Our History
God has always been at work in Bangladesh. In His grace, He invited Association of Baptists to join His work here.
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1957In 1957, AOB’s first team members arrived in East Pakistan and settled in Chattogram city. They surveyed and purchased land in the Hill Tracts then built several homes and a clinic there. Seeing needs, they later established a boarding school for tribal children, Bible school, and conference center. Three of the members of that initial team died suddenly, but God’s work continued. Later, all expatriates had to leave the Hill Tracts, yet God’s work has not stopped. The Bangladesh Tribal Association of Baptist Churches now operates those programs as well as more outreach and education centers across the hills. -
1964In 1964, one of our team members developed a Bangla language-learning curriculum for all expatriate workers. That material has been the springboard into proficient communication for hundreds of newcomers.
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1966Meanwhile, the Bangladesh government granted AOB 25 acres of land for establishing Memorial Christian Hospital. In 1966, the hospital was dedicated to the glory of God, for providing Bangladeshis health and hope. That same year, Memorial Christian School opened, providing quality education for children of hospital staff and the surrounding community.
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1966In 1966, team members began Bible translation into common language Bangla; the entire Bible was published in 1998. That has become the base of translations into several other languages. In 1969, AOB established Literature Division; our literature team has produced more than 300 titles, including health teaching and literacy curriculum.
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1966In 1966 many children attended AOB’s first youth camp. During the 1970’s, land was purchased for a permanent camp and conference facility. Each year several camps welcome students of all ages. Also in the 1970’s, the AWANA youth program began, developed culture-appropriate curriculum, and has grown to encompass the Indian sub-continent.
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1972During times of disaster, AOB has offered emergency relief. In 1972 after the War for Independence, food was distributed. A team from America partnered with AOB, rebuilding or repairing 10,000 homes that had been destroyed during the war. After 1991’s cyclone, which killed more than 100,000 people, AOB provided food and clothing to victims. With government approval, we continue to respond to those who are harmed by disaster. War widows and disabled people came to our hospital during and after the war. That brought about the launch of Heart House Handicrafts. It is a rehabilitation project that trains at-risk people in handcrafts and tailoring, so they can financially support themselves.
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1979In 1979, AOB’s medical team established the Hospital Orthopedic Patient Enablement (HOPE) fund. Financial aid helped wounded veterans who needed extensive care. At the same time, our physical therapist established a Limb and Brace department; the team manufactures prostheses for amputees.
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1981In 1981, several AOB teachers established Baptist Bible College of Bangladesh with 2 campuses. Studying there, Christians receive Bible training and practical service opportunities. Those who have graduated from BBCB now pastor local churches, and teach and direct several ministries.
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1980s and 1990sThrough the 1980’s and 90’s, many Bangladeshi leaders shared their vision for ministry, so we gratefully gave them leadership in administration, media production; formal, non-formal, and theological education; agriculture, and more. AOB teachers train teachers, and we’ve watched education centers, formal and non-formal, grow and multiply.
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2005Memorial Christian Hospital cannot care for all physical needs of our large district, so in 2005 God directed several of our nurses to begin training medical care-givers, and AOB established Memorial Christian College of Health Sciences. Permanent clinics now operate in outlying areas. Other MCCHS graduates work at our hospital. Traveling community health workers received training; now they care for medical needs and educate villagers in healthy living. When they reported malnutrition, one of our nurses studied agriculture, and AOB began an agriculture program.
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Since 2000Since the turn of the century, AOB has seen God provide for our needs through like-minded organizations and individuals. These partners have established scholarships for students, given training for farmers and grants for literature production, donated for building our new hospital and education centers, and joined us in completing translation projects.
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2018In 2018, 900,000 Rohingya refugees escaped Myanmar; our medical team partnered with Samaritan’s Purse nurses to offer trauma care.
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2020In 2020, Memorial Christian Hospital opened its new building’s doors, with new plans of offering health and hope.
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2020Despite COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns, internet has enabled ongoing programs, fellowship, and development. Silvernale Language School has increased in scope and size; in addition to classroom teaching, our teachers use Skype to tutor expatriates around the world. Literature Division continues strategic book production and marketing. Memorial Christian High School offers online classes. God is at work even during national lockdowns.
More to Come!
AOB’s team continues to see God work, and we gratefully adapt and join Him. As our Lord Jesus had served others – full of grace and truth- we seek to love our neighbors. We praise our Provider God for the great things He has done in Bangladesh. He Who began a good work will carry it on to completion. Opportunities abound. We wait in eager expectation for God to invite us into still more of His work. His mercies are new. The best is yet to come!
