“And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature...'” Mark 16:15. God's divine plan to fulfill the Great Commission has continued to spread into Southern Mizoram as well. Who can truly comprehend God's divine design except through the Holy Spirit?

About Tarpho Village:

Tarpho village is situated in Hnahthial District in Southern Mizoram, located 26 km east of Hnahthial town. Here, we present the history and the significant role that Tarpho village has held in the southern region of UPC NEI.

Establishment of the Church:

Around 1952, a great spiritual revival swept through Tarpho village. Among those who experienced this revival was Pi Tawimeni, who repeatedly received spiritual revelations that ministers of God would arrive in Tarpho from the north. Without knowing who they were, she simply set out to meet them at the rice fields of North Vanlaiphai. She stayed at Pu Sawichhunga's house for three days. On her third day, Pastor Lalbiakthanga and Evan. Saihnuna from Tlangpui village arrived from the north at the North Vanlaiphai rice field area and happened to lodge at Pu Sawichhunga's residence as well.

When Pastor Lalbiakthanga and Evan. Saihnuna expressed their intention to preach in Tarpho, Pi Tawimeni was overjoyed. The next day, they all journeyed together to Tarpho and lodged at Pi Tawimeni's house. After conducting ministry as best as they could, the ministers temporarily returned home.

The Church is Formed:

In September 1952, they returned to Tarpho to complete their mission. By this time, Evan. Saihnuna, who accompanied the first visit, had been ordained as Pastor Saihnuna. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they ministered, and their ministry deeply impacted the entire community. On the evening of September 25, 1952, after dinner, the Church was formally organized, becoming the first Pentecostal Church established in Southern Mizoram. The establishment of the Church was officially announced the following day on September 26, 1952.

The first families who enrolled as members on the night of establishment were:

1. The family of Pu Lalkama
2. The family of Pu Zaduma
3. The family of Pu Huatlinga
4. The family of Pu Aichhinga
5. The family of Pu Thantlira (Pu Thantlira was a serving Baptist Local Pastor at the time; he was later inducted as a UPC Pastor in 1954).

The first leaders of the Church were:

Chairman	Pu Lalkama
Secretary	Pu Tialthanga
Treasurer	Pu Aichhinga

The early women leaders/ministers were:

1. Pi Ngurkungi
2. Pi Laizami
3. Nl. F. Aihnuni

Membership Growth:

Though the church was small at its inception and faced considerable disdain from outsiders, the Lord was with them, and they journeyed forward with joy. Eventually, Pu Lukawnga and Pu Ralianga joined the congregation. Notably, at the time of joining, Pu Ralianga had just been newly elected as a BCM Church Elder. A memorable phenomenon during this period of growth was that several individuals brought small measures of sesame seeds (Chhawhchhi No. 2) to the Church Chairman as an offering while requesting to enroll their names.

Impact of the Insurgency (Rambuai):

Unfortuantely, in 1966, Mizoram was declared an insurgency area (Rambuai). The government grouped and relocated the residents of Tarpho to Hnahthial. On February 7, 1967, they moved down to Hnahthial, leaving Tarpho village completely deserted. In Hnahthial, they lived in the designated section for Tarpho residents. Led by Pu Ralianga, they kept the church alive and active, naming it after Tarpho village. This congregation eventually evolved into what is now Hnahthial Venglai, which has become a Section Headquarters.

Resettlement of Tarpho Village:

In 1973, when the government permitted residents to return to their original villages, a small group returned to Tarpho. Since few returned initially, members held combined worship services with the BCM without denominational distinction. As 1974 arrived, the UPC was newly reorganized, holding worship services at the home of the late Pu Ropianga. The initial leaders of the church after returning to the village were:

1. Pu Ropianga
2. Pu Hrangzika
3. Pu Lalmawia
4. Pu MC. Lengthanga

Development of the Church Buildings:

Since the church's reorganization, members gathered for separate services, though they did not yet have a dedicated church building. They initially gathered at Pu Lalkama's house and rotated among other homes as needed.

First Church Building:

In 1953, the first church building was constructed as a bamboo structure (Maurap in). Upon completion, Pastor Lalbiakthanga conducted the inauguration and dedication service, bringing great joy to the congregation.

As time passed, the simple bamboo structure deteriorated and became too small. The congregation prepared to build a sturdier structure using sawn timber, pouring in tremendous effort. However, while construction preparations were underway, the insurgency erupted, preventing the construction of the second church building and scattering the village.

During the preparations to rebuild, a minister named Pu Bawihdailova from Sailulak village received a spiritual vision regarding the dimensions of the church building, declaring: 'It shall be 6 fathoms in length and 3 fathoms in width.' The church members affectionately joked about whose fathom (hlam) length should be used as a standard, bringing much joy to the community.

Second Church Building:

Following the insurgency, after returning to Tarpho from Hnahthial, the church was reorganized in 1974. Worship services were held at the house of the late Pu Ropianga. In 1975, the church building was re-established. Upon completing the building with joy and unity, Evan. Lalthanzauva of Cherhlun inaugurated and dedicated the church to God in September 1975.

Third Church Building:

With time, the original land was sold, and the current church site was acquired. Together with Pi Ngurkungi and others, the hillock was leveled, and an Assam-type church building was erected. The District provided roofing materials, and by 1992, a fine church building was successfully completed.

Fourth Church Building:

As the congregation grew and the previous building aged, a desire emerged to construct an RCC building in line with modern developments. Beginning in 2019, construction commenced around the old structure. Despite having a small membership, their unity, dedication, and voluntary work were inspiring. Even amid the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic, the beam and slab work was completed by 2021. By God's grace, they will possess a beautiful and sturdy church building.

Notable Figures from Tarpho Local:

Ordained Pastors produced:

1. Pu Thantlira
2. Pu Ralianga
3. Rev. VL. Hmuaka (son of the first Secretary)

License Holders:

1. Evan. Ropianga (Late)
2. Lalnunmawii (Bible Woman)

Key Historical Milestones for Tarpho Local:

1. The Ladies' Ministry (Nuho Pawl) was established alongside the church in 1952.
2. On March 24, 1956, Tarpho hosted the Circle Conference. At that time, the Southern and Northern regions were combined. The conference was attended by 53 delegates representing various churches, while 13 villages were absent. During the business session, it was resolved that the Southern region should form an independent Circle, and Pastor Lalthima was appointed as the minister for the Southern Circle.
3. In 1958, the Handful of Rice (Buhfaitham) offering was introduced, collected once a month as the main local revenue source.
4. In 1961, the Pentecostal Youth Department (PYD) was organized under the leadership of Pu Tialthanga (father of Rev. VL. Hmuaka) under a banyan tree (currently used as a prayer hill). It was not initially affiliated with the District or General bodies.
5. In 1961, the Children's Department (PCD) was also established.
6. In September 2002, Tarpho Local grandly celebrated its Golden Jubilee. Rev. Ralianga unveiled the Jubilee Memorial Stone upon invitation.

Notable Personalities of Tarpho UPC:

Rev. Ralianga:

Pastor Ralianga had limited formal education, yet through the Lord, he became a truly prominent figure. He enthusiastically preached God's covenant not only from the pulpit but in bereavement homes and wherever opportunities arose, winning many souls.

On one occasion, Pastor Ralianga and BCM Pastor F. Lalrammawia, BD, engaged in a formal debate on the Deity of Jesus. During the intense debate in the heat, Nl. Liantling wiped Pastor Ralianga's sweat on his left side while Nl. Nunmawii wiped his sweat on his right side. Ultimately, Pastor Ralianga emerged victorious in the debate. Through this debate, the Lord added several key valuable members to the Church, including Pu Chalmawia (father of Evan. F. Rawngbawla, Leite), Pu Hrangchama, Pu Ruma, and many others.

Lalnunmawii:

Sister C. Lalnunmawii has steadfastly held onto the Church with love through its most difficult times since its inception. Serving as a Bible Woman, she cared for the congregation like a mother in every possible way. She continues to be a source of strength and comfort to the Church today. In 2021, she was honored with the 'ZONUBIRU' Award (a prestigious Mizo women's honor), making the entire community and church immensely proud.

Current Status of the Church:

Although the church membership has grown gradually, factors such as migrations, transfers to other denominations, and passings have kept numbers modest. Nevertheless, the church continues to grow and currently stands at approximately 80 members.

Current Leadership:

The status of Church Leaders for the term (2025) is as follows:

Chairman	Elder Vanlalthlenga
Vice Chairman	Elder Kamchunga
Secretary	Min. P. Lalthanliana
Asst. Secretary	Bro. Lalmuanzuala
Treasurer	Min. Lalchungnunga
Statistician	Bro. Lallianzuala