EMN
Dimapur, July 31
Former DoNER Minister Bijoy Krishna Handique, has graced the ninth Foundation Day celebration of the Assam Valley Baptist Mission (AVBM) by inaugurating a community hall specifically meant for the Christian community under the aegis of the AVBM at its Nakachari HQ today.
It is pertinent to mention that the community hall was constructed from his MP local area development fund during the period 2010-11 to 2013-14.
The daylong celebration has witnessed different Christian activities amongst from its 54 constituent churches. The program started with a silent prayer in honour of its three departed members namely its Finance committee member Imtiwabong, Vice President Mack Lawson and Pastor of Hemlai Bokulguri Baptist Church Late Binod Mandal. I Lolen Imchen, Pastor of Mangmetong Baptist Church was the speaker in the main function. Youth Director Kilang Aier, Deacons Wati Inchen and Imti accompanied him from Mangmetong Church.
The Assam Valley Baptist Mission (AVBM) is a common Baptist Christian venture initiated by about 28 Baptist Churches mostly independent churches located in the district of Jorhat, Sivasagar and Golaghat and bordering with Nagaland in the year 2005. Today, it has 54 constituent churches.
With an aim to help in spiritual growth of all the neighbouring churches in the surrounding by imparting true Christian education and living for upliftment by employing evangelists for nurturing the already planted but sick churches, the mission has succeeded employing two evangelists, a missionary and sponsoring few deserving pastors so far in partnership of sponsors received through Nagaland Missions Movement (NMM) Dimapur, Diphupar Ao Baptist Arogo, Dimapur, Kumlong & Mangmetong Baptist Churches in Mokokchung district, Kohima Ao Baptist Church (KABA), Clark Theological College Faculty & Students Union, Aolijen and individual volunteers with a great theme - “Go therefore and make disciples of all Nations”
While exhorting the congregation, Bijoy Krishna Handique expressed his happiness to see the construction of community hall getting completed which he promised during 2009. He assured that the government is there where any further need would be attended to for this mission. He observes that the mission is growing in a positive note and urged upon the members to uphold for further growth of this mission.
In the celebration Rupjyoti Kurmi, the MLA of Mariani also was present. In his goodwill, gesture towards this mission has assured to grant financial assistance from his local area development fund for the completion of the remaining works on this community hall.
I. Lolen Imchen, Pastor in his speech cited the example of love and affection taught in the Holy Bible that leads us to salvation. He revealed the true meaning of Mission in any Christian ministry. He praised the “Assam Valley Baptist Mission” for initiating this great endeavor with very limited resources but which is a perfect mixture of churches and people together wanting to achieve some positive goal in God’s ministry. It is a very constructive approach with a new initiative within the participating church – he told. He assured that his church congregation would assist this Mission in strengthening in spiritual bonding by every possible way.
Initially, Franklin Lawson, Recording Secretary of AVBM, felicitated the welcoming of guest. He acknowledged the sponsors received from various churches, associations and individual volunteers toward the mission. He thanked the former MP Lok Sabha B.K. Handique for generously assisting the mission for construction of the AVBM community hall and two more church community hall constructions from the MPLAD. On behalf of the mission, he further thanked Roupjyoti Kurmi, MLA, 101-Mariani Assembly Constituency for his generous assistance to 4 churches community hall construction under AVBM under the current fiscal.
Its president chaired the service and Moon Lawson pronounced vote of thanks. The house also acknowledged with thanks to those people who have wholeheartedly supported and prayer extended to the mission in celebrating this auspicious occasion by way of contributing in cash and in kind.
