UPC HNAHTHIAL VENGLAI LOCAL

Hnahthial is a town located in the south-eastern region of Mizoram, traversed by National Highway 54. Venglai Local is situated at a convenient location towards the central eastern part of Hnahthial town. Hnahthial Venglai Local was formerly known as Hnahthial Tarpho Local. Following the Mizoram government's directive in 2008 renaming various localities of Hnahthial, Tarpho Veng was changed to Venglai. Consequently, on November 2, 2008, the Local Church Board Committee decided that the local church's name should also be updated, thus adopting the name Hnahthial Venglai Local.

INITIATIVES FOR CHURCH ESTABLISHMENT:

In September 1952, the late Rev. Saihnuna and the late Rev. Lalbiakthanga conducted evangelical ministry in Tarpho village. Their ministry bore fruit and was greatly blessed by God. On September 30, 1952, the UPC Church was established in Tarpho, which notably became the very first UPC church established in the Southern region. As time progressed, Mizoram was declared a disturbed area under insurgency in 1966. Various villages were grouped/resettled, and Tarpho residents were relocated to Hnahthial, arriving on February 7, 1967. Living under military administration, they could not conduct proper fellowship or organized programs. However, through local leaders and dedicated members, believers gradually gained freedom. Under the leadership of Pastor Ralianga, they resumed services and various ministries. Possessing great hope and desire to construct a church building and establish orderly administration, they began taking steps forward by requesting land for a church building from local civic authorities and leaders.

GROWTH AND ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH :

The Citizen Committee granted the land requested for the church building, which is currently the site of Hnahthial Venglai Baptist Church. Construction began on May 7, 1967, and four main posts were erected. However, due to opposition from certain individuals, another location had to be sought. In June 1967, construction resumed at the present church site. Built with unity and smooth cooperation, they soon completed the structure, with the military providing the roofing materials. On August 15, 1967, Rev. Tebawnga, serving as District Pastor, officially inaugurated the church. From then on, it was established as Hnahthial Tarpho Local, with members primarily consisting of UPC believers from Tarpho and Khawhri villages. Although originally named Hnahthial Tarpho Local, as it is now called Hnahthial Venglai Local, we shall refer to it as such going forward.

During the early days of church establishment, soul-winning was very intense, with public debates serving as the main instrument. On one occasion at a bereaved house in Hnahthial Leite Veng, Rev. Ralianga engaged in a debate with a Baptist Pastor lasting nearly a week. By God's grace, victory was claimed in these debates, resulting in a substantial increase in church membership. For ten consecutive days without pause, baptisms were conducted daily. Church elders were continuously occupied requesting Curfew Passes from military officials and the A.O. Office specifically for conducting baptisms. During this campaign, around 110 people were baptized in the name of Jesus. The newly planted church grew rapidly. As it was the only UPC church building in Hnahthial town at the time, it boasted one of the largest single local congregations in the Southern region back then.

PAST CHURCH LEADERS :

Due to a lack of proper historical records, early leadership details cannot be fully presented. Specific designations of key leaders at the time of inception are also not clearly documented; however, notable key figures remembered include Rev. Ralianga (one of Mizoram's pioneer Evangelists who stood firm before other denominations), the late Evan. Sainghinglova, the late Elder Khualinga, the late Elder Zatawna, and the late Elder Bawra.

CHURCH BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS :

The first church structure built in June 1967 was completed in a short span through the dedication and unity of the congregation, with roofing supplied by the military as mentioned earlier. On August 15, 1967, Rev. Tebawnga, then Lunglei District Pastor, inaugurated it.

PROMINENT EVENTS IN THE CHURCH:

While many significant events are worth noting in the church's journey, a few prominent highlights are presented below.

During the early post-establishment days, remarkable moves of the Holy Spirit were recorded. Following Christmas 1973 organized by the Church Committee, individual thanksgiving feasts were introduced to sustain spiritual revival. Elder Dengbawia hosted a feast with a pig. Someone receiving a vision stated, 'Evan. Sainghinglova needs to offer a bull feast,' which he promptly did. As the Holy Spirit's move intensified entering early 1974, individual and church thanksgiving feasts followed sequentially, totaling around 13 feasts during this revival revival period.

This revival deeply impacted all of Hnahthial town. Many attended to experience or spectate, temporarily setting aside farmwork. Some critics even labeled it 'famine-inducing.' Although it did not produce a vast number of new converts or baptisms directly, it firmly rooted believers spiritually. Several newly Holy Spirit-baptized members emerged as key pillars of church governance, many of whom continue to serve as core leaders today.