Wakching, Mon, witnessed a historic tribute on November 20, 2025, as the Konyak Baptist Bumeinok Bangjüm unveiled a commemorative monolith honoring Rev Longri Ao, the first missionary officially sent to Konyak land by the Council of Baptist Churches in Assam (now CBCNEI) in 1950. The ceremony coincided with the church’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, marking seventy-five years of God’s enduring grace across Konyak villages.
According to an update received here, Rev Longri Ao arrived at a time when lingering fears and inter-village tensions still haunted the communities, decades after the British Government restricted headhunting in 1913. Guided by animistic practices and the worship of local spirits, villages such as Tamlu, Kongan, Wanching, Wakching, Pongkong, Oring, Lapa, and Chingphoi had already received early evangelists who laid the groundwork for the missionary’s transformative ministry.
Serving from 1950 to 1967, Rev Longri Ao helped reshape the spiritual, cultural, and social landscape of Konyak land. His ministry strengthened Christian faith, fostered reconciliation among communities, and expanded upon the foundation set by the Ao Mungdang (now ABAM).
The memorial was unveiled and prayerfully dedicated by Rev L Metjen Konyak, Executive Secretary of the Konyak Baptist Bumeinok Bangjüm, who described it as “a lasting testament to God’s love and the courage of a missionary who trusted fully in God’s call.” Church leaders, elders, youth, and community members gathered to reflect on the remarkable transformation from a headhunting society to a thriving Christian community—one of the region’s most powerful stories.
“As we celebrate seventy-five years of God’s grace, we reaffirm our commitment to serve with humility, unity, and renewed dedication to the mission of Christ,” Rev Metjen added.
