As Christians around the world marked the victory of Jesus Christ over death and the hope of new life, members of United Baptist Church Toulazouma in Nagaland gathered at dawn to celebrate their risen Savior by stepping beyond the church walls, they brought their faith into the streets, sharing the message of hope, victory over death, and new life with others.
The sunrise service marked a historic moment as believers filled the streets with the sound of hymns, guitars, drum and joyful voices. Pastor, UBCT, Abeni Lotha emphasized that the true meaning of Resurrection Sunday lies in personal transformation rather than mere observance.
She urged believers to reflect on their lives in light of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who, she said, conquered death and secured victory for humanity. “The question we must ask ourselves is whether we are truly living a victorious life,” she noted, cautioning against celebrating the day simply out of tradition without understanding its true meaning. She added that a transformed life is the true expression of the resurrection, encouraging believers to embody that change in their daily lives.
Youth Director of UBCT, Obed Tep Rengma said the sunrise procession was not only a celebration but a proclamation of faith, as members walked through the streets singing hymns and choruses to declare that Jesus Christ is risen and alive.
Reflecting on the events following the crucifixion, he spoke of the deep sorrow and confusion experienced by the disciples, whose hopes were shattered by Christ’s death, likening it to the loss of a loved one.
He added that the resurrection transformed that despair into joy and renewed hope, and urged believers to lay down their anxieties, sorrows, burden and the spirit of confusion on the cross and proclaim the victory in Jesus name.
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Quoting Bible (Matthew 11:28), he said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” encouraging all to celebrate Resurrection Sunday as a testimony of faith, freedom, and victory. “We wanted to celebrate not just within a building, but openly, as a witness to the joy we believe in, he added.
Church leaders emphasized that the walk was not a demonstration, but a reflection of gratitude and joy. “We walked with music and prayer to express what true resurrection means to us that sin is forgiven, hope is alive, and death is not the end,”. The members also shared their experience of the sunrise service and gospel walk, describing it as a historic moment for them to witness many coming together in faith to proclaim victory through Jesus Christ, and to affirm a message of hope and the call to carry his light into the world.
The sunrise service is observed by many Christian communities worldwide, symbolizes the discovery of the empty tomb and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This moment is the foundation of Christian faith because it represents victory over death and the promise of eternal life. For United Baptist Church Toulazouma members, this year’s observance carried an added dimension as they stepped into public spaces as an act of collective faith, proclaiming the gospel to the wider community.
