Unpacking the Lairam Isua Krista Baptist Church (LIKBK)

This qualitative study examines the birth and evolution of the Lairam Isua Krista Baptist Church (LIKBK), an ethnically based church founded by the Lai community in the northeast corner of India. The research argues that Christianity, beyond its religious teachings, can be seen as a long struggle for identity and empowerment, akin to an ethno-religious movement. The study investigates the causes, stages, ideology and role of great leadership and the nature and outcomes of the LIKBK movement, thereby revealing a trend in the reform movement that has brought significant cultural, socio-economic and political transformations to the Lai community. The findings conclude that the LIKBK is an operative ethno-religious movement that has positively impacted the Lai community, promoting empowerment and reform.