Utkal Baptist Mandali Sammilani

Utkal Baptist Mandali Sammilani is the other name of Canadian Baptist Mission in South Odisha. It is the independent and indigenous body without any private control.

Brief History

J.A. Gladdening is said to be the Thomas of Gajapati who came to Paralakhemundi in 1902. The first person to be baptized was Biswanath Edla who was baptized on March 20, 1907. Other people who followed Biswanath Edla were Madhab Pani, Jagannatha Pani, Sridhara Pal and Aromo Parichha (the history of Ganjam agency Baptist Churches Association). Biswanath Edla was baptised at Paralakhemundi on March 20, 1907. Gradually the number increased and believers got together in different Churches.^[1]

Christians from Serango, Bhramarpur and Puruna Gumma (present Gumma) had their Church at Buruding, which was the first Church of the association (Sammilani). The association has changed its name 5 times as follows.

• 1. Paralakhemundi Malo Christian Mandali Sammilani (1922)
• 2. Ganjam Malo Canadian Baptist Utkala Christiya Sammilani (1940)
• 3. Ganjam Malo Canadian Baptist Saura Odia Khrista Mandali Sammilani (1947)
• 4. Ganjam Malo Saura Odia Baptist Mandali Sammilani (1958)
• 5. Ganjam Malo Odia Baptist Mandali Sammilani (1961)
• 6. Utkal Baptist Mandali Sammilani (present)

10 most oldest Churches of the Odia association

• 01 Buruding - Established on March 3, 1910 (284)
• 02 Badapada – Established on Mar 23, 1913
• 03 Serango – Established on Mar 14, 1918
• 04 Rayagada – Established on Mar 19, 1922
• 05 Narayanpur – Established in 1923
• 06 Jhalarsingh – Established on Dec 14, 1930
• 07 Chheligada – Established in 1931
• 08 R.Udayagiri – Established in 1932
• 09 Nuagada – Established in 1933
• 10 Gumma – Established on Feb 27, 1938

By 1985 there were 20 Central Churches and 86 branch congregations. On Mar 6, 1985 UBCA granted registered number under FCRA ^[2]

Suratha Pani, the most esteemed evangelist, was studying at Paralakhemundi who was an intelligent boy. Gladdenings wanted to utilize him for mission work. So he was baptized in 1921 only at the age of 12. So, he went to Kakinada Baptist Mission College. Both Suratha and his friend Sutika were young leaders in the association. After the training both Suratha and his wife ministered in South Odisha. They were highly respected not only in Odia people but also in Soura people.^[3]

Problems in Mission work

• 1. The Association was going through both internal and external problems. On Feb 4, 1958, Dr. Sydney Hilleyer, Gen. Secy Canadian Board came to Serango and met the members of the association directly to discuss some internal matters.
• 2. Some so called End-Time apostles wanted to divide the Churches and take over the Church building at Nuagada which was the largest Church building in that time.
• 3. In the decade of 80’s it faced problem of possible reconversion as there was reports from the Churches about RSS and VHP making attempts to reconvert new believers.

During these crisis moment Parida became the central Church on Nov 30, 1989 ^[4]

Persecution

• (1) Rayagada Pastor Bana Ratna and Bathela Arjuna of Talamanda were killed by tribal people and Christians were looted.
• (2) On March 16, 1999 a Hindu mob of 5000 attacked Ranalai and set their houses on fire^[5][6][7] and looted everything. Of course, except the 3 injured, all were safe. The next day, then the CM of Odisha Sri Giridhari Gamango had a visit on the next day.
• (3) During Kandhamal riot in 2008, a few small villages in unreached areas were also targeted by extremists. They killed the pastor of Mukundapur, a small village in Gajapati District ^[8][9]

Education

Haripani Jena is the first high school pass out. Suratha Pani was an excellent student. After his education at Paralakhemundi he was chosen to go to Kakinanda by J.A. Gladdening who came to Paralakhemundi in 1902. Canadian Baptist Mission also helped Odia students to study theology subjects in Cuttack which started in 1919. To spread education, the Canadian missionaries wanted to set up a hostel at Gladdening Bunglow, Serango which was proposed by the Soura-Odia Workboard and Perry Allaby strongly recommended it. They also started a Christian hospital in 1860 which is the first Christian hospital by Canadian missionaries.^[10][11] They also set up Christian High School and Poor Boys’ and Girls’ home at Paralakhemundi. The missionaries also devised Roman script for Soura language ^[12]

Key people

• 1. Suratha Pani

Commonly known as Pani Babu (1910-1986) is from a village named Gumma near Serango. JA Gladdening, the Thomas of Gajapati took care of his theology training at Baptist Theological Seminary, Kakinada. He was brilliant student. After his theology training he was involved in mission work. Unlike modern organization heads he served the tribal people both spiritually and earthly. He used to have teaching and prayer days twice a day at his residence at Gumma where he taught them Bible and prayed for them.

In later days Pani Babu turned into an excellent Bible teacher. Still now he is regarded the most excellent Bible teacher in the State of Odisha. He was not only a Bible teacher, but also a godly person. He had also an excellent capability of leadership. He was one among the three who was given the responsibility of taking care of the Sammilani.^[13]

• 2. Amaresh Karada

Commonly known as Karada Babu was from Badapada, Gajapati. However, he also spent some time at Gumma. He is known for miraculous activities throughout South Odisha.

• 3. Upendra Parichha

Commonly known as Parichha Babu is from a small village of Kumulasing, Gajapati. He is regarded now the most excellent Bible teacher in Odisha. He is a great Bible orator in Odia, Soura and Telugu. Before his conversion into Christianity he was an anti social person. Later when he embraced Christianity by receiving Jesus he turned into a great Bible teacher. Kenneth Knight, in his book mentions of his 40 days fasting with the Lord. .^[14]

• 4. Sutika Lima

He was the former pastor of Gumma. He was one among the three persons who was given the responsibility of taking care of the Sammilani. He was a school teacher. He left his job just to serve the Church. He is also a good Bible teacher. .^[15]

See also

• Orissa Baptist Evangelistic Crusade

References