Celebrations to mark 150 years of Christianity in the Naga Hills are set to begin on Tuesday in Impur, the Mission Headquarters of the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM).
Thousands of delegates from across Nagaland and abroad are expected to attend the ABAM Sesquicentennial celebrations from 1 to 3 November.
The three-day event will be held under the theme ‘To God be the Glory’.
“The Ao churches and the Ao community are excitedly looking forward to the celebration with gratitude before God and in a spirit of jubilance,” stated the media and publicity team of ABAM SQC 2022 in a press release.
The press release further stated: “The ABAM SQC Planning Committee requests all the church members and friends to prayerfully attend and participate in the celebration of God’s love, physically as well as virtually.”
The celebrations mark the coming of Christianity to Nagaland in 1872 when several members of Molungkimong village were baptised and the first church in Naga soil established by the American Baptist Missionary Rev E W Clark.
On Tuesday 1 November, the inaugural service will begin at 5pm at the Centennial Hall in Impur.
Rev Watson Rajaratnam, the Regional Director of Serving in Mission (SIM) East Asia, Singapore will be the main speaker. Along with working in SIM, the reverend also serves as International Faculty of Haggai Institute. He has previously worked as SIM Singapore National Director and Executive News Editor and has also spent nine years doing ministry work in Zambia and Malawi.
During the service, Rev Dr L Kari Longchar, Former Executive Secretary, ABAM will give an exhortation. Biren Gowalla, Pastor, Central Baptist Church, Sivasagar and Rev Dr W Along Jamir will deliver the greetings.
The Jubilee Souvenir will be released by L Bendangla Jamir, Former Secretary, ABTM, during the same service.
The Baptist Church Mizoram Choir will be singing in all five services of the three-day celebrations.
On Wednesday 2 November, a special programme titled Homecoming Celebration will take place from 1-3pm, featuring both traditional and modern performances.
The following individuals and groups will be taking part:
Phom Baptist Christian Association
Ao Naga Choir, Delhi
Nungshitula Pongener & Merenyangla Pongener
Lotha Baptist Churches Association
Akangmongba
Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu (SBAK, Aizuto)
ABAM Choir
United Sangtam Baptist Lithroti Ashimükhong (ASBLA)
Samaro
Sümi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu, Nito Mount
ABAM Youth Ministry
Nocte Baptist Churches Association
Meyitemsü Pongen
Aoyimti Baptist Arogo
The three-day sesquicentennial celebrations will be telecast live through the ABAM YouTube channel
The service timings and speakers:
Tuesday, 1 November
Inaugural service: 5pm; speaker: Rev Watson Rajaratnam, Regional Director, Serving in Mission, East Asia.
Wednesday, 2 November
Morning service: 9am; speaker: Rev Watson Rajaratnam, Regional Director, Serving in Mission, East Asia.
Evening service: 5pm; speaker: Rev Prof Dr Limatula Longkümer, Registrar, Senate of Serampore College (University).
Thursday, 3 November
Morning service: 9am. Speaker: Rev Jim Bell, Associate Executive Director for Global Mission International Ministries.
Evening service: 3pm. Speaker: Rev Prof Dr Mar Pongener. Executive Secretary, ABAM, Impur.
