also concerned with the problems of Drugs and aids bi initiating a project called ‘Drugs & Aids Cell’ to respond to the growing challenges. Is also provides relief and rehabilitation
Land rehabilitation
Land rehabilitation is the process of returning the land in a given area to some degree of its former state, after some process has resulted in its damage...
to those affected by natural calamities.
Policy
Lairam Jesus Baptist Church seeks cooperation and friendship with Christian brothers and sisters around the world for mutual intercession to share with each other our responsibilities and burdens for the Kingdom of God.Member of Lairam Jesus Baptist Church also looks forward to the time when they have an established relationship and cooperation with the Baptist families in the whole world.
Lairam Jesus Baptist Church, a united Baptist Church for the Lai People in its formatory stage has been so structured to be centralized indigenous, self-supportive and self-missionary sending Church.