Dimapur, Dec. 30 (EMN): Nagaland deputy chief minister and in-charge of Home and Road and Bridges, Y Patton, called upon the members of Nungying village Baptist Church (NBC) to forgive one another for the past misdeeds and move ahead in unity for all round development by seeking God's blessings.
Greeting NBC members on the occasion of its centennial jubilee celebration on December 30, Patton stated that Nungying is the 12th village out of more than 140 villages in the Lotha region to reach the 100 years milestone of Christianity. However, Patton lamented that the village lacked behind on all fronts including in religious lines, stated an update from the deputy CMO media cell.
Patton urged the congregation to forgive one another for the past misdeeds and move ahead in unity for all round development by seeking God's blessing. He also assured to sponsor two theologians from the village for a period of two years.
On the occasion, Patton also called upon the youngsters to opt for competitive examinations and stated that the primary focus of the youngsters should not be to depend on others but compete in order to earn through merit.
Patton also assured to sponsor two UPSC/NPSC aspiring needy candidates to undergo coaching for a period of two years. While encouraging the youngsters, Patton further assured to award a sum of INR 10 lakh to successful candidates of UPSC who clears IAS and IPS and a sum of INR 5 lakh to those securing EAC and DSP through open competition in NPSC exams.
The theme speaker of the celebration and pastor of Yikhum Baptist Church (YBC), Zanben Kithan called upon the congregation and the church leaders not to be "money oriented church and money minded church" stating that such church would not move ahead.
While stating that "our forefathers were illiterate but rich in God's knowledge,” he lamented that the church leaders and Christians today were blinded by the materialistic world. He, therefore, called upon the congregation to follow the footsteps of the forefathers and pioneers who have sacrificed and laid the foundation for the present generation.
He also reminded the congregation that jubilee was a celebration of what God has done to the people.
On the occasion, pastor of Okotso Baptist Church, Rev. O Yibomo Ngullie, said a prayer seeking blessing for the inhabitants of the village, while pastor of Yimkha Baptist Church, Rev. Renbomo Ngullie, said the jubilee offertory prayer. The service began with an invocation by pastor of Tsungiki Baptist Church, T Mhao Kikon.
Songs were also presented by the jubilee choir, Tsungiki Baptist Church choir and others.