Dignitaries and others during the launch of Thai–Nagaland Missions Platform Center in Northeast Thailand on September 5.
Kohima, September 5 (MExN): A significant milestone in international Christian cooperation was reached with the official opening of the Center for Thai–Nagaland Missions Platform Center at New Land Church, Nong On, Udon Thani, Thailand on September 5.
The center was officially unveiled by Rev Dr Chekrovei Cho-o, Executive Secretary, Chakhesang Baptist Church Council and Rev Dr Boonrat Buayen, President of Church of Christ in Thailand.
The inaugural dedication function was attended by around 150 church leaders from all over Thailand, alongside local believers and international volunteers, stated an update.
The delegation of church leaders representing the CBCC included Rev Dr Vikuo Rhi, Rev Vesavo Shijo, Rev Muluvoyi Nienu, Zapove Swüro, Jolai Nienu, Theyekhai Ringa, and Mhüsolü (Soso) Demo.
Established as a joint initiative between the Chakhesang Baptist Church Council (CBCC-NBCC) and Church District 13 of the Church of Christ in Thailand (CCT), the center marks the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership dedicated to rural community development, youth empowerment, and church ministry.
The daily operations and management of the new Center for Thai-Nagaland Missions Platform will be overseen by Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho and his wife, Santi Keyho.
In his address, Rev Keyho expressed his profound thanks to CBCC and extended deep appreciation to two key supporting local churches—Chakhesang Baptist Church Kohima and Chozuba Baptist Church—whose support and prayers were instrumental in realizing the project. He also honored the individual donors, friends, and family members who stood by the mission.
Reflecting on the journey to establish the center, leaders cited Exodus 33:15–16, emphasizing that the project grew from a profound conviction of God’s guidance in the mission fields of Northeast Thailand. What began as a vision has now materialized into a tangible ecosystem designed to serve local rural populations.
In its initial phase, the Center will directly serve local children and youth by offering conversational English classes, music lessons, recreational sports, skills-development activities, and a dedicated Sunday children’s church ministry.
To ensure sustainable growth, the Center will pursue its long-term mission partnership through six key strategic initiatives: Supporting local evangelists in evangelism, discipleship, and church planting under District 13, Developing future church leaders by providing theological education scholarships to promising young people under District 13 who dedicate themselves to rural ministry, Recruiting international volunteers from Nagaland to teach English in rural government village schools, Organizing exchange programs to strengthen relationships and cross-border cooperation between churches in Thailand and Nagaland, Expanding the rural model by encouraging other associations under the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) to replicate this framework across Northeast Thailand and Extending the missions platform network to other parts of the 10/40 Window, focusing heavily on neighboring countries in Southeast Asia.
Rev Keyho offered special acknowledgment to Elder Anan Nakdilok (President of the Executive Committee of Church District 13), Rev Siae Suthisan (former President of Church District 13 and President of New Land Church), and Dr Prawet Kidarn for their pivotal roles in building the relationship between the two communities.
“God has not sent us here merely to visit,” organizers stated during the dedication. “He has called us to work together for lasting and meaningful transformation,” it stated.
