The North East India Christian Council (NEICC) has appointed Rev. Dr. Meyu Changkiri as its General Secretary for the term 2026-2030. With this appointment, Rev. Dr. Changkiri becomes the first Naga to serve as the full-time General Secretary of NEICC since the Council’s formation in 1937.
Rev. Dr. Changkiri currently serves as the Pastor of Ao Baptist Arogo, Shillong, where he has faithfully ministered for the past 18 years. During his pastoral tenure, he has been actively involved in preaching, teaching, mentoring, and strengthening the spiritual life of the church community.
Rev. Dr. Changkiri is also engaged in theological education and Christian leadership within the region. He serves as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of Clark Theological College, Aolijen, Mokokchung, is a member of the NEICC Trust Management Committee, and serves as the Treasurer of Serving in Mission (North East India), part of Serving in Mission (SIM), an international interdenominational evangelical mission agency.
Rev. Dr. Changkiri will be formally installed during the 5th Biennial Assembly of NEICC, to be hosted by the Garo Baptist Convention at Resubelpara near Tura, Meghalaya, from May 21–24, 2026. The formal handing over of charge is scheduled for July 1, 2026.
The North East India Christian Council traces its origin to the formation of the Assam Christian Council in Shillong in 1937. It was established by church leaders and mission organizations in the region to strengthen Christian fellowship and cooperation. Over the years, NEICC has also contributed to education and peace-building initiatives in the region.
In 1952, the Council established Union Christian College (UCC) at Barapani, Meghalaya, which today serves more than a thousand students in Arts, Commerce, and Science streams in a co-educational residential setting. In 2016, the Council also opened UCC Higher Secondary School offering classes from Nursery to Class XII. More recently, the Peace Centre has been functioning as a platform for research, documentation, and training on issues of peace, reconciliation, and social engagement in the Northeast.
NEICC brings together a wide fellowship of churches and Christian organizations across Northeast India, comprising 37 member churches and 18 associate units. These include Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, evangelical, and other Protestant traditions from Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura. Among its member bodies are Baptist organizations such as the Nagaland Baptist Church Council and the Council of Baptist Churches in North East India.
While member churches retain their distinct denominational identities, NEICC serves as a platform for consultation, cooperation, and common Christian witness in the region. The Council is affiliated with the National Council of Churches in India.