A Life of Faith and Service: Pr. PL Thlenga Chhakchhuak, PhD

February 15, 1965 – March 11, 2026

"May the life and ministry of Pastor PL Thlenga serve only to glorify God and lead others into His worship."

- The Chhakchhuak Family

February 1965

Born in Darkhai Village, Tonzang Township, Northern Chin State, Myanmar. He was the fourth of nine children born to Chalkapa Chhakchhuak and Darrothluaii.

Brief Highlights of His Life

1983-1988

Myanmar Union Adventist Seminary (Myaungmya): His cousin, Vanlaltuala, invited him to attend the seminary. It was here that he experienced a spiritual revival, accepted the truth of the Sabbath, and was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

1989-1990

Khampat, Myanmar: This was his first post after graduating from the seminary. In Khampat, he worked as both a school principal and a church pastor. During this time, he established a gospel team that traveled throughout the Tamu district conducting revival crusades. He also composed several songs during this period.

1990-1992

Champhai, Mizoram: Answering God's call to serve in Mizoram, he worked as an evangelist in Champhai. During this time, he met Vanlalruali and later married her on November 6, 1991.

1992-1993

Khawruhlian, Mizoram: Soon after marriage, they moved to the small village of Khawruhlian, where he continued to serve as an evangelist. During this time, they were blessed with their firstborn, Judson Lalrawngbawla Chhakchhuak. He named his son after Burma's first missionary, Adoniram Judson, reflecting his deep enthusiasm and high regard for missionaries.

1993-1998

Spicer Memorial College (Now known as Spicer Adventist University), Pune, India: While Judson was still an infant, his family moved to Pune to continue his studies. Over the next six years, he remarkably completed three degrees: a BA in Religion, an MA in Religion, and an MA in Political Science. It was also during this period, in 1996, that his second son, Andrews Lalfakawma Chhakchhuak, was born. During his time in Pune, he faced significant financial hardships. Studying without a mission sponsorship, he supported his education and his growing family with whatever work he could find, sometimes through manual labor. Yet, it was his unwavering faith that sustained him. Even when there seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel, his motto remained: "God will not forsake us, for He has guided us thus far; I will not go home without finishing my degree."

It was indeed his faith that sustained him; through God's grace, he successfully completed three degrees in the span of only six years. The memory of these difficult years at Spicer Adventist University serves as the primary motivation for establishing the PL Thlenga Scholarship Foundation. Having experienced the burden of pursuing a calling without financial sponsorship, Pastor Thlenga’s family desires is to ensure that other dedicated students will not have to face those same dark tunnels alone. This scholarship exists to be the "light" for those who have the faith to study but lack the means to pay.

1998-2000

Suangpuilawn, Mizoram: After graduating from Spicer, he was posted to the small village of Suangpuilawn. During this time, he was part of numerous "efforts" and "city crusades" in the capital, Aizawl, collaborating with local coworkers and international speakers alike.

2000-2005

Siaha, Mizoram: He was ordained as a pastor during his service in Siaha. Believing that education was the most effective missionary endeavor for the region, he joined with three families from the Siaha Adventist Church to establish the Adventist English Academy of Siaha, where he served as its first ever principal. Today, it has grown into one of the premier schools in the district, with an enrollment of more than 600 students.

2005-2006

Republic, Aizawl: After five successful years in Siaha, he was transferred to the capital, Aizawl, to serve as the Aizawl Circle Leader. In this role, he oversaw all the pastors, evangelists, and mission activities within the circle. During this period, he founded the "Harmagedon Revival Team". His team visited different churches every weekend to conduct revival camps. Their message centered on the love of God and righteousness through faith.

2006-2008

Seventh-day Tlang, Aizawl: With the success of the revival team in the Aizawl Circle, the Conference leadership appointed him as the Mizo Conference Evangelist. This role gave him the opportunity to serve wherever he was needed or invited. No longer bound to a single circle, he brought spiritual revival to cities, towns and villages throughout the Mizo Conference of SDA, reaching not only Mizoram but also the surrounding states.

The revival team’s efforts were accompanied by many miracles, including the healing of the sick and the casting out of demons. However, the proudest moment for Pastor Thlenga was witnessing the visible transformation of lives. He saw many drug addicts, alcoholics, and prostitutes transform their old lives for a new life in Christ. For him, these were the greatest miracles Christ performed through his ministry.

2008-2009

Tripura, India: After returning from California, USA, following his training in Public Health, he was transferred to Tripura as a Circle Leader. It was a calling he initially hesitated to accept; however, on the very first day he arrived in the region, he felt deeply impressed by God. He realized: "These are God’s people, deeply loved by Him. My family and I have been sent here to share His word and expand His Kingdom among a people so precious in His sight." He faithfully served the people of Tripura, building centers of influence and establishing mini-schools.

2009-2011

Lunglei, Mizoram: Moving back to Mizoram, he was appointed as a Lunglei circle leader.

2011-2012

Mizo Conference of SDA, Aizawl: After serving for several years as a leader in various circles, he was called to be the Youth Director and Publishing Director of the Conference. He held this position until he left to pursue further studies in the Philippines. During his tenure, he established the Mizo Conference Choir ministry, which remains a vibrant and influential ministry to this day.

2012-2016

Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS), Philippines: For four years, he returned to his studies and earned his PhD in Systematic Theology. Even while pursuing his doctorate, he remained deeply active in ministry, serving as the Student Association Chairperson for Religious Activities for one year. Additionally, during every academic break, he traveled across Asia including Myanmar, Malaysia, and India to conduct revival and evangelistic meetings.

2016-2022

Spicer Adventist University, Pune: After earning his doctorate, he was called to serve as a Professor of Theology at Spicer Adventist University. During his professorship, he taught and mentored many future theologians and religious leaders. While he was one of the students' favorite professors, his heart’s passion remained focused on being a pastor and preaching the Word of God. He felt that this, above all else, was his true calling.

2022-2026

Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA: When he first became a professor at Spicer, his prayer was: "Lord, you know that being a pastor is my calling; preaching Your Word is the talent You gave me. I do not need more than three years as a professor. Please provide a way for me to return to pastoral ministry in the future." This prayer was answered exactly three years later in 2020, when he received a call to serve as the pastor of the Tulsa Zomi Adventist Church. Pastor Thlenga felt strongly that this was the answer to his prayer and accepted the role. However, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, he was only able to join the congregation in person in 2022.

It was here that he served God and the church faithfully until his final moments. He drew his last breath doing exactly what he was called to do: serving as a shepherd who exemplified the character of Christ. Through his preaching, his leadership, and most importantly his actions, he became a living testament to the love of God. He passed away as he lived: a revivalist and a humble servant of the Kingdom. He truly earned the title he most cherished during his life:

Pastor P.L. Thlenga the Beloved

"We will truly miss you—our Apa, husband, friend, pastor, leader, and mentor. No one can ever truly fill the void you have left in our hearts. Yet, we do not weep as those without hope; we rise to carry forward the ministry you began, anchored forever in the love of God. Your passion did not cease when your breath did. It is said that a man only truly dies when he is forgotten. Pastor P.L. Thlenga, your legacy is eternal; for every heart you touched will always remember you, and your impact will never be forgotten."