Molungkimong Baptist Church’s Sesquicentenary celebrations begin
Molungkimong, December 22 (MExN): Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho on Wednesday underscored the necessity of reconciliation in the context of contemporary Naga society which according to him, is divided and fractured by divisive politics
Addressing the Molungkimong Baptist Church’s Sesquicentenary (150 years) celebrations which began on December 21 evening, Rev Keyho who is the General Secretary of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) also called on Naga Christians to recenter their attention on “sharing the Gospel instead of focusing too much on celebrations and erecting monuments.”
He also exhorted the congregation to practice the culture of the Gospel beyond the church and integrate it in everyday life.
According to a press release, the two-day celebrations from December 21-22 “commemorate the establishment of the oldest church in Naga soil on December 22, 1872 when 15 converts from Molungkimong were baptised by American missionary Edward Winter Clark in a humble pond located in the village.”
On the occasion, Rev Keyho delivered greetings on behalf of 1708 churches under NBCC, and affirmed that “I came to take your blessings and take it to the people.” Speaking on the theme ‘The Hand of the Lord is Mighty,’ he said that the seed of Christianity was sown in Molungkimong when the villagers made the courageous decision to protect the missionaries in spite of prevailing headhunting practices.
He raised pertinent questions regarding the responsibilities and duties of a 150 year-old church and encouraged that Naga Christians must now stand up, walk and run since they have already emerged from darkness to light, and learn to share the great light that has dawned upon them.
Rev Keyho also cautioned “against our propensity to worship history and timelines, and exhorted the congregation to return the focus of the Sesquicentenary to worshipping what God has done,” the release stated.
Chaired by Immoaba, Associate Pastor, Changtongya, the service began with an opening ceremony by Molungkimong Senso Union, Tuli while S Lanu, Pastor of Purana Bazar ‘B’ Ao Baptist Church, Dimapur gave the invocation prayer.
Tatar of Molungkimong Village Council N Nungsang gave the welcome address while various speakers including Rev M Laka Tzüdir, Pastor of Chungtia Baptist Church; Imliyanger, Pastor of Yajang ‘A’ Baptist Church; Kepelhoutuo Chüsi, Chairperson of Church Board, Mezoma Baptist Church; and Biren Gowalla, Pastor, Central Baptist Church, Sivasagar, Assam shared greetings on behalf of their churches.
Original songs composed in Chungli Ao especially for the occasion were performed by the Sesquicentenary Choir, Merenkala B Tzüdir as well as the Molungkimong Senso Union Tuli during the opening.
The service also paid tribute to the contributions of pioneers who brought the Gospel to Molungkimong like Godhula Brown, Lucy, Edward Winter Clark, Mary Mead, Süpongmeren Tzüdir and the 60 warriors who made the brave decision to escort Clark from Sibsagar in 1872, the release stated.
The Sesquicentenary celebration will continue on December 22, with a morning and an evening session. Rev Prof Dr Mar Pongener will deliver the sermon at the main session on Thursday morning, it added.
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