Emilo Khuvung
Kohima | April 18
The stage is set for a historic platinum jubilee celebration of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) here at the NBCC Convention Centre from April 19. The celebration will begin with inauguration of NBCC Convention Centre by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on April 19 at 4:00 PM and to be dedicated by Reid Trulson, Director, International Ministries, USA. It will be followed by opening service from 5:00 PM. Reid Trulson will speak on the topic “One New Humanity in Christ. He is our Peace.” Keynote address will be delivered by NBCC president Keviyiekielie Linyu.
Meanwhile 40 years after the visit of famed American evangelist, Billy Graham, his 64 years old second daughter, a prominent evangelical preacher Anne Graham Lotz will be joining the 75 years jubilee celebration. Along with her, the celebration will also feature Peter Charles Pulack (great-grand son of Tanquist, missionary who came to Kohima and was a part of the formation of NBCC 75 years ago) Ried Turlson and Benjamin Chan as the main speakers of the four days celebration. This was disclosed by Rev. Dr. Ajno Keikung, General Secretary, NBCC, today at the Convention Centre during an exclusive interview with “The Morung Express”.
Tens of thousands of delegates from 1553 churches in Nagaland and outside the state/country are expected to be attending the Platinum Jubilee celebration. The General Secretary said more than 100 foreign delegates- 10 from USA, 2 from Denmark, 20 from Japan, 70 from Thailand, 5 from Myanmar, 5 from Nepal and five to six thousand delegates within the state will be reaching the venue today.
The Convention Centre which is being constructed for the NBCC Platinum Jubilee is 300 ft in length and 150 ft in breadth. Keikung said that the capacity of the Convention Centre is only for 6000 people, however, the newly inaugurated Solidarity Park, adjoining the Convention Centre will accommodate around 4000 people who can witness the service through LCD projectors. Keikung expressed his pleasure at the Naga hospitality as many delegates within the country will be put up at various private homes.
The General Secretary also expressed gratitude to all the volunteers, NGOs, various churches, colonies and different people involved in carrying out cleanliness drive in the state capital over the last few weeks and along the highway from Dimapur to Kohima. He hoped that the cleanliness drive would be continued even after the celebration.
The Chairman (construction of Convention Centre) Rtd. Engineer in Chief, PWD Nagaland who is also the Chairman of Nagaland State Quality Control Board, N. Chielie said the construction of the Convention Centre was completed within a period of 9 months time.
The chairman said the roof fabrics are of Ferrari company products (German/France made) and with longevity of minimum 25 years. He said the Convention Centre was constructed with the help of various people from different denominations and thereby, he requested the NBCC to maintain and use it for the cause of the Nagas in general and also implored the Nagas not to damage the Convention centre.
The 4-day long celebrations to go on till April 22 under the theme “One New Humanity in Christ,” will be will be marked by music extravaganza by an 85-strong member platinum choir, Band Festival, orchestra presentation by the Japanese delegates, cultural presentation by the Thai delegates, rally for women and children, artefacts and photo gallery, food stalls, film festival and exhibitions.
Besides the main speakers, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Govenor Nikhil Kumar, Asian Pacific Baptist Federation general secretary Bonny Resu and several others will also share greetings.
Stating that the NBCC traces its history back to 1937 when few of the pioneer church leaders resolved to set up an advisory board for all the Baptist Churches in Nagaland, the communiqué said the ministry of the NBCC has today expanded to a number of departments focusing on specific areas such as the Women Department, Youth Department, Christian Education & Children Ministry, Communication/ Media, Education, Development, Missions, Peace Affairs, Intercessory Network, and other sponsored programmes like the Oriental Theological Seminary and the Christian Higher Secondary School at Dimapur.
