Rabha Baptist Church Union

Rabha Baptist Convention (RBC), previously known as “Rabha Baptist Church Union”, is an association of Baptist Christian churches in India. It is in the East of India, primarily in the state of Assam. The Union is made up primarily of Rabha people, an indigenous ethnic group of northeastern India. [1]

Rabha Baptist Convention
Kocha or Koch Rabha
First Congregation at Kalbandhari Pt-II, Debitola, Kokrajhar Assam, 6th May 1959
AbbreviationRBC
ClassificationEvangelicalism
OrientationBaptist
PolityCongregational
RegionMeghalaya, Assam and West Bengal
HeadquartersAssam, India
FounderAustralian Baptist Missionary Society (ABMS)
Origin1959
Kalbhandari, Assam
Congregations64
Members12,356
Rev. Rex Glasby, Australian Baptist Missionary Among Koch Rabha 1959
Becky McDonald, Missionary, Debitola, Kokrajhar, Assam

History

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In the period 1930–32, Christianity was introduced to the tribes and two young Rabhas accepted Christianity.[1] The number of Christian families increased to around 20 families and a church established in Kalbhandari.
Two Rabhas, Kamakya and Ganesh Rabha, approached the Glasbys, Australian missionaries of the Australian Baptist Missionary Society, for help revitalising the church after many families had returned to Hinduism. The first Rabha Baptist Church was established at Kalbhandari on May 6, 1959.[1] Rev Rex Glasby formulated the name “Rabha Baptist Church Union”, registering the RBCU under the society of Registration Act. 1960. The change of name to "Rabha Baptist Convention” occurred on February 14, 2014.

In 2017, the RBC has 12,356 members in 64 churches of Meghalaya, Assam and West Bengal, and eight fellowships.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "History of RBC". Rabha Baptist Convention. 16 October 2017.
  2. ^ "Church Growth". Rabha Baptist Convention. 16 October 2017.
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