Meyu Changkiri
Shillong
On this 20th of October 2024, Christians across North East India unite in faith and purpose for the North East India Christian Council (NEICC) Day of Prayer. This day marks a significant moment for us to come together, seeking God’s guidance and strength in the face of the challenges our Christian communities encounter today.
About the NEICC
The North East India Christian Council (NEICC) was founded on November 23, 1937, as the Assam Christian Council, later becoming the NEICC in 1962. Today, the council consists of 37 member churches and 18 associate members, making a total of 55 units. NEICC is home to two key groups: the NEICC Youth Assembly (NEICCYA) and the NEICC Women Assembly (NEICCWA), each with its own leadership and activities.
The NEICC is part of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) and participates in the United Christian Forum of North East India (UCFNEI), which includes most churches in the region, including Roman Catholics.
In 1952, the NEICC established Union Christian College (UCC) in Barapani, Meghalaya. Today, the college educates over 1,000 students across Arts, Commerce, and Science streams in a co-educational, residential setting. In 2016, the NEICC opened UCC Higher Secondary School, which offers classes from Nursery to Class XII. Additionally, the Peace Centre, a hub for research, documentation, and training, has been actively functioning for the past two years.
The NEICC convenes every two years, with the most recent session (4th Biennial Session/80th Session) held at the Jalukie Town Baptist Church in Nagaland from May 16-19, 2024. The next session will be hosted by the Garo Baptist Convention in 2026. The Council’s mission is to promote unity among the churches of North East India, facilitate communication between the government and churches, and foster peace and understanding among different ethnic groups. It also organizes seminars and discussions on church unity and addresses pressing issues in North East India.
As an ecumenical body, the NEICC unites churches and para-church organizations from the seven sister states of North East India. Together, they uphold mutual respect, maintain dignity, and work collectively in mission and witness, celebrating their unity in Christ.
Historical Background
Before the Assam Christian Council (ACC) was established in 1937, churches in the Assam region were part of the Bengal Christian Council (BCC). However, the unique challenges in
Assam prompted leaders to form a separate council. The American Baptists were the first to leave the BCC, while the Welsh Presbyterians remained.
In 1936, the Welsh Presbyterian Mission held an informal meeting to discuss shared concerns and invited other missions in the area. This meeting took place in Shillong on September 22, 1938. On April 15, 1937, official representatives from various churches and missions met for a follow-up session, where they unanimously agreed to form a separate Christian Council for the region. They drafted and adopted a constitution, officially establishing the Assam Christian Council on November 23, 1937. In 1962, the name changed to the North East India Christian Council, affiliated with the National Council of Churches in India.
Member Churches
1. Assam Baptist Convention (ABC), Assam
2. Baptist Church of Mizoram (BCM), Mizoram
3. Biateram Presbyterian Church Synod (BPCS), Assam
4. Bodo Evangelical Lutheran Church (BELC), Assam
5. Cachar Hill Tribes Synod (CHTS), Assam
6. Christ National Church (CNC), Meghalaya
7. Church of God (Ecclesia), Meghalaya
8. Church of God (Meghalaya & Assam), Meghalaya
9. Church of North India (Diocese of North East India), Meghalaya
10. Council of Baptist Churches in North East India (CBCNEI), Assam
11. Evangelical Assembly Church (EAC), Manipur
12. Evangelical Church of Maraland (ECM), Mizoram
13. Evangelical Churches Association (ECA), Manipur
14. Evangelical Free Church of India (EFCI), Manipur
15. Garo Baptist Convention (GBC), Meghalaya
16. Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church (GELC), Assam
17. Independent Church of India (ICI), Manipur
18. Isua Krista Kohhran (IKK), Mizoram
19. Karbi Anglong Baptist Convention (KABC), Assam
20. Karbi Anglong Presbyterian Church Synod (KAPCS), Assam
21. Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Synod Mihngi (KJPSM), Meghalaya
22. Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Synod Sepngi (KJPSS), Meghalaya
23. Lairam Jesus Christ Baptist Church (LIKBK), Mizoram
24. Lower Assam Baptist Fellowship (LABF), Assam
25. Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC), Manipur
26. Manipur Presbyterian Church Synod (MPS), Manipur
27. Mizoram Presbyterian Church Synod (MPCS), Mizoram
28. Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), Nagaland
29. North Bank Baptist Christian Association (NBBCA), Assam
30. Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC), Assam
31. Presbyterian Independent Church of North East India (PICNEI), Assam
32. Reformed Presbyterian Church, North East India (RPCNEI), Manipur
33. Ri-Bhoi Presbyterian Church Synod (RBPS), Meghalaya
34. The Salvation Army, India Eastern Territory (TSA_IET), Mizoram
35. Tripura Baptist Christian Union (TBCU), Tripura
36. Tripura Presbyterian Church Synod (TPCS), Tripura
37. Zou Presbyterian Church Synod (ZPCS), Manipur
Associate Units
1. Association of Theologically Trained Women in India (ATTWI), Mizoram Branch
2. Campus Crusade for Christ – NEI (CCC)
3. Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA)
4. Friends Missionary Prayer Band (FMPB)
5. India Every Home Crusade (IEHC)
6. Mizo Theological Association (MTA)
7. North East Centre for Training and Research (NECTAR)
8. North East India Christian Endeavour (NEICE)
9. North East India Committee on Relief and Development (NEICORD)
10. North East India Harvest Network (NEIHN)
11. Serving in Mission North East India (SIMNEI)
12. Shillong Christian Youth Organisation and Conference (SCYO&C)
13. Student Christian Movement, Meghalaya Zone (SCMM)
14. Thlarau Bo Zawngtute (TBZ)
15. The Leprosy Mission Mizoram (TLM)
16. World Vision of India (NEI Zone)
17. Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA)
18. Zoram Evangelical Fellowship (ZEF)
Current Leadership (2024-2026)
1. President: Rev SR Dkhar, Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Church Synod Mihngi, Meghalaya
2. Vice Presidents:
(i). Rev Kamson Rongphar, Karbi Anglong Baptist Convention, Assam (ii). Rev Lalfakzuala, Mizoram Presbyterian Church Synod, Mizoram
3. General Secretary: Rev Dr Ramengliana, Manipur Presbyterian Church Synod, Manipur
4. Treasurer: Rev I Khyriem, Church of God (Ekklesia), Meghalaya
Committees
The Council has the following committees:
1. Executive Committee
2. Working Committee
3. Six Standing Committees:
(i). Christian Home and Stewardship Committee (ii). Church Union Committee
(iii). Mission & Evangelism Committee (iv). Peace and Justice Committee
(v). Theological Education Committee (vi). Trust Management Committee
Ecumenism in NEICC
Ecumenism within the North East India Christian Council (NEICC) emphasizes promoting unity and cooperation among the region’s various Christian denominations and communities. Given the region's rich diversity of Christian traditions, ecumenism aims to bring together tribal and denominational groups in shared faith. Despite doctrinal differences, NEICC fosters collaboration in mission work, social justice, and community development to address pressing social issues such as poverty, education, healthcare, and human rights.
With the region’s diverse cultural landscape, ecumenism also encourages respect for cultural differences, while finding common ground in faith. NEICC organizes interdenominational activities like prayer meetings, workshops, seminars, and joint worship services to build relationships and strengthen unity. The Council is committed to advocating for peace and justice, focusing on issues like ethnic conflict, environmental concerns, and social injustices. Involving youth and women in these ecumenical efforts is a key focus, recognizing their vital role in shaping the future of the Church and society.
Conclusion
As Christians across North East India gather for this Day of Prayer, may we seek wisdom to discern the needs of our communities, courage to act, and resources to fulfill our mission. United in faith and prayer, we can advance in solidarity and leave a lasting impact on our region and beyond.