Our Correspondent
Kohima, Dec. 19 (EMN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Sunday reflected on the love of God and His protection upon the people of the state throughout the year amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Given the crores of people affected by the pandemic worldwide, he said that His protection and blessings have been with the people throughout.
He was addressing the 50 years of Botsa Baptist Church at Botsa in Kohima district.
In his greetings, Rio called upon the members to forgive one another, live in peace and stand united to overcome ill forces that try to divide each other.
With Christmas around the corner, he called upon the people to re-dedicate oneself to God, live in the ways of Christ and love one another in the true spirit, despite all shortcomings.
While the celebration of a golden jubilee should be a joyous and thanksgiving occasion, it should also be an occasion for introspection and charting out new visions or horizons for the church's future ministry, Rio added.
In any society, there is always a need to forgive and forget, and start new relationships sans the burdens of the past. He called upon the people to try to use the jubilee for opening new chapters in their relationships.
He shared that the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Botsa Baptist Church was a memorable and nostalgic event for him and his family, especially because of the deep involvement of his late father G Rio in the establishment of the church. He expressed gratitude to the church for recognising the pioneering role his father played in the establishment of the church.
He also pointed out the significance of Botsa.
‘During the Naga struggle days, the armies had captured villagers in the region and kept them at Botsa, which was a dense forest back then. In fact the word Botsa was derived from the word “thick forest”. Gradually, people began to settle and things have changed in these 50 years,’ he said and also called upon the members to reflect on how far they have grown spiritually.
The chief minister also said that there were countless "overgrounds" (CSOs) and "undergrounds" (NPGs) in the state.
‘ They are "not listening" to one another and are going their own way. But, Nagas have to stand united. More so, in this crucial phase of Naga political solution which is to be arrived at,’ Rio said.
Rev. Dr. V Atsi Dolie, executive director of the Angami Baptist Church Council delivered the theme message "Shie Petoshülie", taken from the book of Zephaniah 3:14.
To become a healthy (spiritual) church, one must obey the word of God (The Bible), he said and encouraged the members to live an honest and sincere life.
Earlier, the chief minister unveiled the jubilee monolith and the new church building was also dedicated on the occasion of the golden jubilee.