Correspondent
Veteran Naga politician and former governor and chief minister, Dr. S.C. Jamir, on Wednesday said that Nagaland today was standing at crossroads undecided which road it would take.
Speaking at the sesquicentennial celebration of Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM) at Imur, Padma Bhushan Dr. Jamir, said that now was the right time for the people to retrospect and look towards the future.
He said that Naga forefathers believed in simplicity, but wondered whether the Naga Christians today have the “face of Christ amongst us” and called upon all to ponder.
Further, Dr. Jamir lamented Nagas today have replicated the tower of Babel and the broken walls of Jerusalem. Dr. Jamir said that there was “a terrible confusion” prevailing in Nagaland because “we have snapped our relationship with God.”
He recalled that the pioneers of Christian faith among the Ao people did everything in “truth and with full faith in God.” He said if Aos lived their life and prayed with all sincerity, Nagaland would have been transformed into a paradise.”
In olden times, he said Nagas imagined for a great Naga nation, but along the way they have forgotten God. With the celebration of 150 years of Christianity in the land, he said all should pray for the destruction of the tower of Babel. Dr. Jamir also called for unity amongst the Naga brethren through this celebration and build a better relationship with God.
NBCC general secretary Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho began his Jubilee by addressing Impur as “the Jerusalem of the Nagas.” He reminded the gathering that “accepting Christ 150 years ago is a story of courage and determination. We remember the persecution and sufferings for those who stood their grounds becoming a part of our story.” Dr Keyho went on to say that “we are what we are today because of the Gospel that came to our land.” Furthermore, he challenged ABAM to “go before us and lead us, be behind us and push us… because together we are stronger.”
Bringing greetings to the SQC participants, ABAM’s former executive secretary Rev. O. Alem said that the celebration was an affirmation of the “good relationship that exist between God and human beings, and between believers.” Rev.Alem stated that the essence of Jubilee lay in “seeking of forgiveness and the restoration of right relationship between God and neighbors.”
Advisor industries and commerce, Imnatiba, read out the chief minister’s message on behalf of the Nagaland Legislatures Fellowship and further conveyed the SQC greetings.
Also, speaking at the service, Arunachal Baptist Church Council (ABCC) general secretary Rev. Tugaso Manyu requested ABAM for the second phase of the mission and human resource development in Arunachal. He stated that the harvest was plenty but very few workers for the harvest.
In the first phase, Rev Manyu said ABAM helped setting up churches in Arunachal.
Serving Mission, East Asia regional director Rev. Watson Rajaratnam, delivered the sermon on the topic “To God be the Glory” Galatians 1-5 while Rev. Prof. Dr. Limatula Longkümer Registrar, Senate of Serampore College (University) delivered sermon on the theme “His steadfast love endures forever” (Psalms 100:5).
Ao Senden president Chubawati Longchar, called upon the delegates to “forgive one another and seek God’s wisdom as we celebrate the SQC and go out to the rest of the world with the Word of God.”
Meanwhile, special songs were presented by Clark Theological College choir and the special invitee choir for SQC, the Baptist Church of Mizoram choir.
Highlights of day two included praise and worship by Indisen Baptist Arogo (Youth Ministry); “Homecoming celebration” comprising special presentation from more than 15 groups including Phom, Lotha, Sangtam, Sumi and Nocte Baptist Associations; Samro, Ao Naga Choir, Delhi, and the Dreamz Unlimited team representing Aoyimti Baptist Church. The Jilushi Sayaba Mapang: Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo.
The second day celebration received a total of 2961 officially registered participants. ABAM SQC 150 Album was released by ABAM’s former secretary, literature and education Rev. C. Walu Walling. The second day celebration concluded with the screening of a powerful pageant-montage documentary produced by the Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo.
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Launched on December 3, 1990. Nagaland Post is the first and highest circulated newspaper of Nagaland state. Nagaland Post is also the first newspaper in Nagaland to be published in multi-colour.
