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Baptist Youth Fellowship

Posted by Media Team on April 10, 2024

EVANGELICAL BAPTIST CONVENTION

BAPTIST YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

Introduction:

One of the important branches or departments of the Evangelical Baptist Convention is its Youth Wing known as Youth Fellowship. At the time of EBC inception, there was no youth department or youth fellowship. After some years of ministry, based on the vision of founder leaders, a resolution adopted and accordingly a new department entitled YCAR (Young Christian Advance Rally) which covers the Children and Youth ministries. Rev Kaineng was the first to head YCAR department. He was succeeded by Rev Siamkung. However, in 1965, while the YCAR has been ministering to the Children and the Youth, the new youth department entitled Khristian Tuailai Pawl (KTP) now Baptist Youth Fellowship was set up at Hiangtam Lamka, Churachandpur District Manipur. They were:

BYF FOUNDER MEMBERS: 1965

01. N Vungthang - Chairman

02. S Kamgou - Vice Chairman

03. Ginkhokam - Secretary

04. G Haukhomang - Asst. Secretary

05. H Nengzatun - Treasurer

06. H Vungzamang - Finance Secretary

07. T Ngulthuam - Member

08. L Tualthang - Member

09. L Vungzathang - Member

10. S Sanglian - Member

11. L Thangnon - Member

12. Zamlian - Member

13. Chiinzaching - Member

14. Zadim - Member

15. Khamnem - Member

(Some of them have been promoted to glory to be with the Lord.)

The theme of BYF was “For Christ and the Church”. This theme was enshrined in the present BYF logo. It is our dearly cherished inheritance from our past leaders. We believed the future leadership will also maintain the theme in words and action. The Aims and Objectives of founders of BYF are given below:-

1. Expansion (development) of the kingdom of God and the Church.

2. For training the youth in preaching God’s word and their Christian growth.

3. To train the younger generation to sing hymns according to tune (Solfa).

4. To imbibe missionary zeal to work for unreached people in Christian giving.

Brief history and Activities of the BYF:

Being an important department of the Evangelical Baptist Convention and by the grace of God Baptist Youth Fellowship did many noteworthy activities and achievements. We will not be able to list them all in detail. However, following are some of the most important and noteworthy chronologically, with the main functionaries by name:

1965 - BYF was born on the day October 18, under the leadership of N Vungthang

the founder chairman at Hiangtam Lamka, Churachandpur District, Manipur.

1967 - BYF Central Board was set up, founder Chairman being Upa Khaivum.

1967 - Hiangtam Lamka hosted the 1st BYF General Conference.

1968 - EBC Annual Convention approved the setting up of Baptist Youth Fellowship.

1969 - The 2nd General Conference of BYF held at Zenhang Lamka.

1970 - The 3rd BYF General Conference held at Singngat.

1971 - The 4th BYF General Conference held at Hiangtam Lamka.

- “BYF Bible Camp” organized at Pearsonmun paddy field for the first time.

1972 - The 5th BYF General Conference held at Lungchin Village.

1973 - The 6th BYF General Conference held at Singngat.

- Youth Department established in each EBC Local church.

1974 - The 7th BYF General Conference held at Mualnuam.

1975 - Mr H Tunzakham, the first full-time Youth Secretary takes over charge.

- The 8th BYF General Conference held at Songtal Village.

- Officers Bible Camp organized at Pearsonmun paddy field for the first time.

- The famous “Missionary Box Carried” organized by the BYF throughout

EBC jurisdiction.

1977 - The 9th BYF General Conference held at Sinjawl Village.

1978 - Rev S Neng Za Khup, the second full time Youth Secretary took over charge.

1979 - Rev Dr Ginnei Thang, the third full time Youth Secretary took over charge.

1980 - The 10th BYF General Conference held at Mualnuam Village.

1981 - Officers Bible Camp held at Dorcas Hall, New Lamka for the second time.

1983 - The 11th BYF General Conference held at Teikhang Village.

- Mission Workers Bible Camp held at Dorcas Hall organized by Youth.

1984 - The 12th BYF General Conference held at Bungmual.

- BYF Central Board ended.

1986 - Rev Dr T Pum Za Thang, the fourth full time Youth Secretary took over

charge. Designated as Youth and Missions Promoter

- Last Sunday of August fixed as BYF Day for the first time.

1987 - The famous “Youth ’87” (Mega Conference) held at Lamka College ground.

- Conference theme, “Youth for Christ”.

- Tremendously grand, better-organized in comparison with previous youth conferences. It changed the life-styles of many, many youth. A great reconnaissance in the Churches.

1988 - Convention Youth Choir started under voluntary leadership of Mr HKhantawng.

A milestone in Choir, Praise Worship in EBC churches.

1989 - Officers Bible Camp held for the third time at Ebenezer Academy

1990 - Youth ’90 –cum- Silver Jubilee Celebration held at Lamka Public Ground.

- Theme : “Youth for Other People”

- Silver Jubilee Stone erected in front of Hiangtam Lamka Church.

- Memorial Gifts presented to BYF Founder members.

- All EBC Choir Competition conducted; BYF Central Lamka took first prize.

1995 - Youth ’95 (Mega Conference) held at Bungmual Playground.

- Theme: “Youth to Conquer the Land for Christ” Missionary Challenge and Window to South East Asia.

1996 - BYF Day, changed to nearest Sunday of October 18.

1997 - Rev T Thangrawnlian, the fifth full time Youth Secretary took over charge.

1998 - Rev N Vungzasin, the sixth full time youth secretary took over charge.

- EBC Central Choir reconstituted by Youth Department.

- Salpha Bible Camp held at GBC only for Zomi National Volunteers.

1999 - Rev V Pumkam, the 7th full time Youth Secretary took over charge.

2000 - Mega Conference called “Youth-Mission 2000” held at GBC Campus, New Lamka.

- Conference theme: “Youth For Missions”.

- First exposure to the 10/40 Window for EBC youths.

- Praise and Worship Team in services introduced in this grand conference.

2001 - BYF Leaders’ Conference, held at Mimbung Village for the first time.

- As a follow-up of EBC’s affiliation to the APBF and BWA, KTP the first name was officially re-designated as Baptist Youth Fellowship (BYF).

2002 - Officers Bible Camp, held at GBC Campus for the fourth time.

2003 - Central Baptist Youth Fellowship Sub-Committee (CBYF) at Headquarters

level formed by the BOT.

- Elder L Vungzamuan, the 8th full time youth secretary took over charge. Designated as Youth Coordinator.

2004 - EBC youths participated at NEICC Youth Conference Sutnga, Meghalaya

- EBC youths participated at MBC Youth Triennial Conference, Ukhrul

2005 - Mega conference called “Youth 2005 -cum- 40th Anniversary Celebration”

held at Ebenezer Academy Campus.

- Theme: “Youth To Change the World”

- Seminar topics- MESA (Mission, Economics, Self-confidence, Academics).

2006 - EBC Youth Choir participated at NEICC Youth Conference, Lawngtlai Mizoram.

Youth Coordinator elected as Vice President NEICCYA.

- EBC Central Choir re-constituted with renewed spirit.

- Armed Forces Bible Camp held at GBC for Armed Forces Personnel only.

2007 - EBC Youth Choir participated at APBF Congress, Chiang Mai Thailand.

Please note: This is our first exposure outside India.

- EBC Youth Choir participated at National Youth Carnival held at Dimapur, organized by Baptist Youth Fellowship India.

2008 - EBC Youth Choir participated at NEICC Youth Conference, Shillong.

- EBC Youth Choir participated at FMPB National Golden Jubilee Celebration held at New Delhi.

- Career Guidance program successfully organized for younger students.

2009 - Preparation for Mega youth conference called “Youth 2010” in full swing;

motivation team dispatched even to the remotest villages.

2010 - Youth 2010 -cum- Gospel Centenary Celebration for Southern Manipur held

at Ebenezer Academy.

- Theme: “Extra-mile for Christ”

- Seminar topics : Extra-mile in Missions, Extra-mile in Integral Mission, Extra-mile in Business, Extra-mile in Politics, Extra-mile in Career Guidance, Extra-mile in Contemporary Music and Worship”.

- Nine front-line missionaries shared their ministries in “Special Talk” time.

2011 - BYF Leaders’ Conference held at Singngat.

- 10-men delegation sent to the APBYF Regional Conference held at Kathmandu Nepal.

- Theme for the Year: “Renewed Strength in the Lord (Isaih 40:31)

2012 - “Seminar for Youth Leaders” jointly organized with Haggai Institute India at

Dorcas Hall.

- BYF Leaders’ Conference held at Bukpi Village. Drama Competition conducted, out of 16 local Church participated. BYF Zion won the first prize.

- Theme 2012 : “Called to be Disciple” (Mark 3:14)

2013 - Youth 2015 -cum- BYF Golden Jubilee planned.

- Theme for 2013 “Faithfull Witness” (Nas. 22:15)

- Plan to have “Soul Winners Conference” only interested persons will attend

- At the Baptist Youth World Conference, Singapore, July 17-21, fifteen delegates proposed to be sent.