Gorkha Baptist Church Kiphire celebrates New Year with a special morning service.
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DIMAPUR — The Gorkha Baptist Church Kiphire celebrated the New Year with a special morning service marked by worship, prayer, and reflection.
Before the formal programme commenced, the congregation was led into a time of worship by ‘Blaze to Glory,’ an update stated.
Following the worship time, the moderator initiated the programme with scripture readings from Jeremiah 2 Corinthians 5:17, after which he briefly highlighted the order and significance of the service.
The programme began with the hymn ‘How great thou art,’ followed by the invocation prayer offered by Kirtaman Gurung. Sunil Chettri and Biru Sunar read from the book of Nehemiah Nepali and English, respectively.
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This was followed by songs of praise presented by the youth department and general department.
The offertory and sanctification prayer was conducted by Bimal Khadka.
The speaker, Dr. Bhim Sapkota, pastor of Gorkha Baptist Church Kiphire, delivered an inspiring sermon on the theme ‘A year to rebuild and restore,’ emphasising God’s unfailing power to rebuild broken lives, relationships, and communities.
Taking reference from the book of Nehemiah, Dr. Sapkota explained how Nehemiah, upon hearing about the ruined walls of Jerusalem, responded with fasting, prayer, and total dependence on God.
He highlighted that the rebuilding of the walls was not achieved through human strength alone, but through God’s divine guidance, wisdom, and strength.
He reminded the congregation that God’s work often requires patience. He stated that not all prayers are answered immediately, and not all walls rise overnight. However, he assured believers that prayer never fails, and what prayer begins, God faithfully completes in His perfect time.
Using biblical illustrations, Dr. Sapkota encouraged believers to remain steadfast despite opposition and challenges. He cited Noah, who faced ridicule while obeying God; David, who confronted the giant Goliath with faith; Jesus, who endured the cross for the salvation of mankind; and Nehemiah, who faced enemies, mockery, and threats while rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. In every case, he emphasised that obedience and perseverance led to God’s victory and fulfilment of His purpose.
The speaker further stated that believers today are no exception to trials and temptations. Challenges, discouragement, and resistance are part of the Christian journey, but followers of Christ are called to continue the work of Jesus without giving up.
He exhorted the church not to stop rebuilding because of negative words, past failures, or people’s opinions, reminding them that God’s calling is greater than human criticism.
Concluding his message, Dr. Sapkota declared that when God initiates a work, no opposition can stop it. He encouraged the congregation to enter the new year with renewed faith, commitment to prayer, and confidence in God’s restoring power, believing that the same God who rebuilt Jerusalem is still rebuilding lives today.
The programme, which also featured a cultural dance by the children's ministry, concluded with a benediction led by Arang Sapkota.