Meet Imliwabang Longchari, the man behind Sinai Ministry, a ministry dedicated to the service of the youth. We grab a brew and find out how he encounters God at 12 years old, only to lose him and then later at a young age of 24 years old establishes Sinai Ministry, to help young Nagas find God’s path.
Akangchila Longchar (Morung Express Feature)
Flashback: A 12 year old boy is hanging around his backyard, with a packet of ‘imli tenga’ in his left pocket. Hearing loud cries from his neighbors place, he saunters over to find out that a cell group from the colony youth ministry had come and were inviting people to join them in prayer. The next thing, the boy finds himself crying and deciding to commit his life to the Lord. “Something just pushed me that day, and the funny part is I don’t know what made me cry,” says Imliwabang Longchari, founder, director of Sinai Ministry based in Dimapur, Nagaland. But that was just a childhood thing, he said. The commitment that he gave that day at such a young age was forgotten as he grew up. Many years after that spiritual encounter, leading a life of fun, succumbing to the habit of drinking alcohol daily, and after failing to pass his exams, it was at around 8 to 9 pm, October 5, 2001, when Imliwabang at 19 years old, encounters God again. The second time around, he realized that God indeed had something in store for him. Imliwabang then traveled to Chennai to study B.Th.
After he finished his studies in 2006, he comes home, when some of his old friends invite him to a party. He refuses. But when his friends refuse to take a no, Imliwabang end up going to the party. “I was shocked to see what Dimapur has become, young people drinking and partying,” he recollects and said, “I could not sleep that night. And that night God spoke to me. I knew I had to do something for all the young souls” he said.
Interlink these incidents, and that’s the story of how Sinai Ministry came about. What started as Sinai worship team has now gone on to be called Sinai Ministry-A powerful name that connote all things youth, positive attitude and right living towards the path to God. Imliwabang states that he never expected such turn of events in his life. “We started as a small worship team with focus on music. The Lord has helped us to establish a ministry,” he said. Wabang feels that since he led a life of sin he clearly can thus identify with all the young people out there influenced by worldly things. “I thank God I came out of that and this is the reason. In such a short time of my youth I went through so much, so I want to reach out to similar people,” he said.
Born in 1982, Imliwabang is the youngest among seven siblings. He shares that his late brother Toshi was a gifted and talented man who was always involved in many youth programmes. I was somebody who was never the leader but always in the background, say Imliwabang, who today is a very influential youth leader. “I never though I could become somebody. That’s how I grew up.” Laughing, he remembers how he wanted to join the navy.
A Christian youth ministry, Sinai Ministry work for spiritual awakening of the youth and for the uplift of the disadvantaged and downtrodden. Imliwabang shares that he enjoys not only working with young people but enjoy their company immensely.
He says that with young people there is no boundaries and the interaction are open and casual. However, he also faces the brunt of having to try and get the attention. “Since the young are occupied with so many things, it is hard to capture their attention and time,” he said.
The philosophy and approach of Sinai Ministry, he said was not to be too religious and to have a causal approach. “We try to be friendly, discover their talents and try to provide a platform and encourage them to serve the Lord with their gifts. We try to have fun in the right spirit,” he said.
This young leader is inspired by Joel Osteen, an American evangelist. When I listen to him I really feel inspired, he said. Jesus Freaks compiled by dc Talk is a book that acts as a booster for him when he is feeling spiritually drained. Imliwabang also shares that he listens to a lot of country music like Billy Ray Cyrus and Rascal Flatts. He lists short temper and laziness to be his weak points. He also reveals that his support system is Dina Ross who is not only his wife but acts as a spiritual partner. “We always encourage each other when one is spiritually down,” he said.
Imliwabang also shared that Sinai Ministry strives to do something different always. “We don’t want to be in the box. I won’t be surprised if God takes us international. We do not want to be just a local ministry.” Revealing how far the Ministry has really come, Imliwabang shares that he use to be worried about whether people will turn up for programmes, but now he is more worried about how to accommodate people. They in fact even had to demolish some of the rooms at Sinai Café to make more space.
“From the beginning it was a struggle for me. Does not mean I’m not struggling now. I have learnt a lot in the process I have become more matured. Shouldering the task of being the founder/director of Sinai Ministry at the age of 24 was not an easy task. Every difficulty, hardship, every situation that had come my way has become a testimonial to me. I have experienced loss, failure, spiritual down, rejection, hurt, insults- all these have helped me. It’s like an energy drink,” he adds in a lighter tone.
“Behind the stage a lot of tears have been shed, I know there’s more on the way. If through my testimony of life I could inspire one person it would be a blessing,” he said. A message for the youth: “Love God,” he says simply.
