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This undated image from the Assemblies of God church in Wokha shows what is stated to be members of the church attending devotional service outside the church.[/caption]
Dimapur, Jan. 6 (EMN): The church of Assemblies of God in Wokha town has appealed to the district’s administration to “relax the standing order and allow the congregation to worship freely and enjoy the fundamental rights guaranteed to the Indian citizen as enshrined in Indian Constitution.”
The church issued a press release on Sunday stating the request. According to media reports online, including multimedia shared by users on social networking sites such as Facebook, an alleged dispute in the leadership of the church reportedly led to the district administration locking the church on grounds of law and order.
According to the press release, the “faithful congregation” expressed displeasure at the order that was passed by the district administration restricting the members from entering the church’s premises “to worship God peacefully and carry out the normal church activities whereby curtailing the basic fundamental Rights to freedom of Religion given by the Indian Constitution under Art. 25, 26, 27 and 28.”
The church has appealed to the authorities “to relax the standing order and allow the congregation to worship freely and enjoy the fundamental rights.” The faithful congregation appeals to the Naga brethrens to remember in their prayers so that God’s wisdom prevails and deliver justice to the just.
This is also to notify the AG faithful congregation wokha that the Bonafide General Body Representatives (BGBRs) had submitted representation to the General Superintendent, AG East India (AGEI) Dimapur; Nagaland and Wokha District Administration on 29th and 24th Dec 2018 respectively and latter assured the representatives to look into the matter during the executives meeting.
Members of the church are said to have congregated outside the Assemblies of God church’s premises in Wokha to conduct Sunday devotional service on December 6. The press release stated that entry to the church premises has been restricted by the Wokha district administration since December 21.
An associate pastor of the Assemblies of God church Chandemo Ngullie in his sermon encouraged every faithful to “remain deeply rooted to Almighty God through prayer and fasting so that the present internal issues could be resolved and bring forth reconciliation among the leaders and sow seed of love, unity, peace and harmony.”
According to the press release, the pastor told the gathering that “people at times go through hardships, obstacles and pain, in order to enable us to get closer to God and understand the purpose and meaning of life.”
‘Our prayers shall be answered by God in His ways and times. Thus, he urged upon the faithful to have patience and continue fervently with their prayers,’ the updates stated.
During the Sunday service the members invoked God’s presence and wisdoms and concluded the service by praying for the church leaders, community and to “allow Holy Spirit to prevail over the present situation and deliver justice on time,” the updates stated.