ABOUT HMUNTLANG VILLAGE

Before the insurgency (Rambuai), Hmuntlang was a village of about 103 households with over 500 residents. It is situated approximately 8 km southeast of Haulawng. Historically, Hmuntlang was almost entirely inhabited by members of the Baptist Church, alongside a small Salvation Army community. On January 30, 1967, Indian military jet fighters heavily bombed the village, making it uninhabitable and forcing the villagers to be grouped and resettled at Haulawng. After conditions stabilized, several residents returned in 1974, and they have continued to inhabit the village ever since. As of 2021, there are 25 households with a current population of 142 residents.

Revival Movement in Hmuntlang : Around 1960-61, a powerful spiritual revival swept through the Baptist Church, characterized by physical bodily manifestations, speaking in tongues, and various forms of spiritual dancing. Differing reactions between those who experienced these manifestations and those who did not created varying atmospheres and led to significant division in opinions and preferences within the church. During this period, Pu Sainghina, Dahrawk, a senior police officer from Lunglei, visited Hmuntlang and stayed at the home of the village Chief, Pu Lalphunga. He was an eloquent speaker who skillfully shared messages about the revival movement and the history of how the UPC was established in Mizoram as a result of such revival. His listeners were deeply inspired.

Hmuntlang village had a satellite hamlet called ‘Khawngbawk’. Initially, it consisted of only about six (6) households, all belonging to the Baptist Church and attending worship at a single church in Hmuntlang, located just 1 km away. They too were deeply touched by this revival movement.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UPC CHURCH

As the revival movement took deeper root, the revival believers increasingly felt that they no longer fit in their existing church setup, leading them to gather regularly at the home of Pu Lalnghenga. On the second Sunday of March 1962, the revivalists from both Hmuntlang and Khawngbawk met at Pu Lalnghenga’s house and decided, “Let us invite Pastor J. Laltluanga, the UPC Pastor currently ministering in Haulawng; if we find it right, we shall join, and if not, we shall refrain.” Consequently, they sent for Pastor J. Laltluanga from Haulawng. Accompanying him from Haulawng were Sister Hmingliani (daughter of the Haulawng Chief) and B. Thlamuana, alongside R. Sechala from Pukpui.

The revivalists held a conference at Pu Lalnghenga's home on Sunday. Pastor J. Laltluanga's eloquent preaching, accompanied by manifestations of speaking in tongues, deeply moved the congregation's hearts. Following the Sunday service, several attendees expressed a desire to receive baptism on Monday. Led by Pu Lalnghenga and Pu Rengchhunga, baptism services commenced. Throughout that week, daily baptism services were conducted, bringing the total membership to around 56 believers.

The Church Formally Established : With membership reaching approximately 56 believers, Pastor J. Laltluanga appointed initial leaders and formally organized the local church on Sunday, April 7, 1962, ensuring regular administration and church order.

The First Church Leaders Were :

• Chairman : Elder Vanthangpuia (Elder Vanbiala)
• Secretary : Elder Lalnghenga
• Treasurer : Elder Tawnluia

The Following Were Appointed to Serve in Ministry Work :

1. Lungmuana
2. K. Zaihnuna
3. Vanchhuanga
4. Bualzika
5. Aihrangaa
6. Hranghleia
7. Hualzika
8. C. Zonghinga

Additionally, several spiritually mature and key women leaders contributed significantly.

Thus, the United Pentecostal Church was officially established in Hmuntlang on Sunday, April 7, 1962. Upon establishment, all revival believers from Khawngbawk who were baptized in Jesus' name were also fully included, worshipping together in one place.

CHRONOLOGY OF CHURCH BUILDINGS

Initially, the congregation gathered at Pu Lalnghenga’s residence. Although the host family was extremely generous, holding regular services in a private residence was deemed unsustainable; hence, building a dedicated church sanctuary became an urgent priority.

Acquisition of Church Site : A leveled site previously occupied by the Salvation Army Hall at the edge of Hmuntlang village, known as ‘Len-veng’, was designated as the church plot and cleared immediately for construction.

1st Church Building : As church membership reached around 120 believers, construction began in late October 1962. Driven by collective enthusiasm, a bamboo-walled sanctuary (maurap) was completed in time to hold services by Christmas. The congregation, including the believers from Khawngbawk, worshipped joyously in this new sanctuary.

Barely four years into occupying the sanctuary, armed clashes broke out between Indian armed forces and Mizo fighters in Hmuntlang. On January 30, 1967, two jet fighters bombed Hmuntlang village, destroying the church building and scattering the Hmuntlang UPC believers to various regions.

Formation of Khawngbawk Local UPC from Hmuntlang UPC : From the church’s inception, UPC members from Khawngbawk had worshipped alongside Hmuntlang at their sanctuary. By 1964, Khawngbawk grew to 20 households with a rising UPC membership. Due to the physical distance between the settlements, Khawngbawk members petitioned the Church Board to establish an independent local church. The Hmuntlang Local Church Board granted approval, and in 1964, ‘Khawngbawk UPC’ was formed with 40 charter members.

However, when Hmuntlang was bombed during the Mizoram insurgency and residents were forcibly grouped at Haulawng by Indian troops, Khawngbawk was simultaneously occupied as a military encampment, leading to its complete abandonment and dispersal.

Re-establishment of the Church After Resettlement : As conditions stabilized, the Mizoram government issued resettlement orders allowing displaced villagers to return home, prompting several families to return to Hmuntlang in 1974.

Among those returning were around 40 UPC members across several families. Prior to constructing a new sanctuary, they held services at the home of Pu C. Zonghinga. In the same year, Section Pastor Rev. Hrangchhina reorganized the leadership to re-establish regular church administration. The post-resettlement leaders were:

• Chairman : Elder C. Zonghinga
• Secretary : Tv. Hrangdailova
• Treasurer : Rbt. Biakhnuna

Rebuilding the Sanctuary : As time progressed, Baptist Elder C. Thanzama of Hmuntlang prepared to relocate to Lunglei Venghlun. The UPC congregation purchased his house for Rs. 40/-, dismantled it completely, salvaged all reusable timber, and constructed their second church building at the current site in 1975.

3rd Church Building : While using the second structure, the congregation of 33 members persistently raised funds to construct a third sanctuary. Upon completion, Section Pastor Rodawla officially dedicated and opened the new sanctuary to God on March 21, 1982, marked by a festive feast.

4th Church Building : Over the years, necessary repairs were carried out on the building. In 2004, heavy windstorms damaged the structure, prompting plans for a new building. Construction of an Assam-type sanctuary was completed in 2007. On October 10, 2020, Rev. C. Darkhuma officially dedicated and opened the sanctuary, accompanied by a joyous community feast.

5th Church Building : As the existing building aged, efforts commenced to construct the fifth church sanctuary in Hmuntlang's history. The congregation is actively raising funds, aiming with God's guidance to rebuild a modern sanctuary for its 42 members.

CURRENT STATUS AND BOARD (2025)

Current Membership (2025) : As of 2025, the local church comprises 39 total members across 9 households.

2025-2026 Local Church Board :

• Chairman : Elder R. Lalengzauva
• Vice Chairman :
• Secretary : Rbt. C. Lalmuanpuii
• Assistant Secretary :
• Treasurer : Elder Saisiama
• Statistician : Rbt. Lalthansangi