# Sadar North Baptist Association

Sadar North Baptist Association (SNBA) is a Baptist Christian denomination in Tripura. It is located within the West Tripura district of Tripura in India.

## History

SNBA started as a small circle within the Central Baptist Association of Tripura Baptist Christian Union (TBCU). It later on evolved and developed into a full-fledged association of TBCU with many churches affiliated to it. Today there are around more than 150 churches and fellowships within Sadar North Baptist Association. Some the pioneers of the Baptist's in Sadar North is Life Deacon Biralal Debbarma (one of the first three Christians in the Kokborok speaking community and the ex-President of SNBA) and the Late Rev. Rabindra Debbarma.

### Birth

Before its birth as a full association the SNBA was one of the four Pastoral Circles under the Central Baptist Association. As churches grew rapidly with more new believers everywhere in the state, the Annual Assembly Session of Tripura Baptist Christian Union which was held in Subhash Nagar (North Tripura) on 23–26 February 1989 passed resolution that the Circles (e.g., South, Udaipur, Saisawm Sazai, and Sadar North) be given the full status of Associations. And it was how the Sadar North Baptist Association was established as an Association in the month of February 1989.
The leaders of the newly born Association with the kind presence of Rev. Hnehliana, the then General Secretary of TBCU, met prayerfully on 25 March 1989 at Durga Chowdhury Baptist Church and formed the first Executive Committee of the Association on ad hoc basis. The first members selected for the executive committee were:
* President: Mr. Birolal Debbarma
* Secretary: Rev. Rabindra Debbarma
* Treasurer: Mr. Chandra Kanta Debbarma.

## Faith and doctrine

SNBA is based on the principles of Baptist theology and doctrines and is strongly threaded and bounded by firm faith on Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit and the one and only omnipotent Father God.

## Organization

SNBA has the highest strength of Kokborok speaking Baptist community in Tripura.

### Office

The association is led by the Executive Secretary, Rev. Ranjit Debbarma, and has its head-office in Baptist Mission Compound, Arundhutinagar, Agartala.
The association is registered under the Tripura Baptist Christian Union (TBCU). The association is located within the West Tripura district of Tripura state in India.

### Baptist Pastoral Circles

SNBA has eight Pastoral Circles, namely:
* Mandwi Baptist Pastoral Circle.
* Dakdu Baptist Pastoral Circle.
* Champaknagar Baptist Pastoral Circle.
* Abhicharan Baptist Pastoral Circle.
* Jamilwng Baptist Pastoral Circle.
* Khumulwng Baptist Pastoral Circle.
* Hezamara Baptist Pastoral Circle.
* Borkathal Baptist Pastoral Circle.

### Sadar North Baptist Women's Society (SNBWS)

* President: Mrs. Sabita Debbarma (Joygobind Baptist Church)
* Secretary: Mrs. Anjali Debbarma (Agartala City Baptist Church)

### Sadar North Baptist Sikla Bodol (SNBSB)

* President: Moses Debbarma
* Secretary: Samson Debbarma

### Sunday School Committee

* Convener: Evan. Lalnunsiama
* Member: Rev. Nilmani Debbarma
* Member: Ord. Evan. C. K. Chhoma.

## Affiliated organisations
### Schools

The association runs four English Medium schools, namely:
* Yakhili Academy (in Khumulwng)
* Tipprah Academy (in Barkathal)
* Salka Academy (in Hezamara)
* Pohor Academy (in Burakha)

### Hospital

The foundation for a new hospital under the association was laid on 30 September 2013 for which the construction is underway.
Sponsored by: Sadar North Baptist Women Society (SNBWS)
Location: Patni Village, Borokathal Baptist Pastoral Circle (around 20 km from Agartala city).

### Institute of Community Transformation

Sponsored by Seva Bharat (Mission India)
Location: Madhab Baptist Church, Mandwi Baptist Pastoral Circle.

## Statistics

According to a census published by the association in 2023, it claimed 23,500 members and 191 churches.
SNBA Census
| Description/Particulars | Total ( 2001 ) | Total ( 2010 ) |
| Churches | 84 | 129 |
| Fellowships | 5 | 7 |
| Members | 8,562 | 20,943 |
| * Male members | 4,411 | 11,203 |
| * Female members | 4,151 | 9,740 |
| Minors | 2,972 | 4,533 |
| Government Employees | 947 | 1,480 |
| Christian Families | 2,128 | 4,332 |
| Workers of SNBA | 13 | 52 |
| Pastors | 8 | 10 |
| Evangelists | 4 | 27 |
| Others | 1 | 2 |
| Deacons | 77 | 183 |
| Life Deacons | 2 | 6 |

### Missionaries

There are eight missionaries working in SNBA. Missionaries are mainly from four organisations:
* Baptist Church of Mizoram
* Evangelical Church of Maraland
* Jampui Sakhan Baptist Association
* Kailashahar Baptist Christian Association

## Affiliated churches

Some churches like Zion Baptist Church, Kisong Baptist Church, Jangalia Baptist Church, Abhicharan Baptist Church, Bhuban Chontai Baptist Church, and Khumulwng Baptist Church, have huge strength of members whereas others like churches like Roktia Baptist Church, and Rasu Baptist Church, have less strength of members.
The affiliated churches with foundation date are listed below according to the Pastoral Circles: