The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) has taken strong exception over the state government’s directive issued to all AHoDs and HoDs to be in station for the President’s maiden visit to Nagaland which is coinciding with sesquicentenary celebrations. The NBCC stated that the directive has created undue stress and regret at this juncture.

“Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM), is all geared to celebrate Sesquicentennial, the coming of Christianity in Ao Naga soil from November 1-3, 2022. With few days left for the celebration, the order from the government for all the AHOD and HOD to be in station for the visit of the President has created undue stress and regret at this juncture,” stated Rev Keyho.

He said the church will not impose its program on the state in this matter. However, it said since the preparation for the celebration has been long planned it has created an “uneasy situation” where many of the ABAM members will not be able to attend the jubilee celebration.

Rev Keyho also asserted that ABAM Sesquicentennial celebration is not only historic to the Ao community but also to the whole state in Nagaland.

The NBCC requested the government to make a viable alternative and allow the community to celebrate free from interference, considering the importance of the celebration.

NBCC has also flagged serious concern over the infiltration of “heretical teaching” regarding the “Chinese cult” doing the round. It said the church has also raised similar concerns in the past.

The Council stated that “the Church of Almighty God” is a cult and it has been doing the round for several years outside of our state and our country and now it is penetrating into schools and church youth groups.

“They have been using credible Christian organizations to lure young people into their teachings,” the Council added.

It stated that it is always difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood, the church said, the “cult usually build their case from the truth of the Bible.”

The council has also warned the school authorities to watch out for such group coming and getting in touch with the students in the guise of counseling, conducting chapel and running camps for the student community. “We must be on our guard,” the Council added.