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Ed Citronnelli addresses believers during the Sumi Healing Festival, on November 17 at the Agri Expo in Dimapur. Photo by Vito Sumi[/caption]
Our Reporter
Dimapur, Nov. 17 (EMN): The three-day Sumi Healing Festival concluded on November 17 with thousands of people attending the service at the Agri Expo in Dimapur.
The festival was organised by the Western Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu (WSBAK) with the theme 'Heal us, oh Lord.'
American pastor Ed Citronnelli of the World Healing International Ministries was the main speaker of the programme.
In his sermon Citronnelli said Naga youths are the future of Nagaland and they will 'shake this nation' through Christ. The pastor prophesised that the people in Nagaland will become leaders of the country and many of the youths will hold important positions.
According to the preacher, the Lord Almighty has asked, 'Why are the youths in the background of the churches when they are supposed to lead the church from the front.' In his special prayer for the youths, the pastor prayed blessings on the youths that they will be baptised with the Holy Spirit, and they will rise and slay evil like David slew Goliath.
The co-convenor of the Festival, Y Kikheto Sema also spoke at the programme. Sema explained the objectives behind organising the event. He said the Naga society, particularly the Sumi community, has been rife with conflict among its different sections and so even within the church workers themselves.
Likewise, many people lost their lives not to sickness but to fratricide, he said. Sema said the reason behind organising the healing festival was to ask God for forgiveness for all the community’s wrongdoings in the past and to do away with the hatred and jealousy among the Sumi community.
A special prayer for the community was led by WSBAK executive secretary Rev. Dr. Hevukhu Achumi. He urged the Sumi people to unite and seek the blessings of God to move forward.