Our Correspondent
Aolijen (Mokokchung), June 8
An eight-day long training programme called the ‘Institute for Development of Leadership’, organized by the Baptist associations in Eastern Nagaland, has concluded Monday evening in the multipurpose hall of the college in Aolijen, in Mokokchung district. The event is a collaboration of the associations and Clark Theological College (CTC).
The participants were conferred certificates by the Clark Theological College at the valedictory service in the present of the executive secretaries of the six Baptist Associations from Eastern Nagaland.
The eight day event, which commenced on June 1, included seventy five lectures from different resource persons drawn in from different expertises. Altogether eighty five pastors from different Baptist churches from the eastern districts of Nagaland participated in the third edition of the event.The Executive Secretary of Chang Baptist Church Council, Ongmang, who was the main speaker at the valedictory programme, maintained to the participating pastors that “We are the chosen pastors and leaders in our generation”.
He said that the pastors were chosen and called out by God to be used as instruments for His glory. If one understands that he was a chosen person and fully committed himself to God’s work, the person would shine in his ministry, the church leader said.
Saying that he was once a political worker in his constituency, Ongmang however said that God called him out and showed that being in political path was not his true calling, and thereafter he chose God’s ministry.
In this connection, he said that all of us are given an assignment by God, and if we understand this assignment and do us his will, then we would bear much fruit and bring many lost soul towards God’s kingdom.
The CBLT’s executive secretary said that the villagers and the local churches are expecting so much from the participating pastors.
‘If we show a changed person through our words and actions (after attending this programme), then you would be a blessing,’ said Ongmang.
In this regard, he encouraged the participating pastors to be a chosen and called out, to be instrument of God, to carry many seeds of the gospel, to make their body become a temple of God and to understand that ‘we are not of our own’ so that the ministry grow.
The USLB Executive Secretary, Rev C Lima, while delivering the vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to the principal of CTC, Rev Dr Takatemjen (who is also an Honorary Consultant of the event) for his great contributions towards the IFDOL programme. He also acknowledged the Clark Theological College, its faculty and student volunteers for their immense help throughout the eight day programme.
He especially expressed deep gratitude to the different resource persons from diverse fields, for sparing their valuable time, energy and intellect in educating and enlightening the participants.
Later, program coordinator, Y NukluPhom, and Rev Dr Takatemjen gave away certificates to the participants. Also a ‘Lord’s Supper’ was held at the end of the program.
