The India Mission Summit 2025 concluded yesterday, October 3, at the Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo (DABA) in Nagaland after four days of intensive dialogue, worship, and collaboration among over 1,500 Baptist leaders and believers from across India.
Held from September 30 to October 3, the summit brought together representatives from all Baptist conventions and associations nationwide under the theme “For such a time as this: Call to Unprecedented Collaborative Global Mission.” The event was organized by the India Mission Coordination Committee (IMCC) in collaboration with the Nagaland Baptist Christian Convention (NBCC).
The opening worship service on September 30 featured a welcome address by Rev. Dr. I. Wati, Pastor of the host church DABA. Rev. Samaresh Nayak, Executive Director of IMCC, delivered the keynote address emphasizing the urgency of unprecedented collaborative efforts in global mission work. Greetings were extended via video by Rev. Sharon T. Koh, Executive Director/CEO of International Ministries (American Baptist Churches USA), highlighting the international dimension of Baptist cooperation.
The summit featured daily plenary sessions addressing critical issues facing Christian mission work in contemporary India. Rev. Vijayesh Lal, General Secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India, presented an overview of the state of the nation and the state of the Church and missions in India, while a session on global mission trends explored contemporary challenges and opportunities. Dr. Joshua Lorin concluded the plenary sessions with a presentation on the American Baptist legacy in India. Each plenary was followed by “Voices from the Mission Field” segments featuring testimonies from mission workers.
Throughout the four days, participants engaged in Bible studies exploring themes such as “In God’s Timetable,” “Unity and Synergy Amongst Baptist Family,” “That all will be One,” and “Engaging with the Global Mission,” led by resource persons including Rev. Peter Gangepogu, Mrs. Lalhmingmawii Chongthu, Dr. Niholi Sema, and Rev. Dr. Vesekhoyi Vee Tetseo.
A major component of the summit included 10 simultaneous workshop sessions held on October 1 and 2. Each topic was repeated on both days, allowing participants to attend two different workshops. Topics covered Baptist men’s and women’s ministry, effective youth ministry in the 21st century, children’s evangelization, anti-trafficking efforts, justice advocacy, understanding Hindutva ideology, holistic mission, and leadership development.
On October 2, Nagaland Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio attended the evening service, emphasizing the state’s rich Christian heritage and commitment to global mission. He acknowledged challenges facing places of worship across India while praising the Church’s continued contributions to education, healthcare, and peacebuilding. “We pray to remain a beacon of faith and hope, steadfast in evangelism both at home and abroad,” Dr. Rio stated, calling on youth to carry forward the legacy of faith with courage and humility. He described the summit as “a meaningful platform for prayer, reflection, and shared purpose” and sought prayers for wisdom and guidance for leaders during challenging times.
The summit showcased India’s Baptist diversity through musical performances by choirs from various state conventions including Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Karnataka, Telangana, and multiple Nagaland Baptist associations. A cultural extravaganza was held on October 3 afternoon, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of participating communities.
The closing service on Friday evening featured a declaration of the summit resolution, followed by a message from Rev. Dr. Mar Pongener on “Engaging with Renewed Vision and Verve.” Ms. Wanne G. Momin delivered the vote of thanks, and the closing prayer and benediction were offered by Rev. Dr. Niranjan Babu of Centenary Baptist Church, Hanamkonda.
Greetings throughout the summit were extended by representatives from the Baptist Union of Great Britain, North East Christian University, and various Baptist conventions from across India, underscoring the national and international significance of the gathering.
According to Rev. Samaresh Nayak, the unprecedented participation from all Baptist conventions and associations across India marked a historic moment for collaborative mission efforts. With participants from Northeast to South India, the summit served as a significant convergence, fostering dialogue on shared mission priorities and strengthening networks for collaborative ministry in an increasingly complex social and religious landscape.
