Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
– Colossians 3:2
History
Believing in God’s Word and Spirit
Evangelical Baptist Convention (formerly known as Evangelical Convention Church) was established in 1948 at Sialbu village in Southern Manipur, India. Today, the EBC, having more than 150 local churches, has its Headquarters at Dorcas’ Hall, New Lamka, Manipur. With the advent of modernisation, along with its inevitable urbanisation, members of the Church started migrating to towns and cities for better education as well as employment in various parts of India since the 1970s. As early as 1970s, some members of the EBC have started living in Mumbai. In the year 1993, members of the EBC along with other Zomis started a non-denominational
Christian Fellowship called the Zomi Worship Service, Mumbai (later and now known as Mumbai Zomi Christian Fellowship). The EBC leadership has a conviction and a vision of “church planting” and “church growth” in towns and cities for the care and nurture of its members living therein in evangelical faith and also for the purpose of the furtherance of the Gospel in mainland India. Since the 1990s, various Evangelical Baptist Convention Churches (Local churches) have been established in various parts of the country including Delhi, Shillong, Dimapur, Guwahati, Bengaluru, Chennai, Itanagar and Kolkata.
Mission
“The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions.”
As followers of Jesus Christ and the teaching of the Bible, and as part of the Universal Christian Church, we commit ourselves to proclaim the Words of God, to teach the Good news, baptize and nurture new believers. The Church is committed to respond to human needs by loving service, to transform the unjust structures and evils of the society, to safeguard the integrity of creation.
To attain its objectives, the Church is involved in evangelism, opening and maintaining churches and Sunday Schools, running educational institutions, rehabilitation centres for victims of substance abuse, support the welfare projects/activities of the State, among others to demonstrate the gospel in words and deeds.
Beliefs
“The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions.”
The Holy Bible consisting of 66 books, 39 books of the Old Testament and 27 books of the New Testament from Genesis to Revelation, is fully and uniquely inspired Word of God, the only infallible, sufficient, authoritative rule of faith and practice. One God eternally existent in three persons God the father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth by incarnation, His sinless life, His vicarious death on the Cross,.
His bodily resurrection from death, His Ascension to Heaven, His Intercession and His Personal Return in Power and Glory. The Holy Spirit the author of the new birth, the comforter, sanctifier and indwelling in believers by the Spirit. That man was created in the image of God; but He fell into sin and thereby incurred not only physical death but also Spiritual death which is a separation from God, that all human beings in consequence of that fall are born with sinful nature. Salvation of the lost and sinful man through regeneration by the Holy Spirit and by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The bodily resurrection of both the saved and the unsaved, they are saved unto resurrection of eternal life with God, and they are lost unto the resurrection of eternal damnation. The Spiritual unity of all believers who comprises the Church, the Body of Christ in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Head.
Core Values
“It’s not hard to make decisions once you know what your values are.”
BIBLICAL AUTHORITY: The Bible is God’s holy Word. It uniquely and infallibly reveals God’s plan for His people and how to live out that plan, individually and corporately. Beliefs, practices, priorities, and our mission are to be anchored in clear biblical teachings. Jesus Christ is the defining feature of God’s will and relationship with all humankind. In Christ is found both newness of life and the highest and clearest example for godliness.
People made new in Christ find Him to be the source of faith, hope, and love in both the inner life and in our outward actions engaging a world desperate for hope and life. Making disciples is a clear mandate from Christ. This requires a strong missional focus on evangelism and training in spiritual growth and holy living. Done effectively, this will produce and promote growth and health in and among the churches. The denomination exists to help local congregations grow and multiply, be more healthy, and more authentically reflect God’s plan. Local churches are the most fundamental and strategic points of evangelism and discipleship. The challenge of the denomination is to keep finding the best ways to serve, strengthen, and multiply congregations.