Freshers present a worship song during the 14th Freshers social of NLBC on Tuesday, August 9. (Morung Photo)
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 9 (MExN): New Life Bible College (NLBC), Dimapur celebrated its 14th Freshers Day on Tuesday, August 9. Themed: ‘Dare to soar’, the occasion had the editor of The Morung Express, Along Longkumer as the chief guest.
“I have great respect for the Christian ministry in Nagaland because I know they are doing some very important work and most of the time in difficult circumstances,” said Longkumer addressing the gathering. To be in Church ministry, he said is not something easy which involves a lot of sacrifices even forgoing many of the good things in life. “…I am both inspired and also hopeful that we are grooming and preparing young people for the challenges that lie ahead.”
‘The Church is the common bond that gives us a singular identity’
The Church in Nagaland is the main foundation around which everything else seems to revolve around. “So the Church is almost like the common bond that gives us a singular identity as a people and nation,” he said while adding, “This is where all of you come in.” “So my question is how theological colleges or its students can help in strengthening the institution of the Church and making it responsive to the needs and problems of our society.”
To further strengthen “our institutions” (whether Church or government), the youth have a role to play, who must be given fair and equal opportunity, he said. One peculiar thing he noticed about Naga tradition in particular is that “our elders, they seem somewhat reluctant to give leadership responsibility to the upcoming younger generation.” Despite the young people are capable, he added. In this aspect, he commended NLBC for giving opportunity to a young person to head the college as the principal. Pusuinla Longkumer is the principal of the college.
While acknowledging the problem of indiscipline among the youth, he said that educational institutes whether theological or secular have the important responsibility to prepare youth in a way that they become useful citizens. “I have this theory that a good citizen is someone who is also a role model Christian.” Everyday words like peace, love, honesty, hard work, humility, accountability etc are all found in the teachings of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, “we tend to underestimate the value of the Bible and its teaching” though one may profess to be Christian.
He mentioned Abraham Lincoln, referring him as one of the most admired statesmen the world has ever seen. “He was theological but not religious” .Branded as a “scoffer” of religion by his opponents for not being part of a church, but, he read the Bible. He was a crusading visionary and a farsighted man, who was responsible for emancipating slaves in America. “He was able to do this because he had certain ethics that helped and guided him.”
The Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi was also greatly influenced by the New Testament, who applied many of the Christians principles to tackle the problems of his generation just as Abraham Lincoln did in his times. “It is somewhat of a paradox that Nagas we proclaim Nagaland for Christ and yet we have failed to apply the Christian principles. And as a result we are faced with the danger of becoming a failed society.”
“Only God and Education can save the Nagas”, he said quoting Rev Dr Tuisem Shishak — a Christian educationist, who is widely admired for his work among the Nagas, and the founder of Patkai Christian College.
As a society which boasts itself of being a Christian State, “If our State and its people are to be happy, prosperous and peaceful then we must return to the roots of our fellowship with God. To state it plainly, our church, our politics, our development and our governance must be Christ centred. We need to apply the Christian values and thinking into our everyday lives wherever we are and in whichever vocation or work we are in.”
To the students, he said: “Being theological students much will be expected out of you. You will have an important role to play in educating the masses with simple yet profound moral lessons of teaching what is right from wrong, respect for life, respect for the rule of law, respect for differences, promoting dialogue and understanding, propagating the message of forgiveness and reconciliation. And isn’t these biblical values the need of the hour in our society where corruption and violence has become the order of the day.” “Let us be known as the Christians who were instrumental in bringing about the reform and change that our society desperately yearns for.”
Founder / director of NLBC, Rev. Dr. Xashepu Wotsa in his welcome address informed that the college admitted 102 new students this year. The principal, Pusuinla Longkumer also addressed the gathering.
“I have great respect for the Christian ministry in Nagaland because I know they are doing some very important work and most of the time in difficult circumstances,” said Longkumer addressing the gathering. To be in Church ministry, he said is not something easy which involves a lot of sacrifices even forgoing many of the good things in life. “…I am both inspired and also hopeful that we are grooming and preparing young people for the challenges that lie ahead.”
‘The Church is the common bond that gives us a singular identity’
The Church in Nagaland is the main foundation around which everything else seems to revolve around. “So the Church is almost like the common bond that gives us a singular identity as a people and nation,” he said while adding, “This is where all of you come in.” “So my question is how theological colleges or its students can help in strengthening the institution of the Church and making it responsive to the needs and problems of our society.”
To further strengthen “our institutions” (whether Church or government), the youth have a role to play, who must be given fair and equal opportunity, he said. One peculiar thing he noticed about Naga tradition in particular is that “our elders, they seem somewhat reluctant to give leadership responsibility to the upcoming younger generation.” Despite the young people are capable, he added. In this aspect, he commended NLBC for giving opportunity to a young person to head the college as the principal. Pusuinla Longkumer is the principal of the college.
While acknowledging the problem of indiscipline among the youth, he said that educational institutes whether theological or secular have the important responsibility to prepare youth in a way that they become useful citizens. “I have this theory that a good citizen is someone who is also a role model Christian.” Everyday words like peace, love, honesty, hard work, humility, accountability etc are all found in the teachings of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, “we tend to underestimate the value of the Bible and its teaching” though one may profess to be Christian.
He mentioned Abraham Lincoln, referring him as one of the most admired statesmen the world has ever seen. “He was theological but not religious” .Branded as a “scoffer” of religion by his opponents for not being part of a church, but, he read the Bible. He was a crusading visionary and a farsighted man, who was responsible for emancipating slaves in America. “He was able to do this because he had certain ethics that helped and guided him.”
The Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi was also greatly influenced by the New Testament, who applied many of the Christians principles to tackle the problems of his generation just as Abraham Lincoln did in his times. “It is somewhat of a paradox that Nagas we proclaim Nagaland for Christ and yet we have failed to apply the Christian principles. And as a result we are faced with the danger of becoming a failed society.”
“Only God and Education can save the Nagas”, he said quoting Rev Dr Tuisem Shishak — a Christian educationist, who is widely admired for his work among the Nagas, and the founder of Patkai Christian College.
As a society which boasts itself of being a Christian State, “If our State and its people are to be happy, prosperous and peaceful then we must return to the roots of our fellowship with God. To state it plainly, our church, our politics, our development and our governance must be Christ centred. We need to apply the Christian values and thinking into our everyday lives wherever we are and in whichever vocation or work we are in.”
To the students, he said: “Being theological students much will be expected out of you. You will have an important role to play in educating the masses with simple yet profound moral lessons of teaching what is right from wrong, respect for life, respect for the rule of law, respect for differences, promoting dialogue and understanding, propagating the message of forgiveness and reconciliation. And isn’t these biblical values the need of the hour in our society where corruption and violence has become the order of the day.” “Let us be known as the Christians who were instrumental in bringing about the reform and change that our society desperately yearns for.”
Founder / director of NLBC, Rev. Dr. Xashepu Wotsa in his welcome address informed that the college admitted 102 new students this year. The principal, Pusuinla Longkumer also addressed the gathering.
