India Baptist Summit calls for ‘Oneness’ in diversity

Youth choir from Nagaland representing Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) performs at the Indian Baptist Summit 2019 at Hyderabad.

'The division, differences and disunity among Baptist family is the cross we ought to carry' – Rev Dr Wati Aier

Morung Express News

Dimapur | October 5

The three-day India Baptist Summit 2019 organised by Indian Mission Co-operation Committee (IMCC) is underway at Hyderabad, Telangana under the theme ‘that they all maybe one’ (John 17:21). 

The India Baptist Summit 2019 is a follow up of Indian Baptist Summit 2014 held at Kohima, organised to refresh the vision and address the changing socio-religious and political context of Indian society. The Summit is organized with “an enlarged mission to empower women, motivate youth and fight against the human trafficking.”

During the inaugural function, Rev Samaresh Nayak, General Secretary of Bengal-Orissa-Bihar Baptists’ Churches Association and coordinator of India Mission Coordination Committee (IMCC) emphasized on the vision, mission and purpose of the Summit. He urged the leaders present from different conventions and associations churches that, “together we can do much more in great potentialities in the midst of diversities.” 

Delivering keynote address on the topic, “Oneness in God head and humanity”, Rev Dr Wati Aier, Emeritus Professor, Oriental Theological Seminary (OTS), Dimapur shared on “the means, signs and sources of the one of humanity, unity in diversity and unity among believers.”

While stating that “the nearer we come close to Christ, the nearer we are close to each other,” Dr Wati said, “We should be sure that God invites to fellowship to experience the liberation of Christ in us.”

According to a press release issued by the organisers, Dr Wati observed in his address that “Baptist from all states and nations are walking on parallel paths but never recognise each other. This is the reason why Baptist Summit 2019 was organized.” 

He said that “each one’s identity has to be permeable because we are called to be permeable, to be expressive, recognize, and identify.”

“The division, differences and disunity among the Baptist family is our cross that we ought to carry. We are justified by Christ’s grace. The cross of Christ invites the divided brothers and sisters. Let us experience the invitation of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and feel the oneness,” he concluded. 

Some of the core highlights of the summit includes: Presentations on the ongoing work among the women, youth, anti-human trafficking and justice for all- presentations of case studies and the challenges facing churches; Workshops on the ongoing concerns with inviting experts in their respective areas for enriching and involving the participants in further engagements; Relevant Bible Studies to the theme and related sub-themes; Exhortation from God’s Word in the general sessions in the evenings and mornings for Inspiration, opportunities and challenges from the partner presentations; Cultural presentations, Exhibitions and Regional stalls for the exchange of ideas and bring harmony among the participants; Summit Resolutions and opportunities for Follow-up and others.

According to the information available in the indiabaptistsummit2019 website, special sessions will also deliberate on “Mission of the Church in the Post Modern India” and “Christian Apologetics in the Contemporary Indian Context.”

Over 1200 delegates, inclusive of national and international delegates and around 80 from Nagaland are attending the summit which will conclude on October 6 (Sunday).