Meyu Changkiri
Every year, on the third Sunday of October, Christians across the Northeast pause to observe the North East India Christian Council (NEICC) Day of Prayer. It is a day set aside not for denominational pride or church tradition, but for something deeper and more meaningful - to remember our oneness in Christ and to renew our shared calling to be faithful witnesses in society.
This year, I have been entrusted by the NEICC office with the privilege of sharing the Prayer Day message at Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Church, Kynton Masar, Shillong. I receive this responsibility with humility, knowing that the message belongs not to me alone but to the wider fellowship of churches across Northeast India. Together, we are called to be salt and light in a world that often feels fractured, restless, and searching for hope.
As we mark this occasion, we are reminded of Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Matthew. He first spoke these words to His disciples, and they continue to speak to us today:
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” (Matthew 5:13, ESV).
Salt is a small, ordinary substance, yet it has the power to transform everything it touches. It flavors food, preserves what is good, and gives itself completely when dissolved. In the same way, Christians and churches are called to bring hope, integrity, and love to their communities. The NEICC Day of Prayer is therefore not just another event on the calendar. It is a reminder that the church must be scattered into the world like salt - not hidden in separate containers, but poured out together for the good of all.
A Legacy of Unity
The NEICC has a remarkable history that deserves to be told and retold, not only within the church but also in the wider society. Its story is one of courage, vision, and a deep conviction that unity is not an option but a necessity.
Before 1937, churches in the Assam region were part of the Bengal Christian Council (BCC). However, leaders soon realized that the geo-political and cultural realities of Assam were very different from Bengal. The American Baptist Churches withdrew from the BCC, while the Welsh Presbyterian Church retained membership. The sense grew stronger that a separate council was needed to represent the unique realities of the Northeast.
In September 1936, the Welsh Presbyterian Mission invited other missions for an informal meeting in Shillong. Representatives gathered again on April 15, 1937, for a follow-up meeting, and this time they unanimously voted to form a new council. A constitution was drafted and adopted, and on November 23, 1937, the Assam Christian Council was officially declared in Shillong.
From the very beginning, this was more than an administrative decision. It was a statement of faith - that Christians from different traditions could stand together for a common witness in the region.
The Council steadily grew and developed. In 1945, it decided to revise its constitution, with updates in 1950, 1954, and 1959. In 1962, the name was changed to the North East India Christian Council (NEICC) to reflect the fellowship of churches across all the states of the region. Later, in 1983, revisions were made to respond to changes in the National Christian Council (now NCCI) and regional needs.
These milestones show that the NEICC is not static. It has always been a movement of renewal, ready to adapt while staying true to its foundation of faith, prayer, and mission.
Living as Salt of the Earth
What does Jesus mean when He calls His followers the “salt of the earth”? Salt may be simple, but in His time, it was precious. It flavored food, preserved fish and meat from decay, and symbolized purity and loyalty. Salt mattered.
From this powerful metaphor, we can draw three lessons for the church today:
1. Salt makes life better. Imagine rice without salt, or vegetables cooked without seasoning. The taste is flat, lifeless. But a small pinch of salt transforms the dish completely. In the same way, Christians are called to make life better for others. Through words that uplift, actions that show kindness and forgiveness, and a presence that brings peace into tense or broken situations, we are meant to add God’s flavor to the world.
2. Salt preserves what is good. In ancient times, salt was a refrigerator. It was rubbed into fish and meat to stop them from rotting. Without salt, food decayed quickly. In the same way, the church is called to hold back the moral and spiritual decay of society. We do this through prayer, through integrity in public life, and through witness that stands firm for truth even when it is unpopular. The faithful prayers of God’s people, like Abraham interceding for Sodom, may be what sustains our region even today.
3. Salt gives itself completely. Once salt is sprinkled into food, it cannot return to the container. It dissolves, disappears, and gives itself fully. This is a picture of discipleship. We are not called to serve God half-heartedly. We are called to offer our whole selves - our time, talents, energy, and lives. Salt doesn’t complain, and salt doesn’t hold back. It simply gives itself. So must we.
The Mission of the NEICC
The NEICC takes these biblical lessons and seeks to embody them in real and practical ways. Its mission is not only spiritual but also social, educational, and moral.
It strives to bear witness to Christ effectively through preaching, teaching, and service. It encourages fellowship and cooperation among denominations, moving toward deeper unity in faith and mission.
The Council also works to shape Christian responsibility in society. It speaks to moral and social issues, promotes peace and justice, and takes collective action when necessary. The establishment of Union Christian College in 1952 and later the UCC Higher Secondary School reflects this commitment to education, while the Peace Centre highlights its role in dialogue, research, and community building.
The NEICC also acts as a bridge between the church and society. It liaises with governments when needed, cooperates with national and international church bodies, and ensures that the voice of faith is heard in the shaping of public life. At its heart, the NEICC nurtures mutual respect, believing that the church is central to the Christian enterprise and that the local congregation is the foundation of its life and witness.
The Role and Identity of the NEICC
The Council’s area of operation covers all the states of Northeast India, as well as others under the North East Council. This makes it truly regional in scope, while rooted in local contexts.
It is affiliated to the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), linking it with ecumenical movements across the country and around the world. This ensures that the concerns of the Northeast are represented nationally and globally, while also allowing the region to learn from the wider body of Christ.
At its core, the NEICC is built on a basis of humility and fellowship. It does not exercise control over its members. Instead, it serves as a platform for consultation, dialogue, and mutual assistance. Its declarations are not binding but provide encouragement and guidance, reminding all participants that true cooperation flows from shared conviction, not compulsion.
This makes the NEICC unique: a fellowship of equals, committed to comity, consultation, and cooperation, while respecting the autonomy of each member body.
For the Good of All
While the NEICC Day of Prayer is primarily a Christian observance, its message is not limited to churchgoers. The call to be “salt of the earth” is essentially a call to make life better, preserve what is good, and give ourselves for the common good.
In our region, which is rich in culture yet marked by tensions, divisions, and rapid social change, this vision has urgent relevance. Integrity, honesty, compassion, and unity are not just Christian values - they are human values that strengthen society.
The NEICC has long promoted dialogue, education, peace, and justice. These are goals that every citizen, regardless of faith, can embrace. When churches commit to living as salt, the benefit is not only for themselves but for the whole society.
Conclusion
The NEICC Day of Prayer is far more than an annual observance; it is a call to action. For the church, it is a summons to remain faithful to Christ, united in mission, and courageous in witness. For society, it is an invitation to embrace values that build peace, justice, and dignity for all.
Salt locked away in a container achieves nothing; it fulfills its purpose only when it is scattered and spent. In the same way, our lives and institutions find meaning only when poured out in service. On this Day of Prayer, we affirm that God has scattered His people across Northeast India not to remain divided or hidden, but to flavor our world with love, to preserve what is good with truth, and to give ourselves wholeheartedly for the flourishing of our communities.
As prayers rise across the region, may we commit ourselves anew - in our homes, churches, workplaces, and civic spaces - to be the “salt of the earth.” Even the smallest grains of salt can transform an entire meal. Likewise, even the smallest acts of integrity, compassion, and unity can transform society.
As I share this message, assigned by the NEICC office, I am reminded that this calling is not personal but communal. It is a reminder that we belong to one body, scattered like grains of salt yet united in purpose - to flavor our world with God’s love, preserve what is good, and witness boldly for Christ. Together, let us build a future flavored with hope, preserved with truth, and strengthened by the power of shared humanity.
