The director of Baptist World Aid, relief-and-development arm of the Baptist World Alliance, stepped down March 16 after three-and-a-half years on the job, according to a news release.
Rothangliani Rema Chhangte upon her election in 2012.
Rothangliani Rema Chhangte, former liaison for Burmese refugees with American Baptist Home Mission Societies, joined the BWA Aug. 1, 2012, following the July retirement of British-born Paul Montacute, who held the post for 20 years.
In recent years a number of Baptist World Aid partners have questioned the agency’s effectiveness. In 2015 a new Baptist Relief and Development Network coordinated through a desk in the United Kingdom responded to disasters in Vanuatu and Nepal with a combined $2 million.
Baptist World Alliance General Secretary Neville Callam voiced concerns about the new group at the recent BWA Executive Committee meeting March 6-9 in Falls Church, Va., and treasurer Carolyn Fossen said drawing from the same donor pool was “causing a tremendous financial impact” on Baptist World Aid.
BReaD, an acronym for Baptist Relief and Development, was reportedly envisioned as an alternative or supplement to BWAid as early as 2008.
A task force appointed to study how the Baptist World Alliance should relate to BReaD said the two groups were at an impasse, with the BWA wanting BReaD to slow down its development and BReaD asking for recognition by the BWA.
The press release does not say if Chhangte’s decision to resign is related to the dispute. It quoted her letter to Callam saying it was a “pleasure” to work there and that she found it a “rewarding and impactful ministry.”
Callam said Chhangte, who is originally from India, “leaves BWAid in a stronger position than she found it.”