The 5th Ao Baptist Churches Outside Nagaland Fellowship (NAAABAT) Meet was held from March 6 to 8 at the South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS), Bengaluru. The gathering was hosted by the Bengaluru Ao Baptist Fellowship (BABF).
Thirty five members from five Ao Baptist churches outside Nagaland attended the meet, each represented by their respective pastors. The participating churches included Ao Baptist Arogo Shillong (ABAS), Ao Baptist Church Guwahati (ABCG), Bengaluru Ao Baptist Fellowship (BABF), Delhi Ao Baptist Church (DABC), and Jorhat Ao Baptist Arogo (JABA).
The meeting was based on the theme, “Remodelling Ministry of the Church.” Several seminar sessions were presented and discussed during the programme. Imkongmeren Imchen, Associate Pastor of Delhi Ao Baptist Church, presented a paper on “Remodelling Ministry Towards the In-Laws.” Dr. Lanuwapang Imchen, Deacon of Ao Baptist Arogo Shillong, presented on “Remodelling Family Ministry in the Church,” while Rev. Dr. Toshirenba, Deacon of Ao Baptist Church Guwahati, delivered a session on “Remodelling Youth Ministry in the Church.” The presentations generated meaningful discussions among the participants.
Participants also reflected on ministerial challenges faced by churches in urban contexts and deliberated on the future direction of Ao Baptist churches outside Nagaland. During the gathering, the life and contributions of late Rev. Dr. Alemrenba, former Pastor of Delhi Ao Baptist Church, were remembered with gratitude.
The Sunday Devotional Service was led by C. Obanglemla of Delhi Ao Baptist Church as the service leader, while young Ao students in Bengaluru led the praise and worship. On the occasion of International Women’s Day, a special prayer for women was offered by Rev. Dr. Meyu Changkiri, Pastor of Ao Baptist Arogo Shillong.
Rev. Dr. Aowabang Ozüküm, Pastor of Ao Baptist Church Guwahati, delivered the exhortation. Special songs were presented by the womenfolk of Bengaluru, the NAAABAT group, and the Male Voice of Bengaluru. The Word of God was shared by Imli P. Lemtur, Pastor of Jorhat Ao Baptist Arogo, on the theme “Remodelling Church Ministry.”
