Morung Express News
Wokha, October 28
In response to the recent resolution reportedly passed by the Lotha Baptist Ekhumkho Pastorden Sanrhyu (LBEPS), which prohibits Lotha Baptist women from marrying Roman Catholic men, the Lotha Baptist Churches Association (LBCA) has issued a clarification stating that it has “nothing to do with the resolution.”
Addressing media persons at the LBCA Mission Centre, Vankhosung, on October 28, LBCA Executive Secretary, Rev Nyanchumo Lotha, said that the LBEPS, also referred to as the Lotha Baptist Pastors’ Conference, belongs to a “breakaway church group” which is “unrecognised and unauthorised.”
“The LBCA, along with its constitutionally elected executive members, office bearers, and affiliated churches, does not endorse the resolution,” Rev Lotha asserted, adding that the association “will not abide by the diktat of the so-called Lotha Pastors’ Conference of the breakaway Baptist group.”
He emphasised that the said conference was convened without the mandate of the LBCA and, therefore, holds no legitimacy.
Rev Lotha further informed that the annual LBCA Pastors’ Conference— a regular calendar event—was originally scheduled to be held at Old Ralan Baptist Church on October 25–26, 2025. However, due to “obstructions created by the unrecognised group,” the venue had to be shifted to Totsü Baptist Church, where the conference was successfully conducted as planned.
He revealed that it was during the parallel conference organised by the breakaway group that the controversial resolution originated.
“The so-called breakaway group cannot be regarded as part of the Baptist denomination as it functions independently without the authorisation of the LBCA,” Rev Lotha clarified.
He concluded by reiterating that the LBEPS is merely a fellowship body and, as such, does not possess the authority to form committees or pass resolutions without the consent of the LBCA headquarters at Vankhosung.
