Mokokchung Times News | Impur | November 1
Celebrating 150 years of Christianity in Naga Hills, Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM) is organizing the Sesquicentennial celebrations (1872-2022) under the theme, ‘To God be the glory’ from 1-3 November at Centennial Hall, Impur Mission Centre.
The speakers for the three-day sesquicentennial celebrations are: Rev. Watson Rajaratnam, Regional Director, Serving In Mission (SIM), East Asia, Singapore; Rev. Prof. Dr. Limatula Longkümer, Registrar, Senate of Serampore College (University) and Rev. Prof. Dr. Mar Pongener, Executive Secretary, ABAM Impur.
During the inaugural program of the Sesquicentennial celebrations on the evening of November 1, Rev. Watson Rajaratnam, Regional Director, SIM, East Asia, Singapore spoke on the topic “This is the Lord’s doing” from Psalm 118:23 and stated that ABAM exists today because of God’s amazing grace. In this regard, he said, “We are going to be the testimonies of God’s existence,” and continued, “We are here now, 150 years later, to worship the living God and give him all glory.” He appealed Christians to be testimonials and witnesses of God’s amazing grace.
The speaker went on to praise the first missionary to Naga Hills, Rev. Dr. Edward Winter Clark and his wife Mary Mead, as well as Godhula Brown, the first evangelist to NagaHills, for laying the foundation of Christianity for the Aos at Molungkimong under Mokokchung District on 22nd December 1972. “We must not forget the sacrifices and challenges made by our forefathers in bringing Christianity to Naga Hills,” he said, adding that “God has been working among us, and the best is yet to come.” He said that the growth of churches and the believers in Nagaland is beyond expectation and this testifies that God is at work. Nagaland Baptist Church Council has 20 Constituent Member Associations, 4 Associate Members, 1710 Churches and 7, 22,781 Baptized members, he informed.
The Reverend also emphasized to the congregation that even though we worship God to glorify and praise him through songs and testimonies, if our love, gratitude, and understanding of who God is are not the driving force behind our worship, then we are not truly worshipping him. Thus, he counseled that we should sincerely thank and remember Him each and every day of our lives.
During his exhortation, Rev. Dr. L. Kari Longchar, former Executive Secretary ABAM, stated that Jubilee was a time to seek forgiveness from sins, transformation, and blessings from the Lord.
He went on to say that Jubilee was also a time to cleanse the church and reinvigorate the Lord’s teachings to those who have yet to accept Christ as their saviour.
Earlier, Biren Gowalla, Pastor, Central Baptist Church Sivasagar and Rev. Dr. W. Along Jamir, Translation Director, BSI Bangalore shared brief greeting messages while Rev. L.Yapang Mollier, Secretary, Church &Mission, ABAM Impur gave a brief exhortation on the remembrance and tribute of the death.
The celebration also witnessed L. Bendangla Jamir, Former Secretary, ABTM release the 150 years Jubilee souvenir book.
The program was chaired by Rev. Dr. Meyu Changkiri, Pastor, Ao Baptist Arogo Shillong while Rev. Sentisashi Aier, President ABAM delivered the welcome address. Rev. K. Temjen Longchar, Pastor Khensa Baptist Arogo pronounced invocation prayer while Rev. Prof. Dr. Mar Pongener, Executive Secretary, ABAM Impur led the introduction of the congregation. Dr.S.J. Akhum, Executive Secretary, Yimkhiung Baptist Borü Amukhungto (YBBA), Shamator pronounced the benediction.
The inaugural celebrations was graced with the euphoric melodies and drama from Changtongya Town Baptist Arogo (Youth Ministry), Mokokchung Town Baptist Arogo, ABAM Choir and Baptist Church of Mizoram Choir.
ABAM as of 2022 has 1, 24,697 Baptized members with 10 fellowships and 166 Churches, Rev L Yapang Mollier, Secretary, Church & Mission, ABAM, Impur informed.
Also read: ABAM Sesquicentennial Celebration: Day One