Dimapur, September 15 (MExN): A 3-day special leadership development training programme for the Pastors of the Assam Valley Baptist Mission concludes at Clark Theological College, Aolijen at Mokokchung today, September 15.
A total of 38 pastors including three women from Assam attended in the training, which was organised by the Clark Theological College, Aolijen and sponsored by well wishers. The topics that were covered during the training were: “Church administration, Pastor & pulpit, Pastor & family, preparation of Bible sermon with reference to the present day scenario, conducting different services, conflict management” etc were imparted to them. Rev. T. Sübong, former Kohima Ao Baptist Church Pastor & Molungyimsen Ebenezer Missionary, Rev. C. Bendang Jamir, Director, Generation Countdown Youth Ministry Dimapur, A. Tali Ao, Lecturer CTC, Rev. T. Yanger, PRO CTC and Rev. Dr. Takatemjen, Principal CTC had imparted the trainees, stated a press note issued by District Informatics Officer(NIC) Er. Temsu Wathi Ao, who is also the president of Assam Valley Baptist Mission
The note stated that the team also visited Ao Baptist Church Association (ABAM), Impur on Tuesday as a field visit cum exposure trip. The Assam Pastors were welcomed by the executive secretary and his colleagues followed by a short interaction. Welcoming the Assam pastors’ team, Rev. Dr. Mar Atsongchanger, Executive Secretary, ABAM thanked them for visiting the Nagaland’s oldest mission centre established by Dr E W Clark more than a century ago.
“The Christianity to the Naga hills was first brought by Godhula Brown from Sibsagar Assam and now it is the turn and duty bound for us to look back to Assam as Christians there need support” Mar said. He assured the Assam Valley Baptist Mission team for extending need based support at different milestones.
Later, the team visited Impur Baptist Church, the oldest church building in Nagaland constructed in 1936 by Rev. B.I. Anderson. The Assam pastors exchanged views and opinions with the church functionaries here in a very humble atmosphere. The pastors were impressed on learning the different ministries being taken up by this church. Rev R. Teka, Pastor of Impur Baptist church and I. Meren Pongen, Secretary, Church & Mission had initiated the interaction which was followed by goodwill refreshment arranged by the church members, it stated.
Also, the team paid a goodwill visit to Mangmetong Baptist Church on Wednesday. It is said that the great evangelist from Assam Godhula Brown had preached at Mangmetong in the late 19th century. Here too, the pastor’s team was given a warm reception by the church members. Er Temsu Wathi, President, explained in depth the vision and mission of the Assam Vallley Baptist Mission and emphasised the need for imparting Christian leadership training to the church workers in Assam and simultaneously start planting humans through opening up of residential school where scripture also can be taught to mould up the children. He believes that by planting humans through such schools for the native children will produce efficient leaders who can effectively work for their own people. He referred to the atrocities meted out to Naga missionaries working in Assam at different times due to social-religious intolerance. But once their own children grow up efficiently with solid Christian foundation, it will induce good return and bear fruit – he said.
The note added that Longrinungba, treasurer of Mangmetong Baptist Church narrated the life of Godhula and accorded a rich acknowledgement because he said – due to Godhula’s visit and preaching a century ago, the Mamngmetong villagers accepted Christ and celebrated Church centenary in January this year. J. Lolen Imchen, Pastor of Mangmetong Baptist Church had paid rich tribute to the Assam pastors for visiting the church and termed it historic as this is the first of its kind after Godhula’s visit in one hundred years. “We shall look forward for a meaningful partnership in furthering your mission and vision” J. Lolen said to the visiting delegates. Later all the delegates were feted with goodwill celebration luncheon.
Further the team visited Kumlong Baptist Church, Mokokchung. The note stated that it was a very memorable occasion. Ten families from Kumlong Baptist Church sponsored 10 Assam Valley pastors’ monthly salary. The salary sponsor family members and the pastors shared a moment together . Later, Rev Lima Jamir, Kumlong pastor interacted with the team followed by a small fellowship.
The Baptist Churches located in and around Assam-Nagaland border had formed this “Assam Valley Baptist Mission” initially comprising of 28 churches during July 2005 specifically to uplift the foundation of the already planted but sick Churches. Today, the Mission has a total of 49 churches.
In order to upgrade the basic foundations of the Pastors of these churches, Clark Theological College, Aolijen organized this special leadership development training program for Assam Valley Pastors at Clark from September 12 to 15 and co-sponsored by well wishers. The president and his colleagues of the Assam Valley Baptist Mission extend a big thank you to all the resource persons, CTC faculty, students, all the donor who has helped this event a big success. Not the least, but it also extends a big gratitude to the Mothers’ fellowship of Clark Theological College who had volunteered to endure the major expenses by providing healthy food to all the trainees throughout the session, the press note stated.
A total of 38 pastors including three women from Assam attended in the training, which was organised by the Clark Theological College, Aolijen and sponsored by well wishers. The topics that were covered during the training were: “Church administration, Pastor & pulpit, Pastor & family, preparation of Bible sermon with reference to the present day scenario, conducting different services, conflict management” etc were imparted to them. Rev. T. Sübong, former Kohima Ao Baptist Church Pastor & Molungyimsen Ebenezer Missionary, Rev. C. Bendang Jamir, Director, Generation Countdown Youth Ministry Dimapur, A. Tali Ao, Lecturer CTC, Rev. T. Yanger, PRO CTC and Rev. Dr. Takatemjen, Principal CTC had imparted the trainees, stated a press note issued by District Informatics Officer(NIC) Er. Temsu Wathi Ao, who is also the president of Assam Valley Baptist Mission
The note stated that the team also visited Ao Baptist Church Association (ABAM), Impur on Tuesday as a field visit cum exposure trip. The Assam Pastors were welcomed by the executive secretary and his colleagues followed by a short interaction. Welcoming the Assam pastors’ team, Rev. Dr. Mar Atsongchanger, Executive Secretary, ABAM thanked them for visiting the Nagaland’s oldest mission centre established by Dr E W Clark more than a century ago.
“The Christianity to the Naga hills was first brought by Godhula Brown from Sibsagar Assam and now it is the turn and duty bound for us to look back to Assam as Christians there need support” Mar said. He assured the Assam Valley Baptist Mission team for extending need based support at different milestones.
Later, the team visited Impur Baptist Church, the oldest church building in Nagaland constructed in 1936 by Rev. B.I. Anderson. The Assam pastors exchanged views and opinions with the church functionaries here in a very humble atmosphere. The pastors were impressed on learning the different ministries being taken up by this church. Rev R. Teka, Pastor of Impur Baptist church and I. Meren Pongen, Secretary, Church & Mission had initiated the interaction which was followed by goodwill refreshment arranged by the church members, it stated.
Also, the team paid a goodwill visit to Mangmetong Baptist Church on Wednesday. It is said that the great evangelist from Assam Godhula Brown had preached at Mangmetong in the late 19th century. Here too, the pastor’s team was given a warm reception by the church members. Er Temsu Wathi, President, explained in depth the vision and mission of the Assam Vallley Baptist Mission and emphasised the need for imparting Christian leadership training to the church workers in Assam and simultaneously start planting humans through opening up of residential school where scripture also can be taught to mould up the children. He believes that by planting humans through such schools for the native children will produce efficient leaders who can effectively work for their own people. He referred to the atrocities meted out to Naga missionaries working in Assam at different times due to social-religious intolerance. But once their own children grow up efficiently with solid Christian foundation, it will induce good return and bear fruit – he said.
The note added that Longrinungba, treasurer of Mangmetong Baptist Church narrated the life of Godhula and accorded a rich acknowledgement because he said – due to Godhula’s visit and preaching a century ago, the Mamngmetong villagers accepted Christ and celebrated Church centenary in January this year. J. Lolen Imchen, Pastor of Mangmetong Baptist Church had paid rich tribute to the Assam pastors for visiting the church and termed it historic as this is the first of its kind after Godhula’s visit in one hundred years. “We shall look forward for a meaningful partnership in furthering your mission and vision” J. Lolen said to the visiting delegates. Later all the delegates were feted with goodwill celebration luncheon.
Further the team visited Kumlong Baptist Church, Mokokchung. The note stated that it was a very memorable occasion. Ten families from Kumlong Baptist Church sponsored 10 Assam Valley pastors’ monthly salary. The salary sponsor family members and the pastors shared a moment together . Later, Rev Lima Jamir, Kumlong pastor interacted with the team followed by a small fellowship.
The Baptist Churches located in and around Assam-Nagaland border had formed this “Assam Valley Baptist Mission” initially comprising of 28 churches during July 2005 specifically to uplift the foundation of the already planted but sick Churches. Today, the Mission has a total of 49 churches.
In order to upgrade the basic foundations of the Pastors of these churches, Clark Theological College, Aolijen organized this special leadership development training program for Assam Valley Pastors at Clark from September 12 to 15 and co-sponsored by well wishers. The president and his colleagues of the Assam Valley Baptist Mission extend a big thank you to all the resource persons, CTC faculty, students, all the donor who has helped this event a big success. Not the least, but it also extends a big gratitude to the Mothers’ fellowship of Clark Theological College who had volunteered to endure the major expenses by providing healthy food to all the trainees throughout the session, the press note stated.
