The two-day long celebration of the Asia Pacific Baptist Federation 50th Anniversary under the theme “Imagining the Future Together” concluded on Saturday evening at Singapore. On Saturday, APBF President Rev. Mark Wilson addressed the congregation on APBF- ‘Imagining the Future’. The delegates also highlighted the ongoing Israel and Palestine conflict and Manipur issue besides others.
Speaking on the sideline of the celebration Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of Nagaland, said that the Asia Pacific Baptist Federation has played a pivotal role in bringing ceasefire between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM.
According to Sema, “When the first conference was held in 1996, it was during when a lot of killings were going on in the state. We attended the conference and it was one of the most important occasion where we discussed issues pertaining to Asia conflict. Thanks to leaders like Dr. Wati Aier, Bony Resu and Rev. Dr. Pongshing who attended the conference, which was also one of the stepping stones for the ceasefire which took place in 1997.”
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Emphasising on the theme, “Imagining the Future Together,” Sema said, “It is true that Asia should come together, the world should come together until and unless we come together there is no future.”
He also mentioned that Nagaland is one of the largest delegations attending the celebration and lauded the members of Aeterna Choir for their outstanding performances, adding “because of Aeterna Choir our presence was also felt.”
The celebration was attended by delegates from 17 countries. Team Nagaland was led by Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) General Secretary Rev. Dr Zelhou Keyho and various Church leaders of the State. Nagaland Aeterna Singers led by James Shikiye Swu, founder and artistic director, made special appearance during the two-day celebration as the Choral representative of NBCC.
APBF functions as a regional organisation of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) and consists of over 40,000 local churches and 65 Conventions in 22 Countries across the Asia Pacific region. The aim of the Federation is to promote fellowship, cooperation and service amongst Baptists; to stimulate and coordinate evangelism and to assist in consultation and planning for various ministry programs.
