Synod Mission Board (SMB)
July 11, 2023 | STATIC PAGE
Ever since the formation of the church in Mizoram, the mission of the Gospel has always been top priority amongst church members. Individual and community efforts have been fruitful in preaching the Gospel to other parts of the world, and this Mission was under the supervision of the Standing Committee for Mizoram Synod. In 1953, the Synod Mission Committee was newly formed, which then became a full fledged Board in 1961, which is considered as the birth of the Synod Mission Board. As such, the SMB can be considered a representative of the Synod in Mission related matters.
There are three main objectives of the SMB, which are:
1. Evangelism
2. Church Planting
3. Pastoral Ministry
For more effective evangelistic endeavoues, the Synod Mission Board established two Committees in every Field, namely the Field Committee and Field Working Committee. It is compulsory for the Field Committee to hold meetings at least once a year, while the Field Working Committee is expected to hold them at least once a month.
Both the Home Mission North and Masihi Sangati, which are under the supervision of the SMB Headquarters, have Working Committees as well.
METHODS OF EVANGELISM
The evangelistic methods of the SMB can be broadly separated into DIRECT and INDIRECT methods. However, it is important to note that what is considered as INDIRECT evangelism can also be utilized as DIRECT evangelism depending on the circumstances.
I. Direct Evangelism: Some methods of Direct Evangelism include camping, campaign, crusade, Bible tract dissemination, home visit, rally and childrens ministry. These type of evangelism are mainly handled by Evangelists and Gospel Teams.
II. Indirect Evangelism: These methods come in the form of different natures of work, such as being an Evangelist Teacher, a Doctor, a Health Worker, a Nurse or a Craft Teacher.
The Almighty has greatly blessed the works of these Missionaries, and the statistics of new believers rises every year due to these initiatives.
INSTITUTIONS: Aside from Field work, there are institutions for training workers as well, which are:
1. Missionary Training College (MTC), Mission Vengthlang
2. Mission Development Training Centre (MDTC), Bualpui
3. Presbyterian Hindi Bible School (PHBS), Bawngkawn
SHORT TERM MISSIONARY: On some occasions, pensioners, government workers and people with special skills are employed as missionaries for a certain period of time. The amount of pay and the duration of the work are decided by the SMB. If anyone wishes to volunteer as a short term missionary, they must submit an application letter to the SMB, along with an approval letter from their local church.
TENT MAKING MISSIONARY: There are evangelists from within and outside Mizoram who wish to continue working while being missionaries at the same time. For these people, Tent Making Missionary is an option, which has a term of three years.
Interested persons can apply to the SMB for Tent Making Missionary, on the criteria that the applicant must be responsible church members, bound under its rules, and must not have additional Mission employment from other groups.
RAMTHAR NEWSPAPER: The Ramthar Newspaper was published from 1984. The newspaper serves as an important source of information for the church with regards to Field work and Evangelistic progress outside the state. Reading the newspaper and becoming well informed is also an important responsibility for church members.
COLLABORATIONS WITH OTHER MISSIONS/GROUPS/CHURCHES: Currently, there are several collaborations with other Missions and groups, which are listed as follows:
| 1) |
Council for World Mission (CWM) (1986) |
-2 |
| 2) |
Emanuel Hospital Association (EHA), Delhi (1980)* |
-1 |
| 3) |
Serving In Mission North East India (SIMNEI) (2008) |
-2 |
| 4) |
Seva Bharat (2008) |
-5 |
| 5) |
Shanti Niketan Subathu, Himachal Pradesh (2011) |
-3 |
| 6) |
Dar-Ul-Fazal, Manali, Himachal Pradesh (2011) |
-2 |
| |
Total |
-15 |
| |
|
|
| |
[*Additional funding is also provided to the EHA.] |
|
Partnership Agreements for financial aid:
1) Darjeeling Hills Bible School, Mirik (2008)
2) Union Biblical Seminary (UBS)
3) Evangelical Fellowship of India
4) Interserve (India) (1985)
5) Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Sikkim (1988)
MISSIONARIES SENT TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES:
1) Cambodia (1 Pastor and 2 Evangelists)
2) Bolivia (1 Doctor and 1 Evangelist)
3) Wales (1 Social Worker)
Currently, the SMB supervises 17 full fledged Mission Fields and 2 minor Mission Fields (Masihi Sangati and Cambodia).
