The Nagaland Revival and Healing Festival 2025 concluded on December 5 with a record-breaking attendance of approximately 1.95 lakh people at the Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex in Dimapur, making it one of the largest privately organised events in the state’s history.
Organised by a group of millennials calling themselves The Gatekeepers, the event saw a cumulative attendance of over 4.05 lakh across all four days. Originally scheduled to end on December 4, it was extended by a day owing to intense public demand.
The festival opened on December 2 at the State Stadium, DC Court, before moving to the larger Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex to accommodate growing crowds. Entry was free for all attendees throughout the event.
The main speaker was Apostle Ankit Sajwan of the Family of Lord Jesus Church, New Delhi, accompanied by his wife, Pastor Monika Sajwan. The event featured daily sessions with praise and worship performances by New Life Music Nagaland, Dimapur Christian Fellowship, Limitless Generation, and Harp Generation.
At the opening service, Rev Moses Murry, General Superintendent of Assembly of God, NEI, delivered greetings, while Dr Naomi Zhimomi and Pastor Edward Odyuo of The Gatekeepers led the proceedings.
Attendance figures climbed steadily from 40,000 on the opening day to 70,000 on day two, crossing the one lakh mark on day three before reaching 1.95 lakh on the final day. By Friday afternoon, the venue had filled to capacity, with vehicles parked along approach roads after the main parking area overflowed.
Gates opened each day at 2:00 pm, followed by a praise fiesta from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, with the main healing and revival service beginning at 5:00 pm.
In addition to the main gatherings, two exclusive seminars with Apostle Ankit were held on December 3 and 4 at The Lighthouse Church in Dimapur, designed to equip and strengthen believers.
The closing service on Friday evening began with a symbolic act as Sajwan and his wife washed the feet of representatives from different tribes present. The gesture, based on the biblical account from John 13, moved many attendees to tears. Sajwan described it as “the true heart of leadership—serving, not being served.”
Throughout the festival, Sajwan emphasised that he had come not to represent Christianity but to represent Christ. He defined revival as “the moment you return to life from within through the Word of God,” cautioning against viewing it merely as emotional or crowd-driven hype.
“Christianity is the union of God with humanity,” he declared, adding that deeper union with Christ weakens the power of sin. He stressed that healing is central to the Gospel, describing it as part of the “full benefit package” of salvation.
Addressing concerns about the festival coinciding with Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival, Sajwan said there was no competition between the two events. “Praise God to those who are at Hornbill and to the passionate lovers who are here,” he stated.
The preacher repeatedly urged attendees to return to Scripture, saying that freedom and victory come from knowing God’s word. “People are tired of hearing only what happened 2,000 years ago. They want to encounter the living Jesus today,” he said.
He prophesied that Generation Z in Nagaland would “rise in prophetic boldness, choosing church over pubs and wine shops” and become revivalists leading India in testimonies of healing and transformation.
Sajwan encouraged attendees to share their testimonies publicly, particularly on social media. Organisers said they have begun compiling testimonies ranging from relief from chronic pain to claims of deliverance from addiction and depression. The Gatekeepers called the event “a watershed moment in Nagaland’s spiritual history.”
Speaking to the media after the festival, Sajwan delivered a message for Nagas during the Christmas and New Year season, urging them to return to the foundation of their faith. “Go back to the Word of God. To not keep traditions above the Word of God,” he said, adding that “the traditions of men have made the Word of God of none effect.”
He described his time in Nagaland as “coming back to family” and expressed willingness to return when God permits, possibly as early as next year.
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