Lairam Jesus Christ Baptist Church(LIKBK)

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Early Histoty

The work of the Baptist Missionary Society of England in the 20th Century was the beginning of Christianity in the Lairam (Lai Land). BMS Missionary 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 continues 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 Mizoram, 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.

tructure

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) theologically 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).

Ecumenical Affiliation:- Lairam Jesus Christ Baptist Church is a full-fledge member of Baptist World Alliance, the North East India Christian Council with its headquarters at Shillong, Meghalaya.

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 India. Social Mission Department is committed to serve God by rendering selfless services to the people irrespective of caste, colour, sex, class, faith, etc.

We have started two institutions namely ‘Lairam Christian Medical Centre (LCMC)’ and ‘Lairam Motherless Home (Orphanage)’.

1) Lairam Christian Medical Centre (LCMC):- LCMC was started in 2000 for providing low priced medicines 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

2) Lairam Motherless Home (Orphanage):- An Orphanage 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, we have 8 (Eight) babies as inmates looked after by 5 (Five) workers paid by the Church.

3. Mount Gerazim Academy:-The Church felt the need to meet the growing challenge of commercialism, 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.

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, an 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.

To see a few photos of the upcoming Lairam Christian Hopital, follow this link ---> http://flickr.com/photos/lairam