EMN
Dimapur, November 15
School Education Department along with SCERT and Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) concluded the two-day pilgrimage tour by visiting Molungkimong village, the first Naga village which received the Gospel through Rev. Dr. EW Clark in 1872.
Led by the Minister for School Education & SCERT, Yitachu, and Commissioner & Secretary, FP Solo, the team were received at Molungkimong village gate by the leaders of village council and pastor of the church. The leaders explained about the village trade route to Assam, through which Dr. Clark arrived in Molungkimong village on December 18, 1872, escorted by 60 warriors and thus becoming the first gospel path in Nagaland. They were also shown the first Baptistery in Naga soil, a drinking well (called Chungli Tzübu) where Dr. Clark baptized 15 new Naga converts on December 22, 1872.
The team also witnessed the first Baptist Chapel of the nine converts baptized by Dr. Clark at Sibsagar on November 10, 1872. Walking the 170 stairs up to the Village Gate (Clark’s Gate), they offered prayer, where Dr. Clark had offered his prayer before entering the village.
They were also shown the chair and bath-tube which Dr. Clark used during his stay for eight months from March 2 till October 2, 1876.
Subsequently, the village council held a public meeting with the visiting pilgrim party at Molunkimong ground, wherein the education minister, Yitachu, called upon the gathering to preserve the Naga Christian Heritage. He urged upon the villagers to maintain the originality as it is a place of blessing for Naga people in general.
He also reiterated that Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) should take the initiative of declaring and recognizing Molungkimong and Molunyimsen as Naga Christian Heritage village so that people would take up pilgrimage and also get closer to God.
Stating that Myanmar Naga Baptist Convention had already declared the two villages as Naga Christian pilgrim village, the minister implored upon NBCC to initiate the same as it pertains to spiritual aspects, which the government cannot take up. Yitachu said the people desired to take up pilgrimage in order to get closer to God and receive the blessing and not to listen to the differences amongst the villages.
NBCC general secretary, Zelhou Keyho, said “Clark did not come to Nagaland to create division or in-fighting among the Nagas but to bring God’s grace and peace for us.” Acknowledging the appeal of the minister for recognition of the two villages as Christian Heritage Village, he said that efforts would be made to take the 22 executive secretaries of different church associations under NBCC to Molungyimsen and Molungkimong soon for better in-depth understanding.
Rev. Apostle Luoliehu Yimsong, founder of ‘Leaders Arise’ stressed on the need to maintain spiritual unity. He also stressed on the need to protect and promote the spiritual heritage for the glory of God.
Commissioner and Secretary for School Education & SCERT, FP Solo, thanked both the villagers of Molungyimsen and Molungkimong for making the pilgrimage tour a memorable and successful one.
Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Dr. Benjongliba Aier, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Industries & Commerce, Amenba Yaden, also spoke on the occasion.
