Remembering Rev. Prof. Kelhizulo Lasuh

(21 October, 1954 – 14 July, 2020)

Rev. Prof. K. Lasuh (as he was popularly known) was a Christian minister who served God in different capacities. He breathed his last after battling with cancer. He spent his most and best ministry years at Baptist Theological College (BTC), Pfutsero, and made invaluable contributions to its progress. Prof. Lasuh first joined Baptist Theological College in 1975 when it was called Chakhesang Bible School and the medium of instruction was in Tenyidie. He was the headmaster from then till 1979. In 1976, during his headship, English was introduced as a medium of instruction and the institution was renamed Chakhesang Bible Institute. In 1979 he joined Eastern Theological College (ETC), Jorhat, as a ‘Promotional Secretary’ and from 1980-81 as a faculty. After two years of study leave for Masters of Theology in Old Testament, he returned to ETC to continue teaching. He was ordained by Chakhesang Baptist Church Council on May 3, 1987. 

In 1992, he returned to BTC and joined its faculty and later took charge as the academic dean. From 2002 onwards he took up the office of the principal till his retirement in April 2009. It is said that he had more years of service according to official age but he chose to declare his actual age and retire accordingly. He was conferred professorship in ‘Old Testament and Biblical Studies’ on Feb. 25, 2008 for his academic scholarship. He is acknowledged as the first Chakhesang to receive professorship in theological circle. After retiring from BTC, he served as the pastor of Kuzhami Baptist Church, Chumoukedima, and from February 2014 till his death, he was the executive director of the Khuzami Baptist Churches Association.

Many students and colleagues have been blessed by his life and service and have expressed their heartfelt sentiments. A former student of Prof. Lasuh writes, ”he is practical and simple in lifestyle, a real teacher both in the class and outside, a true servant of God. He had done so much; may we be blessed and continue to live like him and impact our world.” A former colleague said, “Death can never take away a good man, for in the hearts of people he inspired, the legacy remains and continues throughout the generations.” One former student said, “He was a soft spoken man who demonstrated maturity in times of sorrow and joy. We have lost a great theological teacher and a spiritual mentor.” Another student said, “He was a man who loved peace and justice, who acted justly, loved mercy, and walked humbly with God.”

All his former students and colleagues agree that Prof. Lasuh was a gentle and humble person, a fine example of a Christian, a dedicated servant of God, a father-figure, mentor, habitually well dressed, a great spiritual, and theological teacher.

His goodwill for BTC remained even after his retirement. He paid his last visit to the college around November last year and prayed for the principal and faculty members. It was a heartwarming gesture and reflects his sincere love and continual support for the college and the ministry of the Lord. CBCC in general and BTC in particular will continue to remember his good service and cherish his legacies. We bid him farewell with the words of one of his students, “Go well, adorable Sir.”