TURA: Renowned member of the Tura Baptist Church, Rev Martin R Sangma, who served the Church and the people of Tura for many decades, has passed away at a hospital in Tura. He was 80. According to family members, Rev Sangma had suffered an acute stroke earlier on June 4 and was since hospitalised at the Tura Christian Hospital. He breathed his last at around 10:30 am on Sunday.
Rev Sangma, son of late Lothosing K Marak, grew up at Kasumari village of Nishangram. He lost his mother at an early age. He studied at Nokmakundi Lower Primary School and Nishangram Government Aided School from where he passed his High School Leaving certificate (HSLC) examination in 1964. Sangma, who dedicated his life to the lord from an early age passed his Bachelor of Divinity (BD) Degree from Senate of Serampore Theological College in 1978.
Sangma, who first came to Tura in 1972, served the A’chik Baptist Dal’gipa Krima (ABDK) in many disciplines. After serving as the Youth Secretary, headmaster of the A’chik Bible School, Mission Secretary and General Secretary, he was deputed by the same organization as the Lecturer of the Harding Theological College till his retirement on April 30, 2006.
Meanwhile, taking to Twitter on Sunday, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma condoled the death of Rev Sangma.
“Deeply saddened to learn about the demise of Rev Martin R Sangma. He was the former General Secretary of ABDK, which is the apex body of the Garo Baptist Church. Rev Martin was a God-fearing man who enriched the lives of many through his sermons. May his soul rest in peace,” the chief minister tweeted.