VAISAM VILLAGE :

Vaisam village is located in the south-western part of Lunglei, approximately 27 kilometers from Lunglei town. Traveling from Lunglei, Luangmual, one passes through Chithar village. According to the 2019 Census Record, there are 86 households in total (including residential houses, schools, churches, and offices) with a population of 343 people. In the past, Vaisam was infamous as a village haunted and tormented by evil spirits. However, today it has witnessed the power of Christianity driving away demonic presence. It has transformed into a pleasant, harmonious village where spiritual believers fellowship in peace and freedom.

PIONEER WORKERS :

Several brave Pentecostal pioneers dedicated their efforts toward establishing a church in Vaisam. In 1975, three individuals came from Thangte to preach the Full Gospel. Despite their best efforts to share the gospel, the villagers showed little interest, and they had to return empty-handed. These early pioneers were Pastor Chuauruma, Elder Lallawma, and Pu Mawia. At that time, Pastor Chuauruma served as the Mualcheng Section Pastor, overseeing the Mualcheng district from Thangte.

Shortly after their departure, Evan. Thanhmunga, Evan. Saidawla, and Evan. Rochhunga entered from Mualcheng South. They were sent by the District, supported by Ngaihdama and Lalsawmi from Mualcheng village. The account of their journey to serve in Vaisam is worthy of detailed mention.

In 1975, the Mualcheng Section P.Y.D. decided to send workers to establish a church in Vaisam. The then President, Evan. Saidawla, explained the agenda so movingly that hardly any delegate could hold back tears. They immediately raised Rs. 700 to support the mission workers. They submitted this decision to the District Board to appoint workers and detailed how the funds were raised. Seeing their vision and deep burden, the District Board felt it best to commission the very individuals who carried this vision. Thus, Evan. Thanhmunga, Evan. Saidawla, and Evan. Rochhunga from Mualcheng were sent to minister in Vaisam.

In the second half of 1975, they entered Vaisam to do ministry, extending their outreach to Buknuam and Mautlang. In Mautlang, they even faced expulsion. In Vaisam, they conducted ministry for a week; although most villagers remained indifferent, a few believers emerged who made the idea of establishing a local church feasible. Although these Pentecostal pioneers strongly desired to plant a church in Vaisam that year, civil unrest and a "Major Operation" prevented them. They returned home, continuing to uphold the effort in prayer.

As 1976 arrived, Evan. Hrangmawia and Evan. Pachuaia poured significant energy and effort into ministry at Vaisam. On the day the Vaisam church was officially founded, both of them were present and counted among its founders.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH IN VAISAM :

As time went on, the sacrifice, dedication, and prayers of the Pentecostal pioneers did not go to waste. By November 1976, conditions became favorable to formally organize the church. The District Pastor (then District Superintendent), Rev. H. Vankunga, wrote letters to Evan. Lalzuithanga (Lunglei) and Evan. Saidawla (Mualcheng), informing them that the church could now be established and providing details on when to proceed.

They traveled down to Vaisam, joined by workers already on site—Evan. Hrangmawia, Evan. Pachuaia (Lungsen), and several followers. Amidst ridicule and mockery, the United Pentecostal Church was officially established in Vaisam on November 17, 1976. At its inception, there were 34 members, and Elder Mangnawla was appointed as Chairman.

Initial Office Bearers (1976 - Oct 1978):
Chairman : Elder Mangnawla
Secretary : K. Thantluanga

EARLY BAPTISMS :

Rev. H. Vankunga entrusted the baptismal service to Evan. Hrangmawia, who conducted the ministry. The first person to receive baptism in the name of Jesus was Pu Mangnawla, alongside two others. Later, Rozawna was baptized, followed by K. Thantluanga.

Church Leadership at Inception:
Chairman : Elder Mangnawla
Secretary : Bro. K. Thantluanga

Additionally, Pu Zasiama was appointed as a worker, and shortly after, Pu Rawngbawla was chosen as an Elder. During the 1977 fellowship gathering, several others received baptism. Prominent ministers who administered baptism included Evan. Lalzuithanga and Evan. Thanhmunga.

Following the establishment of the church, in 1977, Evan. Thanhmunga was appointed to oversee the Vaisam church as part of his district from Mualcheng. In 1978, Evan. Zalawma served as an Evangelist Teacher at Buknuam, and subsequently took charge of the Vaisam field as well.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHURCH BUILDING :

When the church was formally organized on November 17, 1976, there was no building, so services were held at Elder Mangnawla's residence. In December 1976, an application for church land was submitted to the Village Council (V.C.). The V.C. granted a plot beneath a Bung tree. However, during plot clearing, a major dispute arose. A mango tree on the designated plot needed to be cut down for construction. When cut, Pi Laltluangi and her family filed a case in the V.C. Court, claiming it was planted in memory of her deceased husband. (At that time, Vaisam shared a joint V.C. with Lawnglawn, chaired by VCP Pu Thangkima). After careful deliberation, the V.C. Court ruled in favor of the church, allowing building work to resume.

In April 1977, construction was completed, and the church was occupied that same month. Built as a bamboo-wall structure (Dap-rap), long bamboo poles were tied across to serve as pews. The church met at this location for four and a half years (1977–June 1981), continually maintaining and repairing the building.

On February 10, 1977, Pu Zaikunga, a member of the Baptist Church, donated a pig he was raising to the UPC as a sacrificial offering. He joined the UPC that day, and he and his wife were baptized in Jesus' name by Evan. Lalzuithanga. On October 25, 1978, the church reorganized and elected Pu Zaikunga as Chairman, a role he served for 4 years. During his chairmanship, he donated his own central and conveniently located land near the playground for a new church site. Construction on the new church began in 1980, and the dedication service was held on Saturday, June 6, 1981.

UNDER CHAWNGTE SECTION :

In 1979, the Chawngte Section was established, with Evan. Saidawla appointed as Pastor, while Evan. Zalawma was reassigned from his teacher role in Buknuam to serve as Pastor. Vaisam became an official Local church within the Chawngte District. The first Chawngte Sectional Board took place on November 3, 1979; minutes kept by the Chawngte District Secretary show that Elder Mangnawla attended representing Vaisam Church.

The first Chawngte Section Conference was held on April 29, 1980, at Thangte village, where Vaisam Church contributed Rs. 5 towards conference offerings. Notably, Vaisam Church maintained an official Secretary minute book from 1978 onward. They placed high value on District Board meetings, conferences, and offerings, proving that despite their small numbers, they functioned as a mature and organized church body.

LEADERSHIP HISTORY OF VAISAM CHURCH :

Term	Chairman	Secretary	Treasurer
1976 - 1978 (Oct)	Elder Mangnawla	K. Thantluanga	-
1978 (Nov) - 1981 (May)	Elder Zaikunga	Rbt. C. Rosanga	-
1981 (June) - 1985 (June)	Elder K. Thantluanga	Rbt. C. Rosanga	-
1985 (July) - 1990	Elder Rawngbawla	Rbt. C. Rosanga	-
1991 - 1992 (July)	Elder Rawngbawla	Rbt. V. Zathangvunga	-
1992 (August) - 1992 (Dec)	Elder K. Thantluanga	Rbt. V. Zathangvunga	-
1993 (Jan) - 1994 (Dec)	Elder Rawngbawla	Rbt. V. Zathangvunga	-
1995 (Jan) - 2000 (August)	Elder K. Thantluanga	Rbt. Lalnuntluanga	-
2000 (Sept) - 2001 (March)	Elder K. Thantluanga	Rbt. J. Engmawia	-
2001 (April) - 2002 (Dec)	Elder K. Thantluanga	Elder C. Rosanga	-
2003 (Jan) - 2006 (June)	Elder K. Thantluanga	Elder K. Thantluanga	Elder K. Thantluanga
2007 (Dec) - 2008 (Dec)	Elder C. Rosanga	Elder C. Rosanga	Elder K. Thantluanga
2009 (Jan) - 2010 (May)	Elder K. Thantluanga	Rbt. B. Vanlalsanga	Elder K. Thantluanga
2010 (Dec) - 2011 (June)	Rbt. B. Vanlalsanga	Bro. V. Vandailova	Bro. V. Vandailova
2011 (July) - 2011 (Dec)	Evan. Lalhmingsanga	Elder B. Vanlalsanga	Elder B. Vanlalsanga
2012 (Jan) - 2013 (Feb)	Evan. Lalhmingsanga	Bro. Pc. Lalfakawma	Evan. Lalhmingsanga
2013 (Mar) - 2015 (Feb)	Evan. Lalmuanpuia	Bro. Pc. Lalfakawma	-
2015 (Mar) - 2016 (June)	Elder Pc. Lalthanliana	Evan. C. Lalramchhana	-
2016 (July) - 2016 (Dec)	Elder Pc. Lalthanliana	Bro. Saizamliana Sailo	-
2017 (Jan) - 2018	Elder Pc. Lalthanliana	Bro. Pc. Lalfakawma	Rbt. K. Lalchhinga
2019 (Jan) - 2020 (Dec)	Elder K. Lalchhinga	Rbt. Pc. Rohmingliana	Elder Pc. Lalthanliana
2021 (Jan) - 2022	Elder K. Lalchhinga	Evan. R. Lalthlamuana	Elder Pc. Lalthanliana
2023 (Jan) - 2024	Elder K. Lalchhinga	Evan. R. Lalthlamuana	Elder Pc. Lalthanliana
2025 - 2026	Elder K. Lalchhinga	Evan. T. Biaklala	Rbt. HT. Lallenmawia

VAISAM FIELD EVANGELISTS AND TENURE :

1. Evan. T. Zahmingliana (Luangmual) — 2009 – 2010
2. Evan. L. Hmingsanga (Rangte) — 2011 – 2013
3. Evan. Muanpuia Colney (Haulawng) — 2013 – 2015
4. Evan. C. Lalramchhana (Vanhne) — 2015 – 2016
5. Bro. Saizamliana Sailo (Lungdai) — 2016 – 2017
6. Evan. R. Lalengzaua (Zotlang) — 2017 – 2019
7. Evan. H. Lalhriatmawia (Bualpui H) — 2019 – 2020
8. Evan. R. Lalthlamuana (Sekhum) — 2021 – 13 January 2026
9. Evan. T. Biaklala (Lunglawn Zaia Veng) — 13 January 2026 - present

VAISAM FIELD EVANGELIST QUARTERS :

In 2009, the Luangmual Section District Church sent Evan. T. Zahmingliana to serve as Evangelist in Vaisam. When the central church could no longer support him, after one year (2010), the District Mission Department declared Vaisam a Home Mission Field and retained his ministry, with salaries covered by the District Church. His family moved to Vaisam, where district members held a work camp to construct quarters on land provided by Pu Pc. Thanliana. The frame was constructed with Chhawntual wood, walls made of woven bamboo, and roofing with thatch grass. They resided in this quarters throughout his ministry from 2009 until January 2011.

In early 2011, Evan. L. Hmingsanga (Rangte) was appointed as worker for Vaisam Field. The District Mission Department purchased Pu Vanhnuaialha’s house and property for Rs 10,000 to serve as quarters. In 2013, Evan. Muanpuia Colney served in Vaisam for over two years before transfer. During his tenure, a new Evangelist Quarters was erected through great effort, which remains in active use today.

CURRENT STATUS OF VAISAM CHURCH :

Members: There are 13 UPC households in Vaisam village. Excluding full-time workers, the total church membership stands at 47. The local church has 6 lay leaders and 2 ordained Elders. Various church departments are actively operating and progressing.

Church Building: The United Pentecostal Church boasts the most convenient and well-located site in Vaisam village, offering a superior campus compared to other church buildings in the area. As noted, Elder Zaikunga originally donated this property. Construction began in 1980 and the building was dedicated on June 6, 1981. Four church structures have been built on this plot over time, with the current structure being the fourth. Field worker Evan. R. Lalengzaua labored tirelessly during the construction phase. The foundation stone was laid on April 18, 2017, by District Mission Director Rev. VL Hmuaka. Through enthusiastic unity, it was completed in 2018 and formally inaugurated in January 2019 by District Pastor Rev. B. Kamliana, celebrated with a community feast. Modern ceiling work and interior decorations were added later.

Evangelist Quarters: The quarters built in 2014 remains in excellent condition. It has been freshly painted inside and out. The District Mission Department enclosed the front compound with chain-link wire fencing, eliminating boundary disputes and protecting walls from stray footballs from the neighboring field. Quarters inventory and furnishings have steadily upgraded through generous personal and departmental donations, all recorded in the official Quarters Property Record Book.