MANIPUR MISSION FIELD (1967- ) by khankhup

The
missionary works among the Meitei tribes in Manipur is having both
advantage and dis- advantaged; according to the mission field workers
reports. They were much loyal in thinking, politically, socially and
governmentally. It is not an easy task to evangelize among Meitei
peoples said an IEM missionary. The British and Foreign Bible Society
in India
was established on 1804, under this society the serampore missionaries
were printed New Testament in Manipuri language possibly with Bengali
codes in the year 1827. The William Pettigrew translated NT in Manipuri
alphabet was printed on 1931. The southern Manipur Christianity was
1910, the Paite holy Bible NT, was printed on 1951, the Rev.Nengzachin
translated both NT and OT was printed in 1971 and the Lamkatung Local
committees established Meitei Evangelical Committee in 1st
December 1967 as the missionary works beginning even today they called
Manipur Mission field. The study of Manipur mission field briefly we
will classifies into three divisions: 4 (A) The Origin and Developments of Manipur Mission Fields. The churches have been established the outreach ministry before the Lamkatung Evangelical Convention Church was established the "Meitei Evangelical Committee" on 1st
December night 1967. (Khamvum.pp-15). The Lamkatung ECC local churches
established MEC have three missionaries, "Mr. Lalsang as missionary at
Moirang Khunou 85/-, Mr. Seido at Kumbi Terakhonga 60/, Miss Thiengi at
Bishenpur 55/Rs. Per month in the year 1967! The MEC first meeting in
their resolution no, 7; they made three petitions to the 19th
MCC Annual conference at pearsonmun, Lamka in the year 1968. The MCC
annual convention 1968 at pearsonmun, 12-14 January, Resolution no (a)
& (b) are followings; i)    The Meitei Evangelical committee established was appreciate and recognized like we recognized other department of the ECC. ii)   The
MEC ministry was continuously encouraged and let them collect money for
their works and take Auditors and audit for their financial affairs. The
conference response we didn't found three missionaries to support and
to help in 600Rs MEC missionary works. The MEC had been changed into
Meitei gammial board at the 23rd ECC annual conference at
Hanship in the year 1972. The Evangelization among the Meitei was known
as progress and the Meitei Evangelical Convention Church (MECC) was
established at Dorcas hall on 15th September 1989
with the representatives of churches native of Thamnapokpii,
Naranseina, Nambol, Sugnu, Phayeng, Awang potsangbam, Thoubal Khunou,
and Taretkhul formed standing committee of the MECC. 5              (B) The Methodology of Manipur Mission Fields. The
goal setting of Ebcc is to have three medical missionary, three Bible
translator, Three social worker and established many more schools in
the mission fields within 10 years and to established other mission
fields and to have more workers for the mission fields(Luaichinthang
,pp 190). According to the 1992 figurative, most of the high castes
were living in plains and low caste was living in the remote areas. The
religious percentage are following Hindu 60%, Muslim 7%, Evil Worship
2% and 31% was only Christians. (Luaichinthang, pp 44). (1) General Methods
:-
There was no fundamental process of mission, but according to the
peoples, their religion, conditions, social issues , and according to
there cultural affairs the method was made and practiced. In some
places, tracks distribution and house visitation is effective. In some
hidden places open air preaching and counseling is useful. Most of the
early period in the mission fields' gospel film shows effective, but
not all the places. The gospels campaigns, Crusades, Child evangelisms,
School ministries are the general methods in the mission field. The
mission includes evangelism, education and social action.   (Piangzathang,
mission silver jubilee souvenir 1992 pp. 49). The Christianity of
Manipuri was not impressed and changed them not inwardly, but it seems
like cosmetic powder which applied in the body.
6 (C) The Challenges of Manipur Mission Field Today: There
are 2,388,634 total populations living in Manipur today. (2007 census).
The main occupation of 66 percent of the population of Manipur is
agriculture. Nearly 92% of the total area is hilly and covered with
forest. (Year book 2003 pp 653). There are two sub groups of these
communities   which claims belong to the
Kshatriya and Brahmin. The influenced of Hindu religion beliefs and
practiced affects even today nearly 2/3 of the population (H.M Bareh
274). Through
the works of Christian missionaries, thousands of Meitei were converted
in to Christianity and various revivals have been happened in this
community. As they have new Meiteilon (Manipuri), which falls within
the Tibetan- Burman family. (H.M Bareh 275).They considered Hinduism is
not their religion while still they were Hindus practiced and belief.
They considered,"Sana Mahi" is their forefather's religion, but Sana
Mahi brought nothing changed inwardly. They found true religion is
Christian, the joy and happiness which was found in the Bible is not
found in the other religions. Although
they considered themselves to become Christians is to follow the hilly
tribes religion; but some how they really esteems the Christians.
(Khamvum, P.P.46). The Christian religion is good, but their lifestyle
condemned or made become nothing the unbelievers added. The Christians
were preaching and bringing good news to others, but peoples are
observing the Christians. Until and unless the Christians have Christ
like attitudes to others, there is no way the Meitei peoples will be
converted them into Christianity.