The 112th annual conference of Nihang Karbi Baptist Association (NKBA) concluded at Antioch Baptist Church (BC) under Saphapani Area Baptist Fellowship (SABF) on Jan. 15.
Organised by NKBA and hosted by Antioch BC, the four-day religious gathering started on January 12 with theme, ‘Shoulder each other’s responsibilities (Galatia 6:2)’.
The speakers for the conference were Senior Pastor of Diphu BC, Rev. Dr. Solomon Rongpi; general secretary, Karbi Anglong Baptist Convention (KABC), Rev. Kamson Rongphar; Associate Pastor, Upper Dokmoka BC, Dr. Anderson Rongphar; and executive secretary, NKBA, Rev. Tenson Bey.
Out of 113 churches, delegates from 105 churches participated in the delegate session. The conference also witnessed the selection of the new president of NKBA, Rev. Dr. Solomon Rongpi and vice president William Singnar.
The NKBA Women Department has also chosen their new president, Rodina Teronpi and vice president, Dorothi Singnarpi, while the NKBA Youth department also got their new president Rajesh Rongpi, vice president, Philimon Millick and secretary Robinson Rongpi.
On the concluding day, five persons who have obtained their theological degrees were ordained as reverends. The candidates were Dr. Anderson Tokbi and Luke Rongphar of Upper Dokmoka BC; Abraham Taro of Langherang BC; Unique Terang of Kekang Adong BC and Aaron Teron, pastor of Lokhijan BC.
The ordination minister Rev. Dr. Solomon Rongpi charged the candidates to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. They were charged to take care of the members of the local churches and continue to study the bible thoroughly. The congregation was also charged by Rev. Benting Teron so that they support and pray to be newly ordained reverends.
A certificate of ordination and bible were also handed to them.
The ordination process was assisted by Rev. Davidson Engti; Rev. Shina Lekthe; Rev. Tenson Bey; Rev. Khoyasing Ronghang; Rev. Kamson Rongphar and Rev. Hilson Singnar.
With the ordination of five persons as reverends, the NKBA has now 13 reverends. The ordination service was witnessed by a large congregation.
Deputy Speaker, Assam Legislative Assembly, Dr. Numal Momin while applauding the huge turn up at conference highlighted about the schemes he implemented for the development of local churches in his LA constituency Bokajan.
The main speaker of the service Rev. Dr. Anderson Tokbi speaking on the theme, ‘Shouldering each other’s responsibility’ asked the faithful to support each other in every way and to live a life of prayer to ease the burden.
On the concluding day more than five thousand visitors attended.
During the four day event, praise and worship was led by the NKBA worship team.
AKBCLF choir, HBI, Upper Dokmoka BC choir teams and children of the Sunday School department of Antioch BC presented beautiful songs and skits.
The last service held in the evening was chaired by president, NKBA, Joseph Hanse and the message was delivered by Rev. Dr. Solomon Rongpi. The conference ended with the lowering of the NKBA flag and flags of respective churches by Pastors and church leaders. The NKBA flag was handed over to Hirhiri BC to host the 2024 annual conference.
Diphu, Jan. 17 (EMN)