The A∙chik Baptist Dalgipa Krima (ABDK, or in English, the Garo Baptist Convention) is one of the oldest Christian organizations in Northeast India. The ABDK is a religious organization registered under the Societies Act of 1860 (Registration No. MEG.ROS/2020/00285). It is the apex body of Garo Baptist churches across Meghalaya and the two districts of Kamrup and Goalpara in Assam. The headquarters is situated in Mission Compound, Tura City, West Garo Hills District, Meghalaya. The ABDK is also one of the six conventions under the Council of Baptist Churches in North-East India.
The story of the A∙chik Baptist Dalgipa Krima (ABDK) begins with the Christian message conveyed in the text “Apati Nashak” (The Destroyer of Evil). Omed Watre Momin and Ramke Watre Momin, the uncle-nephew duo, were serving in the Assam police. Both happened to stumble upon the small gospel leaflet “Apati Nashak” (The Destroyer of Evil) and were convicted of having a Christian faith because of its contents. It was through the message in this text that two individuals encountered the Living Word, leading to their conversion to Christianity. Thus, they became the first Garos to convert, and both were baptized on 8th February, 1863, at Shukeshwar Ghat, Guwahati.
After conversion, Omed and Ramkhe resigned from their jobs and returned to their own people to evangelize them. They planted the first Baptist Church at Rajasimla Village on 14th April 1867. Over the years, the church grew, and the mission work expanded. The American Foreign Mission Society (ABFMS) was working in Assam for years. Seeing the growing need of the Garo Baptist Church, ABFMS sent the first foreign missionaries to the Garos: Rev. M.C. Mason and Rev. E.G. Phillips, whose wives were siblings and thus related. The ABFMS formally recognized the growth of the Garo churches and established the ABDK in Goalpara on 3rd April, 1875, with its headquarters later moved to Tura in 1878.
The ABDK has now grown to 394,845 baptized members, comprising 21 Baptist associations, 360 autonomous churches, and over 2,900 local congregations, spread across the five Garo Hills districts and extending into parts of the Khasi Hills and the Goalpara and Kamrup Districts of Assam. There is a profound transformation in the story of our Garo Tribe: from a people who once found pride and glory in conflict and violence to a people who now find their honour in sharing the message of good news. At present, GBC has 424 mission workers, including 45 workers outside India, transforming communities and serving people in need. It continues to develop church programs and publications and to educate, develop, and strengthen Christian leaders to impact people’s lives.
