INITIATIVES TOWARDS SECTION FORMATION

Phase One : Prior to 1980, the entire town of Lunglei constituted a single pastoral section. With church growth and an increasing membership, the need arose to divide it into two pastoral sections. The Section Board resolution passed during May 2–9, 1969 approved the division into two sections as follows:

• Section One : Chanmari, Thangte, Lunglawn, Theiriat, Zobawk (to be pastored by Pastor J. Laltluanga).
• Section Two : Bazar, Rahsiveng, Zotlang, Hauruang (to be pastored by Pastor Chuauruma).

However, the 5th Section Conference held in Hnahthial on March 20–24, 1970 revoked this plan and resolved to remain as a single section, temporarily postponing this initial proposal.

Phase Two : Under Resolution No. 2 of the 15th Section Conference on February 9, 1980, the division of the town section was passed again. Following up on the conference decision, Resolution No. 1 of the 51st Section Board on February 11, 1980 organized the division as follows:

• North Section : Rahsiveng, Venglai, Bawngveng (now Venghlun), Hauruang, Vanhne, Zohnuai, Bazar, Zotlang, Pukpui. The Pastor's Quarters was to be located in Rahsiveng, pastored by Rev. Lalthima.
• South Section : Chanmari, Matuveng (now Ramthar), Lunglawn (now Ramthar AOC), Theiriat, Zobawk, Dawn, Thaizawl. It was resolved that the pastor for this section be chosen from among active pastors. Pastor Zalawma, then serving in Hnahthial—the youngest serving pastor with less than a full year of ministry—was selected.

SECTION ESTABLISHMENT AND PIONEER LEADERS

By resolution of the Section Board, the appointed Pastor was instructed to assume responsibility from March 1, 1980, for full official function starting March 1, 1980, and to relocate to the new section within the month of March.

During this period, transportation infrastructure was undeveloped, and vehicular transport was very scarce. The family of Pastor Zalawma, the first sectional pastor, prepared to move from their station in Hnahthial to the new section. Departing Hnahthial on March 4, 1980, they reached Lunglei on Thursday, March 6, 1980 due to limited transport options. On Saturday, March 8, 1980, the new sectional pastor set out for Thaizawl Church to open it on Sunday, marking the very first ministerial engagement in this new section. Rather than holding a separate formal inauguration ceremony as done today, March 1, 1980—the date assigned by the Section Board for taking official charge—was recognized as the founding date of the Headquarters Section.

Apart from the Section Chairman (the Section Pastor), the pioneer section executive leaders appointed during the last general town conference (1980) were as follows:

• Section Chairman : Pastor Zalawma, Section Pastor
• Secretary/Treasurer : Evan. C.H. Rongaia, Chanmari

Missions Department :

• Director : Evan. Sangkunga, Chanmari
• Secretary/Treasurer : Elder Sailova, Matu veng

Sunday School Department :

• Director : Evan. Darhmingthanga, Chanmari
• Secretary/Treasurer : Elder Neihhnuna, Chanmari

LAD (Ladies Auxiliary Department) :

• President : Sist. Lalrinliani (Puii), Chanmari
• Secretary/Treasurer : Sist. Vanlalngaii, Chanmari

PYD (Pentecostal Youth Department) :

• President : Evan. C. Lianzika, Zobawk
• Secretary/Treasurer : R. Tlansanga, Chanmari

ESTABLISHMENT OF SECTION CENTRE AND DEVELOPMENT OF PASTOR QUARTERS

During the 1st Lunglei South Sectional Board Committee held on March 15, 1980 at the UPC Office, Chanmari, Resolution No. 5 brought up the matter of the Sectional Pastor Quarters, resolving to defer its consideration for the time being.

Even before work could commence, the section received a request letter from North Lunglei Section asking to repay Rs. 400.50—half of the Rs. 801/- loan taken from Section funds for building the Sectional Pastor Quarters back when the town existed as a single section. At the 3rd Sectional Board meeting on January 31, 1981 at Theiriat UPC Church, Resolution No. 2 deliberated carefully on this and firmly resolved: "The Rahsiveng Sectional Pastor Quarters was built jointly while we were a unified section; therefore, we agree to repay Rs. 400.50 to the Section. However, as the existing Pastor Quarters was built together during our unified period, we request that the total building expenditure bill be presented and split equally between both sections." Following this sharp reply, North Lunglei Section pursued the matter no further.

Though this was the first obstacle encountered in preparing to build the Pastor Quarters and a major topic at the time, the equal wisdom of the early leaders turned it into a fascinating chapter of history for future generations. The 3rd Section Board continued discussions on the Sectional Pastor Quarters and established a Building Committee consisting of the following members:

1. C. Lalawma, Zobawk
2. C. Lalmuana, Matu veng
3. Thankhuma, Lunglawn
4. Rochungnunga, Theiriat
5. Zopianga, Chanmari

Although a plot was not yet secured, a fundraising target of Rs. 4,100/- was set and apportioned as follows:

• Chandmary : Rs. 1,200/-
• Theiriat : Rs. 800/-
• Zobawk : Rs. 650/-
• Lunglawn : Rs. 600/-
• Matu veng : Rs. 450/-
• Dawn : Rs. 200/-
• Thaizawl : Rs. 200/-

The 4th Section Board held on June 13, 1981 at Hqr. Church, Chandmary (Resolution No. 4) entrusted Chandmary Local with finalizing the quarters plot. Land owned by Evan. Zopianga (Chanmari) at Farm Veng was subsequently purchased for Rs. 2,500/-.

As a newly established section, enthusiasm was high. The 5th Section Board on February 6, 1982 (Resolution No. 2) allocated additional quarters fundraising targets across all local churches, to be collected before June 1982. Construction progressed rapidly, and in 1982, Pastor Zalawma and his family moved into the completed quarters. The current Headquarters Local serves as the Section Centre.

Over time, Farm Veng Local branched out from Headquarters Local on November 13, 1988. As Farm Veng Local Church was built right beside the Pastor Quarters, the quarters fell within Farm Veng Local boundaries. The 13th Section Conference on February 5–7, 1993 (Resolution No. 3) resolved to submit a request to the Section Board stating, "The Section Pastor Quarters should ideally be located at the Section Centre itself." The Section Board replied, "The proposed site application lacks specificity; let it be reconsidered once a specific site is resubmitted." The 27th Section Board on April 14, 1993 (Resolution No. 3) reaffirmed that it should be located within the Headquarters Compound (near the church building). The Section Board approved this, passing a resolution that the existing quarters land remain with the Section while the building structure remain with the Section. As disposition of the building structure did not proceed smoothly as expected, progress stalled briefly. The 17th Section Conference on February 1, 1997 (Resolution No. 5) eventually passed a resolution not to relocate the quarters after all.

Following this decision, ongoing renovation efforts continued with additional targets, upgrading previous structures by installing RCC pillars and replacing walls with bricks to construct a well-built residence. After occupying this quarters for some time and after new relocation initiatives ceased, Section leaders instructed that the Section Pastor be moved so that one of the quarters at Section Headquarters could be utilized by the Section Pastor.

Rev. C. Darkhuma was the serving Section Pastor at the time, and his family relocated on July 25, 2005 to the Section Headquarters Building (the current Section Pastor Quarters). The quarters at Farm Veng remained under Section administration, while the section was allocated a residence unit in the Section Headquarters Building located directly aligned with the Over-bridge, right below the courtyard currently used for the Section Conference Hall.

Once handed over as the Section Pastor Quarters, ongoing renovations were undertaken through section initiatives. Electrical wiring and ceilings were repaired, wall partitions replaced, and repainted. Additionally, chimneys were replaced, kitchen cabinets renovated, and plumbing upgraded. The space beneath the gas stove, previously used as a tank stand, was built into cabinetry, and floor tiles were laid, resulting in a highly comfortable residence.

NOTABLE HISTORICAL EVENTS OF THE SECTION

1) Section Nomenclature : When the Section Board initially divided the single town section into two, they were designated ‘North Section’ and ‘South Section’. As a church that widely adopted English terminology, the town sections were officially spoken of and written as ‘North Lunglei Section’ and ‘South Lunglei Section’. Our section was called ‘South Lunglei Section’, a name retained for only about two years. The 2nd Section Conference on March 27, 1982 proposed to the Section Board to change the name to Chanmari Section. The 59th Section Board on October 6–7, 1982 approved the change to ‘Chanmari Section’, a name retained for nearly ten years. The 11th Section Conference on March 6, 1991 resolved to change it to ‘Headquarters Section’. The 91st Section Board on July 4–5, 1991 approved ‘Headquarters Section’, a name retained for over 30 years and still in official use today.

2) Section Bifurcations : Headquarters Section has given birth to two major independent sections:

• Theiriat Section : The 25th Section Conference on April 27, 1990 created a new section from this territory, giving rise to ‘Theiriat Section’, officially inaugurated on June 3, 1990. Following the creation of Theiriat Section, Chanmari Section retained Chanmari, Farm Veng, Electric Veng, Luangmual, Ramthar I, Ramthar (AOC), Sethlun, Thangpui, and Thangte. In addition to these local churches, the 113th Section Board on December 16–17, 1996 granted a petition attaching Vaisam village to Chanmari Section effective January 1997.
• Luangmual Section : The 34th Section Conference on February 27, 1999 passed another section division. Following the conference resolution, the 121st Section Board bifurcated Headquarters Section to create Luangmual Section. Luangmual Section separated on April 1, 1999, holding its official inauguration on April 4, 1999 at Luangmual Church. Following this bifurcation, Headquarters Section retained Headquarters, Farm Veng, Electric, Ramthar, and Ramthar AOC local churches.

3) Silver Jubilee : In 2005, the Silver Jubilee was joyously celebrated with a festive feast. A Silver Jubilee Souvenir was published, providing a valuable historical record to reflect upon key historical events of the Section and local churches. It has served as a vital resource for compiling this present history, making the Silver Jubilee Souvenir an exceptionally valuable publication.

Past Executive Officers of the Section :

Section Chairman / Section Pastor :

1) Rev. Zalawma	01.03.1980 – 31.03.1986
2) Rev. Saidawla	01.04.1986 – 28.02.1991
3) Rev. P.C. Lalrosanga	01.03.1991 – 31.12.1994
4) Rev. Rochhunga	01.01.1995 – 29.02.1996
5) Rev. C. Darnghaka	01.03.1996 – 11.10.1998
6) Rev. P.R. Dawla	12.11.1998 – 31.12.1998
7) Rev. P.C. Doliana	01.01.1999 – 15.03.2004
8) Rev. C. Darkhuma	16.03.2004 – 14.03.2006
9) Rev. P.C. Nghakliana	15.03.2006 – 15.03.2008
10) Rev. C.S. Pachhunga	15.03.2008 – 13.03.2009
11) Rev. C. Vanlalena	14.03.2009 – 31.12.2009
12) Rev. C. Lalrintluanga	01.01.2010 – 15.07.2013
13) Rev. P.C. Nghakliana	15.07.2013 – 31.12.2013
14) Rev. C. Zohmingliana	01.01.2014 – 01.04.2018
15) Rev. C. Lalrintluanga	01.04.2018 – 15.05.2018
16) Rev. C. Hmingthanfala	15.05.2018 – 20.07.2023
17) Rev. LH. Lalchhandama	20.07.2023 – till date

SI. No. 6 Rev. PR. Dawla, SI. No. 11 Rev. C. Vanlalena, and SI. No. 15 Rev. C. Lalrintluanga served as Section Pastor on a part-time basis.

Section Secretary :

1) Evan. C.H. Rongaia	01.03.1980 – 31.12.2000
2) Evan. R. Ropianga	01.01.2001 – 31.12.2012
3) Evan. F. Lalhmangaiha	01.01.2013 – till date

Section Treasurer :

1) Elder H. Chhawntluanga	01.01.2011 – 31.12.2012
2) Evan. R. Ropianga	01.01.2013 – 31.12.2024
3) Evan. Saithangpuia	01.01.2025 – till date

Note: The office of Section Treasurer was established as an independent role from January 1, 2011; prior to that, the responsibilities were held concurrently by the Section Secretary.