For the first time in Ao history, a community-wide call to repentance is being formally observed, as the Mokokchung Town Ao Baptist Church Mission (MTABCM) prepares to hold a two-day ‘Day of Repentance’ program on January 30 and 31, 2026, at Mokokchung.
The initiative, according to the organizers, was born out of a shared spiritual conviction among pastors across churches in Mokokchung town – what they described as a collective “urge” to pause, reflect, and seek reconciliation with God as a people.
“Poor, rich, irrespective of denominations, over ground, underground, civil society – every Ao, wherever you are, we welcome you to participate,” representatives of the MTABCM said while addressing the press.
The program will begin on January 30 at 5:00 pm at the Mokokchung Town Ao Baptist Church, while a community-wide fasting and prayer session has been scheduled from 6:00 am to 12:00 noon on January 31 at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex.
According to the organizers, the response so far has been overwhelmingly positive, with churches across the Ao community, all six ranges of Mokokchung district, and civil society organizations – including Ao Senden, Watsu Mungdang and Ao Kaketshir Mungdang – expressing support.
Invitations have also been extended to Ao legislators, politicians, Members of Parliament, and Naga National Workers from the Ao community.
“We want this to be heard by each and every Ao person, wherever they are,” the organizers said, adding that the program would be livestreamed on YouTube via @MTBA Mokokchung for those unable to attend physically.
The organizers said they are expecting between 7,000 and 8,000 participants from across Nagaland, making it one of the largest collective religious gatherings of the Ao community in recent times.
MTABCM representatives said the initiative stemmed from a deep sense of introspection within the Ao community itself.
“This has nothing to do with any other community. It is about the Ao people responding to what we believe God is calling us to do – repent, return, and come closer to Him,” they said.
Established 25 years ago, the MTABCM is a collective of ten Ao Baptist churches within Mokokchung town and has been involved in various mission activities, including running seven schools in Arunachal Pradesh. The mission also supports the education of children whose parents are pastors earning less than Rs 20,000 per month.
It may be noted that the Ao Nagas were the first among the Nagas to receive Christianity in 1872, from where the gospel spread across the Naga Hills.
The interview was given by Rev Puryapang, Pastor of Yimyu Baptist Church; Rev Ponen Longchar, Senior Pastor of Mokokchung Town Baptist Church (MTBA); and Dr Bendang Longkumer, Pastor of Artang Baptist Church.
