The Children’s Choir (Bright Morning Star Children’s Home) presenting a song during the NBCC’s Sesquicentennial celebration in Kohima on November 19. (Morung Photo)
NBCC celebrates 150 Years of Christianity in Nagaland
Our Correspondent
Kohima | November 19
The Sesquicentennial celebration of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) commenced today at NBCC Convention Centre, Kohima under the theme ‘His Story.’
The celebration started with dedication of Sesquicentennial monolith by NBCC general secretary Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho.
Later, in his message on the topic ‘His Story: Celebrating the Gospel,’ Rev Dr Keyho underscored the need to ‘turn back for a while,’ and rewind to where it all began.
“As we celebrate the third Jubilee in our land, we are here to celebrate God’s favour upon us. We celebrate a story of how a people in the bondage of sin and darkness were liberated and redeemed as children of God,” he maintained.
Rev Dr Keyho said that the generation celebrating the jubilee must retell “our story of liberation to our children and celebrate God’s faithfulness in our lives.”
“Our story is God’s own story, story of God’s divine love, story of God’s grace and story of God’s mercy,” he added.
Elaborating further, he said that God was at work from the beginning that the Nagas, people living in darkness under the shadow of death, should become his people. That is why we say our story is God’s own story, it is his story, he said.
The rules and regulations and the boundaries set by the world, could not thwart the divine purpose for the Nagas who were unknown to the world, Rev Dr Keyho said.
He said that three things were at work here, (time, love, purpose), adding there is a factor of God’s own appointed time, as well as God’s love and divine purpose.
“Our story is far from perfect. It is not picture perfect story. They were patches of mistakes and struggles that led many to backslide. The pioneers have gone through sufferings, rejection and persecutions. It is very common to hear of converts been chased out of the village and disconnect them from the community. But the success story is the story of those who stood their ground,” Rev Dr Keyho said.
He stressed on the need to think of what legacy one can give to the children “so that they will pass on to their children.”
As we celebrate 150 years of God’s faithfulness, let us pass on that legacy to our children. “May his story become our story. May his story become my story. May his story become your story,” he added.
Earlier, Angami Baptist Church Council led the opening worship service while NBCC vice president N Tialemba Phom delivered welcome address. Salutation was led by Rev Dr Rachülie Vihienuo, co- chair Planning Committee Sesquicentennial Celebration.
Message through song was presented by Sesquicentennial Celebration Choir, Sesquicentennial Celebration Worship Team and Children’s Choir (Bright Morning Star Children’s Home).
Asia Pacific Baptist Federation and Council of Baptist Churches in North East India shared greetings.
The worship service also witnessed scripture readings from Rev Noksen Ngamen, Women Secretary Chang Baptist Lashong Thangyen and Rev Dr Poangba Konyak, Mission Secretary Konyak Baptist Bumeinok Bangjum.
NBCC former general secretary Rev Zhabu Terhüja pronounced blessings and benediction.
On the second day of the celebrations Sunday, Rev Dr Elijah Brown, General Secretary, Baptist World Alliance will be the speaker on the topic ‘His Story: Transforming Communities,’ during the morning worship service.
Other activities in the form of ‘Focus Group Services’ would be held at various churches within Kohima throughout the day, followed by the closing worship service at 4:30 pm at the NBCC Convention centre where Prof Alongla P Aier, Emeritus Professor, Oriental Theological Seminary will deliver a message on ‘His Story: Our Hope and Our Future.’
Among others, Rev Rümatho Nyusou, convenor Sesquicentennial celebration resolution committee will announce resolution and pledge during the closing service.