HISTORY OF UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH (NEI) LUNGMAWI LOCAL

United Pentecostal Church (NEI) Lungmawi Local is currently observing its 37th year under God's guidance. Praise be to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has led us to this day.

Calculating from its initial inception, United Pentecostal Church (NEI) Lungmawi Local is approximately 50 years old. However, due to the insurgency period (rambuai) and the regrouping of villages (sawi khawm), it could not function continuously as a church. Later, after re-establishing on Lungmawi hill, UPC Lungmawi Local was re-established in the year 1984, and has continued under God's guidance up to this day.

Around 1962, Evan. Chuauruma visited Lungmawi hill to conduct ministry, and brethren from the Baptist church also engaged his service. They enjoyed fellowship and singing services together at Elder Haubuanga's home. However, no one was ready to be received into the UPC yet. In April 1963, Pastor Hrantlinga visited, stayed briefly, and returned. Upon his subsequent visit, Elder Haubuanga, Pi Zapuii, and several others received baptism, and under the leadership of Elder Haubuanga, the UPC was established.

By the year 1965, the church membership grew to 50, and they began gathering resources to construct a church building. A level plot of land on the upper side of the road leading towards Bungveng (where the present VC Hall is located) was selected, and a church was built there.

Early Leaders of UPC Lungmawi Local:
Chairman : Elder Haubuanga
Secretary/Treasurer : Elder Thasiama

In 1965, the pillar of the church, Elder Haubuanga, passed away to his heavenly home, leaving the church somewhat adrift. That same year, Pastor Hrangchhina brought several believers and conducted ministry. Through his ministry, Bro. H. Enmawia and Bro. Lawmzuala received baptism, followed shortly by Bro. Lawmthanga, and they strove to rebuild and carry the church forward.

After 1966 arrived, political insurgency affected Mizoram, and Lungmawi village was burned down due to the conflict. Consequently, everyone had to flee and scatter into the jungle and various places for safety. As corporate worship and church operation could not continue, functioning as a church became impossible.

In 1967, village regrouping took place at Pangzawl, and the residents of Lungmawi were ordered to move to the Pangzawl regrouping center between Christmas and New Year. Since people from different villages were gathered together, separate village or local church services were not possible, so joint worship services were held. Around 1968-1969, Rev. Lalthima (Pangzawl District Pastor) placed Bro. H. Enmawia as a full minister. He remained at the Pangzawl regrouping center for 5 years (1968-1972).

After the insurgency situation improved in 1972 and people could return to their home villages, the residents of Lungmawi moved back; however, instead of reaching their original village site right away, they settled temporarily along Tuikawi during 1972. During the dry season of 1973, they moved back up to the present village location.

Between 1973 and 1984, the UPC church consisted of about 10 members who gathered for worship at Bro. H. Enmawia's house. These 10 members persevered in the UPC church and sustained it to the best of their abilities.

In 1974, a revival movement occurred in the BCM (Baptist) Church. Due to doctrines surrounding "hmangaihna ram" (realm of love), some Baptist members struggled to understand it, causing a rift within the Baptist Church. Consequently, some Baptist members advised bringing in a UPC Pastor. Since the UPC Pastors could not arrive immediately, Pastor J. Laltluanga of the Church of Jesus and his companions, aware of the village situation, stepped in. Subsequently, 30 members left the BCM Church and established the Church of Jesus at Pu Laldenga's home.

Then in 1974, Bro. Laithuama, Bro. Dozinga, Bro. Lawmthanga, Bro. H. Enmawia, and the few remaining members attempted to rebuild the UPC church building. They gathered posts and other construction materials, exerting their best efforts. However, due to other pressing circumstances, Bro. Laithuama and others migrated to Aizawl, preventing them from finishing the building. The Church of Jesus requested to use the UPC site for building their church, which was granted. They constructed their church on the UPC site and made use of the materials that had been collected.

As time passed, Pastor Rualchhina of Haulawng District visited the remaining UPC members and conducted ministry, but no new members joined UPC at that time. In 1982, Pastor Rodawla (also from Haulawng District) and Elder Rohlira brought several brethren and conducted various services to re-establish UPC in Lungmawi. However, since the Church of Jesus was already firmly established, the UPC church could not be formed yet. During that period, issues arose at the Church of Jesus Headquarters regarding membership in the Bible Society. As the headquarters' situation affected the local Church of Jesus in Lungmawi, internal disputes arose, leading to a division within the Church of Jesus.

In 1984, the Haulawng District was bifurcated, creating the new Chhipphir District. Lungmawi was included under Chhipphir District, with Pastor F. Aihrima appointed as the District Pastor. Additionally, the District Mission Department stationed Evan. R. Lalrosanga (who was employed by the Mission). He and Pastor F. Aihrima conducted ministry in Lungmawi village in April 1984, following a previous Sunday visit. After their return, Evan. R. Lalrosanga stayed on in Lungmawi. After three months of continuous ministry, 30 members from the Church of Jesus desired to join the UPC, and the District leaders were notified immediately. Thus, Rev. H. Lalruata, LAD President Sist. Tialnawni, and Bro. Sanglawta came from the District, and on July 8, 1984, the United Pentecostal Church (NEI), Lungmawi Local was re-established at the home of Bro. R. Lalrema.

On April 16, 1985, Hnahthial District was bifurcated to open the new Pangzawl District. Evan. R. Lalrosanga, a pioneer in establishing the Lungmawi Church, entered the pastorate and was appointed as the District Pastor for Pangzawl District. Lungmawi village was also transferred from Chhipphir District to Pangzawl District, where UPC Lungmawi Local remains to this day.

At its peak, UPC Lungmawi Local reached 114 members. However, due to members relocating and passing away, the membership has gradually decreased rather than increased. Currently, there are 74 members.

Department Formation Dates and Commemorations:
1. LAD was established on July 9, 1984.
2. PYD was established on July 15, 1984.
3. PMD was established in the year 2000.
4. Missions Department was established on July 12, 1984.
5. The Sunday School Department has been operational since the inception of the church and continues to this day.
6. The Building Committee was established in 2012 and served as the primary pioneers in church construction.
7. The Silver Jubilee was celebrated on July 8, 2009, with the Jubilee Monument unveiled by Rev. R. Lalrosanga.

2025 - 2026 Church Leaders:
Chairman : Elder Lalrema
Secretary : Bro. Lalramenga Chawngthu
Treasurer : Bro. Chanchinmawia