On 26 September 1867, the pioneers of the Santal Mission knelt by a stone in the middle of the mission compound of Benagaria and dedicated their lives to serve the Lord among the people of India. That was 145 years ago and the stone is still there. Pastor Hans Borresen of Denmark and a Norwegian linguist named Lars Skrefsrud came in their wanderings to Benagaria and found a nice place that would be suitable for a mission station. They set about learning the Santali language and witnessed to the people. Two years later, in 1869, the first believers were baptized.
Today the Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church (NELC) numbers about 85,000 members, and they are scattered from 225 miles northwest of Kolkata up 700 miles to the north in the states of West Bengal and Assam. The first bishop of the church was ordained on April 20, 1958, when Bishop M. M. Tudu was installed. The church is divided into five dioceses: three working among the Santal people, one among the Boros, and one among the Bengali people. People continue to be added to the church. In 2011, the latest date for figures, there were 1,863 children baptized and 954 from among the non-Christians. There are 582 congregations, the largest being 2,915 members and the smallest 9 members. There are 76 active pastors, 14 retired pastors and 13 deacons.
In addition to the educational institutions there are three Bible schools, one seminary and three hospitals. In early days there were two leprosy colonies, but these have been turned over to the Leprosy Mission for administration. Youth are trained at Bible schools for work among the youth in the congregations. There is also a radio ministry, which has been a tremendous blessing to the church and brought many new people to faith. Powerful daily witness continues to be carried out by faithful Christians in their villages…
Naomi Torkelson served with the Santal Mission from 1952-1992. Now retired and living in rural Iowa, Naomi serves as the Santal Representative to our Home Council.