EVERY May 7, the hills of Southern Manipur resonate with deep gratitude as communities celebrate Missionary Day. While Christianity first reached the north through William Pettigrew (1869-1943) in 1894, the southern story is a distinct journey of faith that began with a mysterious booklet. In 1910, Rev. Watkin Roberts (1886-1969), a young Welshman stationed in Aizawl, received a handwritten letter from Kamkholun, the Chief of Senvon. The Chief had received a copy of the Gospel of John in the Lushai dialect but could not understand its message. This simple request for an explanation sparked a spiritual revolution that would eventually reach every corner of the southern hills.
The journey of the Gospel was carried on the shoulders of local pioneers who served as a bridge between two worlds. Roberts travelled to the remote village of Senvon accompanied by two dedicated tribal students, Lungpau and Thangkai. Travelling on foot through dense jungles and steep mountains, these young men faced immense physical exhaustion. It was during their return journey to Aizawl that Lungpau (1882-1984) and Thangkai (1891-1969) decided to commit their lives to the faith and were baptized. Their conversion was a vital turning point, proving that the message was taking root in local hearts and was ready to be shared by the people themselves.
The official birth of the mission in the south took place on May 7, 1910. After receiving permission from the British authorities, Roberts sent a team of volunteers back to the hills. Upon crossing the Tuivai River with the help of local Meitei bamboo cutters, the trio of missionaries - Savawma (1879-1974), Thangchhingpuia (1879-1954) and Vanzika (1884-1952) - paused on the riverbank to pray and sing, “O God we thank you for your Gospel.” Soon after they entered Senvon, the message spread like wildfire. What began as a small gathering soon blossomed into a widespread mission that introduced healthcare, established schools, and developed written scripts for local languages, helping the tribal people navigate the modern world with dignity.
Looking back, the legacy of May 7 reminds us that the greatest changes often start with small, brave steps. It teaches us that genuine service requires both a vision and the willingness to walk the long road together. The mission did more than change religious beliefs; it empowered a community through literacy, leadership, and a shared sense of hope. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” - Romans 10:15 (NRSV). For us today, progress is most meaningful when it is rooted in compassion and shared through partnership. As we reflect on the beauty of those who bring “good news,” let us be inspired to build our own bridges of kindness and education, ensuring that no community is left in the dark and that peace, prosperity, and oneness prevail as we choose to be harbingers of light.
~ Zogam Today | Editorial | 07.05.2026
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