Nagaland Baptist Church Council celebrates 75 years

The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) will be celebrating its platinum jubilee from April 19 to 22.

The celebrations would be held at the NBCC Convention Centre in Kohima where over 10,000 delegates are expected.

"This is a very significant gathering for the churches in Nagaland. Several hundreds of delegates from the US, Europe and Asian countries are expected to join," said Dr AK Lama, general secretary of the Council of Baptist Churches in North East India.

"The event will include mission conferences, rallies, worship services and special highlights on past and future goals," added Dr Lama.

The Nagaland Baptist Church Council is an apex body of Baptist churches in Nagaland. It currently represents close to 1,500 churches.

Formed in the year 1953, NBCC's affiliate bodies include the Angami, Ao, Chang, Chakhesang, Khiamungan, Konyak, Kuki, Lotha and Rengma baptist associations.

The organisation's 75th anniversary celebration, held under the theme "One New Humanity in Christ", will be inaugurated by the state chief minister, Neiphiu Rio.

The speakers for the occasion include Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of Billy Graham; Reid Trulson, Director of American Baptist International Ministries; Peter Sulack; and Wallace Smith.

According to the organising committee, invitations have been extended to members belonging to other denominations and also to the Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Jain and other non-Christian organizations in Kohima.

Earlier, speaking of the contributions of the church in Nagaland, NBCC president Keviyiekielie Linyu told reporters that the church helped in preserving the Naga identity; ushered in education; and played a significant role to bring peace between India and the Naga underground groups.

Meanwhile, the Angami Public Organisation, the apex body of Angami tribe of Nagaland, urged all "citizens of Nagaland, Christians or non-Christians, to support and co-operate" to make the occasion a success.

"It is evident that the NBCC and the Naga church leaders are doing their best and all it takes to make this occasion the grandest of success is the participation of Christians from all over Nagaland, besides having enlightened personalities and church leaders from around the globe," the APO release said.

The APO said it would cooperate with district administration and various government departments in maintaining civic amenities.

It urged Naga political organisations and underground groups to not create any untoward incident during the large gathering.

The APO opined that the occasion was fitting for all warring Naga political groups to reconcile and come together to cohesively work towards the "Naga political aspiration".