NBC Kohima three-day Golden Jubilee concludes

KOHIMA, AUG 2 (NPN): The three-day Golden Jubilee celebration of Nepali Baptist Church (NBC), Kohima concluded on Sunday with a thanksgiving-filled valedictory service, during which church leaders called upon believers to remain faithful to God and continue building on the strong spiritual foundation laid over the past five decades.
The concluding day’s morning Jubilee Devotion Service was led by Dr. Gopal Basnet Chetri, Convener of the Organising Committee and Chairman of the Board of Deacons, while the jubilee message was delivered by Rev. Dr. Rachülie Vihienuo, Executive Director of the Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC).
Preaching from Joshua 24 in line with the jubilee theme verse, Rev. Dr. Vihienuo said he appreciated the pioneers of Nepali Baptist Church Kohima for laying a firm spiritual foundation for the congregation. He said the Golden Jubilee was an opportunity for the church to revisit its past, remember the sacrifices of its former leaders and reflect on God’s unwavering faithfulness throughout its 50-year journey.
Describing NBC Kohima as a matured church, he said that after 50 years it was no longer a time to remain spiritually immature, but a time to grow in wisdom and grace while serving the Lord. He remarked that looking back at the church’s history was appropriate because its journey had been nothing short of God’s grace.
He urged believers to serve the Lord with all faithfulness, saying they should remember God’s blessings, accept His grace and remain rooted in Christ, whom he described as the only way, the truth and the life. He further exhorted members to turn away from every form of idolatry and serve God wholeheartedly, expressing confidence that God’s blessings in the years ahead would be certain if they remained faithful to Him.
The morning service also included scripture reading from Psalm 103:1-2, greetings by founding member Loknath Sharma and Thungdeno Mezhür Sekhose, a reminiscence presented by the Souvenir Committee, special presentations by the Jubilee Choir and Zeme Baptist Church, Kohima, and a prayer reaffirming the Silver Jubilee 2001 theme and the church motto, “To Reach the Unreached.” The service concluded with a jubilee feast.
The celebration culminated with the Valedictory Service in the afternoon, led by Moon Thapa, Secretary of the Organising Committee, during which the valedictory message was delivered by Visato Yhoshü, Pastor of Union Baptist Church, Kohima.
The service began with an invocation by Chupaman Rai, followed by scripture reading from 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 in Nepali by Nil Tamang, Evangelist, Amsingh Jorabat, Assam, and in English by Rachel Thapa.
Greetings were conveyed by Thejao Vihienuo, President of the Angami Public Organisation (APO), and Rev. Muktinath Sharma, former Pastor of Nepali Baptist Church Kohima, while special praise was presented by the Jubilee Choir and Union Baptist Church, Kohima.
In his valedictory message, Pastor Visato Yhoshü said the church should remain firmly rooted in God’s Word, walk in unity and continue bearing witness to Christ through faithful service and Christian living.
The valedictory service concluded with the singing of the Jubilee Hymn, followed by words of gratitude delivered by Narayan Bahadur, Co-Convener of the Organising Committee, and the benediction pronounced by Elizabeth Giri. A fellowship dinner marked the close of the three-day celebration.
The Golden Jubilee celebrations, held from July 31 to August 2 under the theme, “And Forget Not All His Benefits,” brought together pastors, church leaders, members and guests from across Nagaland and neighbouring states in thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness over the past 50 years while renewing the church’s commitment to its mission in the years ahead.