Morung Express news
Dimapur | May 8
People have been sceptical about Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) involving bureaucrats and entrepreneurs during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Kohima, which concluded recently. However, the General Secretary of NBCC Rev. Dr. L Anjo Keikung said: “We selected them as church members and not because they are government officials or businessmen.” The reverend stated this while addressing the gathering at NBCC Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving Service held today, May 8, at Nagaland Mission Movement building in Dimapur.
He said: “Unless we use members from different backgrounds, our church will never grow.” He disclosed that members from other Christian denominations also took part during the jubilee, stating that the architect who designed the jubilee venue is a Roman Catholic. “...we need people from other denominations too.”
He also mentioned that when NBCC approached Alemtemshi IAS to be the coordinator for the jubilee, at first he refused and later said he will think about it prayerfully. After several months he agreed and said: “...may be through this involvement, I and my family will grow closer to God.”
On people’s donation, He also said: “We never asked, but donations came in and some we even refused.” Adding that the food arrangement for the delegates from outside Nagaland and abroad were generously donated by about 10 families.
Also, the Angami Public organisation supplied water and Kohima Youth Organisation took control of “unwanted elements”, preventing untoward incidents, of which they were successful. He also said during the three-day programme in Kohima, traffic was managed brilliantly although it had high vehicular movements.
Sanitation was managed so well that not even a piece of paper was left on the venue after the event concluded. On stewardship, he also said the delegates were so impressed that some even said they have “never seen in any country where people welcome you to the toilets.”
Relating to the mass cleanliness drive before the jubilee, the general secretary said sanitation works will continue the same in Kohima town, adding that the Chakhesang Baptist Church Kohima had recently cleaned the Kohima Hospital area.
Interestingly, Rev Anjo also narrated about Governor’s perception on church leaders’ attires. The Governor Nikhil Kumar assumed that all church leaders wear white gowns. However, Rev Anjo clarified to him that church leaders wear cloaks or gowns only when performing certain religious ceremonies but outside the church they are a commoner like anyone. “...we want to be equal with the people.”
Moreover, the reverend said NBCC has planned for “twin crusades” in Dimapur and Kohima next year, 2013.
In regard to NBCC resolutions, Rev Dr W Lohe said that it is a “perfect resolution” in print but he feels something is lacking, stating that the main goal of the church is winning souls and in the resolution it was “little untouched (sic).”
Agreeing with Rev Anjo’s statement on “using government officials and businessmen”, today’s speaker, Rev Dr P Dozo said: “Church belongs to everyone.” Adding that it was the “Holy Spirit” who used the hearts of the “laypeople” to help or give donation.
Concerning the future of NBCC, he said: “We have celebrated platinum jubilee, now we have to look to the future for winning souls.” He said Nagaland is situated in such a strategic location; it is in a geo-political centre – surrounded by China and Myanmar and the church should make use of the location.
He also said that may be after 25 years the church will be known as a holistic centre for youth. Christian missions as social science and pastors or church leaders as social scientists. Also, Christianity will be acknowledged as a global family and denominations as family of God so that it does not create differences. However, he said, the world may change every day but the “Bible, the word of God”, remains the same.
Meanwhile, after the service, Rev Anjo dedicated the new Nagaland Mission Movement (NMM) office in the presence of NBCC and NMM officials.
