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WE HAVE A MESSAGE

to make you known

Rev. Janang R. Sangma
General Secretary

The Church of Christ among the Garo people is one and a half century old. Way back in 1863, on 8th February, the first two Garo converts Omed Watre Momin and his nephew Ramke Watre Momin were baptized in Gauhati by Dr. Miles Bronson, an American Baptist Missionary of the Nowgong Baptist Station. Immediately after their baptism, both of them wanted missionaries to be sent to their people so that they too might get to hear the good news. When their request went unheeded, they decided that they themselves must go. The duo returned to their homeland in March 1864 and began evangelizing their own countrymen. After three years of painstaking efforts, Omed was able to win thirty-seven of his tribesmen for Christ. Dr. Miles Bronson came to Rajasimla village and baptized the new believers and thus the first Garo Church was established at Rajasimla village in April 14, 1867, with Omed as the pastor. The following year, another 23 converts were won by Ramke and baptized by Bronson in Damra in June 28, 1868 and thus another indigenous church was established there which was later shifted to Nishangram. Thus, the first two converts became the harbinger of the gospel to the Garos.

The Garos were in the forefront of pioneering mission work in places like Arunachal, Bhutan, Impur area of Nagaland and Kangpokpi area of Manipur. One of the stalwarts who spearheaded the mission work among the Garo Christians was Rev. Tangkan K. Sangma who even participated in the World Mission Conference held at Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1910. However, after WWII, after India gained independence, the movements of foreign missionaries were greatly restricted. This had adverse effect on the morale and tempo of mission movement among the Garo churches and the Garos were left to fend for themselves. But by the turn of the last millennium, the Garo Baptist churches started to experience spiritual awakening and resurgence in mission work like never before.

As churches grew organizational structure took shape right from the grassroots to the top paving the way for strong indigenous leadership. Today, the Garo Baptist Churches have matured and are on the road to scaling new heights and attempting greater things for glory of God. Organizationally, the Garo Baptist Convention has grown to one of the largest Baptist conventions under APBF and BWA. Had it not been for the gospel of Christ, the entire Garo tribe was facing the prospect of being annihilated as a tribe from the face of the earth. For the British had contemplated on wiping out the entire tribe because of the head hunting habits of their forefathers and because Garos were regarded as heathen savages who have no place in civilized world. We praise God Almighty for delivering us from that imminent doom and releasing us from sinful habits, superstitious beliefs, diseases and ignorance through Jesus Christ, our Lord. To God be the glory for His wonderful works of grace among the Garo people.

GBC AT A GLANCE

Vision

Striving to make known the true God and making life abundant. To have this is to rededicate ourselves to God, discern His will, and must not lose sight of the heavenly vision which God has given us.

Mission

The Garo Baptist Convention seeks to evangelize its own area and beyond, strengthening its Churches and Associations, thereby uplifting the social and spiritual conditions of the people, working in cooperation with like-minded organizations.

Challenges

We need to review and redefine our ministries in this digital age, involve more of our intellectuals, widen our networking and partnership to agin maximum exposure, knowledge and better share the resources.

ITS FACTS & FIGURES

stay tune

Establishment

1874

No. of Associations (Krimas)

17 + 1 deemed Association

No. of mother Churches

296

Total No. of Churches/Congregations

2,622

No. of Baptist Families

130,207

Baptized Members

353,299

Church run Secondary Schools

46

Higher Secondary Schools

2

Degree College

1

Theological College

1

No. of full-time Pastors

681 (548 men + 133 lady pastors)

Affiliations

Member of BWA, APBF, CBCNEI, NEICC & NCCI

Permanent Campsite

Till Y2020, the Annual Convention of GBC used to be hosted serially by the Associations (Krimas). Due to many factors, this practice has been discontinued and now our annual convention will be held in a designated permanent campsite situated about 34 km north of Tura city. The campsite will have the delegates’ hostel which can accommodate up to 1500 people at a time, a guest house for women four food courts, an open-air worship ground, a meeting hall with 1200 seating capacity, parking lots, public amenities, and recreational facilities.

As of now, the construction of the structural components of the delegates’ hostel has reached the 3rd floor. Earthwork for the worship ground has also been completed.

Our New Blogs

ready below

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Care & Dedication

An Intercessor Mother for a Child

The 47th GBC Mothers’ Day (May 8, 2022) Ka·sara Kristoo Ka·rimska Ma·giparang“Ma·gipa,” ian a·gilsako knatobegipa katta ong·an baksa Isolni mande jatna pattigimin...Read More
April 21, 2022
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Mind Awareness,

Revisiting the Past, Envisioning the Future

Way back in 4th May, 2016, the Program Committee of the Sesquicentenary Celebration consisting of the President and General Secretary of GBC...Read More
April 19, 2022
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History

Message from USA

Dear Friends, WE will be remembering you as you celebrate the sesquicentenary of the Garo church. We are sorry that we cannot...Read More
April 7, 2022