ABAM celebration of 150 yrs of Christianity in Naga Hills closes

Impur, November 4 (MExN): The three-day Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang’s (ABAM) sesquicentennial celebration of 150 years of Christianity in the Naga Hills held at Impur came to a close on November 3. The celebration closed with a presentation that challenged ABAM and the delegates to set their faith and spiritual eyes toward the coming 175 years of Christianity in the Naga Hills. A total of 3195 people officially registered for the SQC jubilee celebration.

The Children Choir, Mokokchung Town Arogotem, comprising 150 young boys and girl presented a choreographed gospel song, directed by Yanglu, Associate Pastor, MTBA. Rev Dr Bendang Longkümer, Convenor, SQC Planning Committee, gave an overview of the tasks, resources and planning that led to success of the event. 

Impur Bible School Choir presenting songs during the third day of ABAM sesquicentennial celebration at Impur on November 3.

While delivering his sermon on the theme “Preach the Good News to the World” (Mark 16:15), Rev Sentisashi Aier, President, ABAM called upon the congregation to pray and ask for forgiveness and seek God’s providence upon the Naga people.

Aier lamented that in the past 150 years of Christianity Ao people have become nominal Christians and therefore there is an urgent need for “re-evangelization” among the believers to correct this weakness. This process of “re-evangelization”, Aier noted, should begin from each and every family and by “focusing on our children.” He encouraged to start to preach the gospel from family as well as share to the neighbour around us.

Preaching on the theme “Stand Firm in Faith,” Rev Dr Prof Mar Pongener, Executive Secretary, ABAM appealed to the listeners that “God’s blessing always follows us when we have faith in God and asking God’s help sincerely.” 

Christians, especially Ao believers, should “Be willing to be a fool in the eyes of men as long as we are walking in God’s plan.” Pongener challenged the Jubilee participants to “reevaluate their faith witness” by their works and not through their words alone.” For Ao churches to o “step into the years ahead,” Pongener noted, “we must stay rooted in God’s word and   seek divine wisdom and understanding.” 

Baptist Church of Mizoram Choir presenting songs during the third day of ABAM sesquicentennial celebration at Impur on November 3. (Morung Photo by Manen Aier)

Chumlamo Humtsoe, who spoke on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung encouraged the congregation to forgive each other, renew unity, bind ourselves in brotherhood and usher new forms of blessings for each other. 

Rev  Dr Akheto Sema, General Secretary, Council of Baptist Churches in Northeast India (CBCNEI), highlighted the gloomy challenges faced by the community in the midst of this rejoicing and urged the churches to “come out of their comfort zones” and face the challenges and torch the way for the rest of the communities to the world and beyond. 
Rev Imo Aier, president of the 1972 ABAM Centennial Celebration, and former General Secretary of CBCNEI, spoke on the importance of making firm “resolutions which would bring about a paradigm shift not only within ABAM but also for the Naga society as a whole.”In the exhortation 

Rev Toshinaro, former sect ABTM lamented that there were “multiple educated leaders” but no truth-seeking leaders.”In the coming future” she expressed, she hopes for a structure in the Church and society where “women can also take the top positions and lead the people.” 

Rev Dr Mar Atsongchanger, former Executive Secretary of ABAM, expressed his gratitude to the Molungkimong and Molungyimsen villages for inviting in Rev Dr EW Clark and bringing the good news to them. Using William Carey’s famous quote, “Do great things for God, expect greater things from God,” Atsongchanger encouraged the congregation to make Clark Theological College an international University, and extend its mission to the ends of North-East India. He asked the SQC delegates whether we were serious of making disciples of every member under ABAM. Atsongchanger concluded his exhortation by stating that the Ao churches should “Go back to the basic word of God because if all of us became good Christians, there would be no corruption in the land.”

Bringing greetings on behalf of the American Baptist Foreign Missionary Society, Kathy Longkumer reminded the gathering that God chose the Ao people at a strategic time in history and raised them up for his purpose and plans. Let us not rest in our laurels but let’s press on to Gods calling for us today so that we can be his instrument to go to ends beyond. 

Imliwapang, a missionary serving under ABAM International called upon the Ao churches to reclaim the mission of reaching out to the Shan people in China, a community which EW Clark and other missionaries had wanted to evangelize. “To make God’s mission successful, we need to unite and minister together,” noted Imliwapang. 

Earlier, morning and evening praise and worship was led by Kohima Ao Baptist Arogo (Youth Ministry) and a special song was presented by Clark Theological College. The Baptist Church of Mizoram Choir presented their last two songs in the last worship service and they were given a long-standing ovation by the crowd. 

Source: https://morungexpress.com/abam-celebration-of-150-yrs-of-christianity-in-naga-hills-closes