HISTORY OF VENGLAI LOCAL

Before the establishment of United Pentecostal Church, Venglai Local, UPC members within Lunglei town used to attend worship services at Rahsiveng. As time went on and church membership grew, the idea of branching out to form a separate local church (then known as Bawngveng) was submitted to and deliberated by the Church Committee. The date, venue, and attending members were recorded as follows in the minute book:

Church Committee : Dt. 05.10.1969
Venue : Residence of Elder Chhawntluanga
Time : After morning worship service
Chairman : Elder Lalzaruaia

Attending Members :
Elder Chhawntluanga, Pu Laiveta, Pu Dengsaia, Elder Chawngdailova, Pu Chalmawia, Pu Hualzika, Elder Hrangchhuana, Pu Darchhinga, Pu Khuancheuva, Pu Vaidenga

SEPARATION OF THE CHURCH:
The separation of Bawngveng UPC Church was deliberated. Due to the wide geographic area and the increasing membership, the separation of Bawngveng Church was unanimously deemed necessary. The District Presbyter was notified, and the main church cooking pots were divided equally (two each), as were the Holy Bibles (one each). On Sunday, October 12, 1969, a farewell program with a tea fellowship was held at the Rahsiveng Church building. Special offerings were collected for this event by church workers and designated collectors.

Farewell Programme for 12.10.1969:
1. Chairman : District Presbyter
2. Sermon : District Presbyter
3. Speakers : 1) Elder Chhawntluanga, Rahsiveng 2) Elder Lalzaruaia, Bawngveng
4. Fellowship Singing : RESIDENCE OF LALVETA
Chairman : Pu Chalmawia
Tea will also be served.

Upon the separation of the church, the following items were handed over: 10 Long Benches (given as a loan), 1 Large Cooking Pot, 1 Large Base Lamp, and 1 Holy Bible. At the time of separation, there were about 200 members, and the first worship service was held on Sunday, October 19, 1969. Evan. T. Tumsanga was appointed as Meeting Chairman and Pastor J. Laltluanga as the Speaker. However, as they were unable to attend, Elder Lalzaruaia led the service, and Evan. Zachana delivered the sermon.

Furthermore, the first Church Leaders selected by the Church Board were: Elders :-
1. Biakmawia 2. Chalmawia 3. Darhmingthanga 4. P Khawma 5. Lalhmuaka 6. Lalzaruaia 7. Pathiauva 8. K Vaidenga

Church Board Members :
Chairman : Evan Zachana
Secretary : Bro. Khuangcheuva
Asst. Secretary : Elder Biakmawia
Treasurer (PRZ) : Bro. Lalzuithanga
Sunday Morning Treasurer : Elder P Khawma
Building Treasurer : Elder Lalzaruaia and Bro. Kalkhama
Programme Secretary : Bro. Khuangcheuva

In addition to the Elders, the early Church Workers were:
1. Evan Zachana 2. Lalzuithanga 3. Hualzika 4. Khuangcheuva 5. Sapbawii 6. Ngurtawna 7. Khawvelthanga

Acquisition of the Church Building and Land: Since the church did not have a church building immediately upon separation, they held worship services at the home of Pu Lalzuithanga for some time. God presence was with the congregation, and they experienced great spiritual joy. During this period, having no dedicated land, church leaders made every effort and initially secured the land where the Police Lane quarter site now stands. However, after site leveling had already begun, private objections arose. Consequently, the present church site—which is entirely Police land with just enough space for the building—was pursued. To secure this plot, church leaders including Pu Lalzaruaia, Pu Hrangmuana, and Pu Lalzuithanga traveled to Aizawl and met with Pu F. Lalremsiama, IPS (the then Aizawl SP) multiple times, declaring, "We will keep coming until we get it." Following repeated requests, the current church land was granted. Initially acquired without a Land Lease, a formal Land Lease was successfully finalized in 2005 through the persistent efforts of church leaders alongside Rev. PC. Rosanga during his tenure as Section Pastor (Pukpui Section).

The congregation engaged in extensive voluntary manual labor, lighting Petromax lamps during both day and night to level the ground. Following the separation, building a church was an urgent necessity. Members worked tirelessly, cutting timber at the lower slopes of Rahsiveng to construct the building. The church building was completed and made ready for inauguration on October 21, 1973. At the time, it featured bamboo-mat walls and a corrugated tin roof, supported by 4 bundles of CGI sheets provided by the District under District Pastor Rev. K Satinvela. Following successful completion, the inauguration took place on October 21, 1973, officiated by District Pastor Rev. K. Satinvela, with a brief address delivered by Rev. J. Damhuala.

Programmes continued into the afternoon and evening services, with Rev. Saihnuna speaking during the afternoon service and Rev. Lerthansunga delivering the sermon in the evening.

The First Sunday School Leaders were as follows: Superintendent : Evan Zachana
Secretary/Treasurer : Sis. Lalkhawmi

The First LAD (Ladies Auxiliary Department) Leaders were:
President : Lalkhawmi
Vice President : Hmingi
Secretary : Vanlalmawii
Treasurer : Lawmkimi
Asst. Treasurer : Biakthuami

During this period, PYD was not yet established and was known as Conquerors. The first President was Pu Biakkima, the Vice President was Pu Hrangkima (now residing in Aizawl), and the Secretary was R Thangchhinga.

On April 5, 1975, the Venghlun Church amicably separated from Venglai. Following the separation of Venghlun Church, the first Church Board Chairman was Elder K Vaidenga, and the first Secretary was Evan. Saithanga. Appointments for the 1976 Church Board were conducted on January 18, 1976, at 12:30 p.m. at the residence of Elder K. Vaidenga, attended by 7 members. Rev. H. Chalchhunga presided as Chairman, and Pastor K. Lalzarliana served as Acting Secretary. The initial leaders appointed after the separation of Venghlun (formerly Bawngveng) Church were:

MAIN CHURCH COMMITTEE
Chairman : Elder Biakmawia
Secretary : Elder K Vaidenga
Treasurer : Evan Lalzuithanga
Church Board Members : 1. Pu Pathiauva 2. Pu Ngurtawna
Sunday School Secretary : Elder Hrangmuana
Sunday School Treasurer : Elder Biakmawia

CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW CHURCH BUILDING: On the night of January 9, 1994, Resolution No. 1 of the Church Board Committee meeting held at the residence of Evan. Lalzuithanga approved the reconstruction of the church building using concrete. From that point onward, work progressed steadily without interruption. On May 4, 1995, voluntary labor was organized to dig foundation pillar holes, initiated with a prayer of dedication by Section Pastor Rev. C. Darnghaka. Masons were hired to commence construction on May 9, 1995, and the building was completed within nine (9) months, leading to its occupation on February 14, 1996. As time progressed and membership continued to grow, the church building was expanded accordingly. Beginning in 2014, the front portion of the current church building was extended and renovated, bringing it to its present structure. Today, approximately three hundred church members attend worship services.

Present Status: Venglai Local currently has 310 members (2025 report). At present, there are 4 Elders, 3 Church Workers, 1 General License Holder, and 1 Ordained License Holder.

Local Leaders for 2025-2026: Chairman : Rev. Ralkapkunga Khiangte
Vice Chairman : Elder C. Zonghinga
Secretary & Statistician : Evan C. Lalremchhunga
Treasurer : Elder Zoramdina Ralte