The passing away of Rev. Lano Longchar on 20 June has left an indelible loss to the Sumi churches across Nagaland and the Churches under the Western Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu in particular.
The genesis of Rev. Lano Longchar’s association with the Sumi Churches traced back to the Revival in 1976 at Mokokchung Ao Baptist Church. Within no time this great wave of Revival swept the Sumi Churches with immeasurable spiritual renewal. During these periods Rev. Lano Longchar played a vital role in reviving the Sumi Christians.
His contributions towards the Sumi churches after the revival break in 1976 are indispensably significant for three reasons. Firstly, when the revival wave swept the Sumi Churches, he was the one of the first preachers from other tribes who volunteered in reaching the Sumi churches with powerful Word of God. As a matter of fact, from late 1970s to early part of 1990s he was the most loved and sought preacher from other tribes by the Sumis. Assisted by late Rev. Inaho Swu and myself as his interpreters and co-preachers he zealously reached every nuke and corner of the Sumi land and urged the people to repent from their sins and return to God. As a result thousands of people were led to Christ. Secondly, to be more specific, when Western Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu (WSBAK) was newly inducted as 16th Association under the Nagaland Baptist Church Council and was under intense revival wave, he brought a message of hope and life. Many people received physical and spiritual healing through him. God sent his servant to nurture the churches in the Western Sumi areas during those transitional periods. Thirdly, wherever he went he was much loved and held in reverence by the Sumis because of his non parochialism lifestyle which was clearly demonstrated in his love for the Sumis. He built a new level of bond and trust between the Aos and the Sumis and set an example to be emulated by other God’s servants.
At his death, we are profoundly sad and grieved because he has been taken away from us and we will never see him again on this earthly life. We grieve because of this dedicated and anointed life has been taken away from our churches and communities. We grieve because of the hurt and sorrow we see in the lives of his family and friends. But beyond words, we are grateful to God for the family that raised him up. We are grateful to God for the churches he loved and nurtured. We are grateful to God in whose name he lived each day of his life. We are grateful to God because he has gone to be at the bosom of His Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He is not dead, he has gone to another place, another country to be with his Master. In the arms of our dear Lord Rev. Lano Longchar is now eternally blessed, secured and saved. Paul says, “FOR TO ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN” (Phil 1:21) Though the churches under WSBAK mourn the death of our beloved servant of God, yet we are grateful to God for having sent His humble servant Rev. Lano Longchar and blessed us through the Word of God and his life testimony.
His love for our people, his life testimony and his preaching of the Word of God will ever be cherished and remained forever with us. May God console the bereaved family!
Rev. Dr. Hevukhu Achumi Executive Secretary, WSBAK
