In honour of our pioneer Ghonito Zhimomi, who passed away peacefully on 24 May 2016 at Nihokhu Village, the Western Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu is pleased to publish this memoir gratefully remembering his legacy and contributions for WSBAK.
Early life and Education
Ghonito Zhimomi was born in 1923 to Mr. Ghotovi and Mrs. Kachesho of Vishepu Village in Zunheboto District. As a young boy he was sent to his relatives at Nihokhu village in Western Sumi area as his family faced extreme hardship in the family. Together with his grand uncle Nihokhu and Nikhezu the Pastor of the village, Ghonito walked all the way to 1st Baptist Convention held at Kohima in 1939. There he was convicted by the Word of God and was baptized by Nisier Angami at the Mission Compound in Kohima. Thus he accepted Christ at the young age of 16.
Shortly after his baptism, his father arrived from Vishepu to take him back to the village upon hearing that his son had accepted a new faith. Nevertheless, this did not discourage Ghonito Zhimomi from sharing his new faith to his fellow villagers. Though sharing the Gospel was not allowed in the village, even at such a tender age, he prayed for the villagers and started sharing his faith with fellow villagers and led some of them to Christ. Besides, he taught fellow Christians to keep themselves clean, so that by looking different, they would attract others to the company of believers. Towards the end of 1939 six families were converted. In 1940, he returned to Nihokhu village from Vishepu and from there he proceeded to Jorhat to study at Mission Bible School where he studied three years under J.W.Cook from 1944 to February 1947. His three years of study at Mission Bible School was jointly funded by SBAK and Rev. B.I. Anderson with the amount of Rs.80 and Rs.60 respectively.
He got married to Mrs. Zheholi, Daughter of Homla, Kuhoxu Village in 1948 and were blessed with 10 children.
His Ministry and contributions for the Western Sumis
Upon his completion of studies in 1947, he started the evangelistic work in the capacity of Travelling Pastor looking after the nascent churches in the Western Sumi areas and Sumi villages in Upper Assam and adjacent areas such as Woji and Shihapu. Seeing the prospect of Church growth in the Western Sumi areas, he was given licentiate by Rev. B.I. Anderson permitting him to baptize new believers and to lead the Lord’s Supper.
As more and more Sumi settlers arrived in the Western Sumi areas towards the middle of the 20th century, the demand for catering to the needs of the nascent churches were almost impossible because there was no other evangelists. Besides, dense forests and lack of connectivity between villages posed great hurdles for him to reach the villages with the Gospel. Yet with undaunting spirit and great dedication, he walked for months and days from village to village taking the Gospel to Churches and people. During those years the Sumi villages in the Western Sumi region were isolated from the rest of Sumi Christian meetings.
It was through his initiative, the Western Sumi areas were brought under the fold of the Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu (SBAK) which was mainly catering to the needs of the churches in the eastern region. After a thoughtful consideration he prepared a report of the Churches in the Western Sumi region and attended the SBAK Annual Session at Aichisaghe village in 1947 and formally inducted the Western Sumi Churches under the administration of SBAK which was then known as the Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu Loka (SBAKL). Subsequently he was entrusted to supervise the churches in Western Sumi areas and represented the Western Sumi Churches as Executive Committee Member at SBAK during 1947 – 1959. During those years where there was no road connectivity he walked from village to village and nurtured the nascent churches with great dedication and sacrifice. Prior to retirement in 1973 he worked as a Travelling Pastor, as an Evangelist, as a Headmaster and finally as a Corresponding Secretary.
Together with late Shikhevi of Kiyevi Village, he pioneered the youth ministry for the churches in the Western Sumi areas by establishing the Christian Endeavour (C.E) in 1947. In the first C.E conference which was held at Khehoyi Village during 8-10 August 1947, he delivered the first message based on Isaiah 11:4-6.
In 1972 when the Association Centre was shifted to Akuvuto, Thahekhu Village Ghonito Zhimomi was the first and the only staff who brought his family and stationed there. While stationed there, his family faced hardships even for daily needs as there was none to support his family. One night, he and his wife along with their children had nothing left to eat. When the children asked him what they were going to eat next morning, he told them not worry saying God would provide for their needs. That night the family prayed and went to sleep. When they woke up the next morning, a vehicle laden with rice and vegetables arrived at their house sent by a well wisher.
It was through his family’s sacrifice that Akuvuto grew from strength to strength over the years and today WSBAK is the only Association which has its administrative centre in Dimapur. This has been made possible only through the visionary figures like Ghonito Zhimomi, and few pioneers who could foresee the prospect of establishing WSBAK Administrative Centre at Akuvuto, Thahekhu Villlage for the later generation.
Apart from serving the churches in various capacities, he also actively worked for the socio-political cause for the Western Sumi areas.
The Western Sumis reacted to Ghonito’s death with outpouring grief and tributes and his funeral was attended by people from all walks of life. He is survived by his second wife, 8 Children, 29 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Ghonito Zhimomi was not only a God’s servant but a visionary leader for the Western Sumi Community. He made phenomenal contributions for the Western Sumis in particular and the Sumis in general. He deserves to be called “the Father” of the Western Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu.
His death has left a vacuum which none could fill but his legacy and contributions will live on and inspire the generations to come.
Rev. Dr. Hevukhu Achumi Executive Secretary, WSBAK
