H. CHISHI
Kohima, Apr 12 : The Nagaland Baptist Church Council has invited all non-Christian religious organisations here to attend its platinum jubilee celebrations from April 19-22.
The move is significant as never before in the history of Naga churches have non-Christian religious organisations been invited to participate in church congregations.
“We want them to come and share the blessings of God. God loves us despite our shortcomings and weaknesses,” NBCC president Rev. Keviyiekielie Linyu said.
The largest Baptist Church in Nagaland said all religions worshipped one God and all were equal before God. “God loves us equally, be it Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian or Buddhist,” Linyu said.
The NBCC has also invited other churches to attend the celebrations. The celebrations will be attended by tens of thousands across the country and around 300 delegates from abroad. Apart from Nagaland, people from Myanmar, the US, Denmark, Thailand, Japan and over 80 church associations from the Northeast and the rest of the country will attend the celebrations.
“These celebrations shou-ld bring blessings to all citize-ns of Nagaland,” Linyu said.
Baptist Church associations will put up ethnic food stalls during the celebrations. However, the most sought after Naga delicacy, animal meat, will be missing as the NBCC has banned serving of wild animal meat during church programmes and gatherings.
Acknowledging the contributions of NBCC pioneers, Linyu said Christianity had brought a unique identity for Nagas. Church education is another major factor that has transformed the Nagas, he said, adding that 115 schools run by Baptist church impart education to needy students in Nagaland today and most officers at the helm of power were products of Christian schools in the state.
Linyu said the Indo-Naga ceasefire of September 6, 1964, initiated by the Peace Mission of NBCC, was a major achievement of the church. The NBCC still plays a major role in brokering peace and unity among Naga militant factions. It has formed peace committees in all the districts, which will also see that there is no violence during the celebrations. The NBCC has also appealed to the factions to shun violence on the occasion.
The NBCC has collected Rs 1 crore for the celebrations from 1,153 Baptist churches in the state. A convention hall, financed by the state government, the NEC and the Union ministry of minority affairs, has also been constructed at a cost of Rs 3 crore.