CLOUD OF WITNESSES

Name: Rev. Prof. AKHETO SEMA.

Current work title: General Secretary.
Current work organization: Council of Baptist Churches in North East India
(CBCNEI).
ABFMS and ME
My acquaintances and association with the ABFMS friends and
Missionaries.

My first personal association and friendship with the ABFMS personnel

started in Eastern Theological College (ETC), Jorhat, back in 1974 as a
student in the college. ETC is a project of the Council of Baptist Churches
in North East India (CBCNEI) for imparting Theological education. There
were few Missionary medical doctors and theological teachers like, George
Gillespie and Charlotte, Dr. Dodgson and Sally, Fred and Mary Downs.
Then in 1979 I had American Baptist Missionaries friends staying in Hong
Kong in the person of late Rev. Lorin Noren, Rev. Keith Tennis and Miss
June Sutton from Australia. They helped me to get into Hong Kong Baptist
College and Chung Chi Chinese University for Music studies. I was
sponsored by the Board of International Ministries (BIM), USA.
Later, I met an American couple, Dr. Bob Mitchell and Kay Mitchell, a
professor in American Baptist Seminary of the West, Berkeley, CA, who
took keen interest in my music studies promised me that upon their return
to USA, they will find a place in the seminary to do MA in Religion with
major in Church music. That’s how I landed in Berkeley, CA in 1980 and
again sponsored by the BIM. During my stay in the USA, I visited Rev.
Bengt Anderson the first ABFMS missionary to the Sumi tribe of Nagaland.
The longest association and friendship that I continue to have is in the
person of Rev. Dr. Benjamin S. L. Chan, Area Director for East and South
Asia of International Ministries/USA. I guess from the 90’s I come to know
about him as he had to travel quite regularly to India and in North East in
particular. More closely knowing him and associating with him in
connection with the CBCNEI Ministries and CBCNEI historical connection
with IM-ABC. I also had an opportunity to attend the World Mission
Conference in 1982 and 2022 and visited the office in Valley Forge and
met key leaders in the office. I also had the opportunity to be part of the
Board of American Baptist Foreign Mission Legacy Trust as chairman.
Indeed, it a great joy and privilege to partner between CBCNEI and IM.

My Ministerial Experiences.

Phase One: Teaching Ministry: 25 years of teaching in theological

colleges. From 1982-1986 as a lecturer in Eastern Theological College
(ETC) and from 1989-2009 at Clark Theological College as Dean.
Phase Two: Administrative work as Principal in ETC, Jorhat from 2010-
2019.
ETC was going through very difficult time due to internal problems.
As Principal of the college for 9 years, my top priority was to settle the
internal issues the college was struggling with. With God in the struggle
and with His help, things slowly began to take good shape as the
members in the campus began to understand and cooperate with one
another, and today, the college is in good hands. Praise the Lord!
Another priority in the college as the Principal was the Campus
Development. For this, I had to travel intensively visiting individuals,
churches and organizations mostly within the CBCNEI families soliciting
financial help to develop the college campus. By and by the following
development could be made possible like, Campus Roads, foot-paths,
Mess hall and Kitchen, Library, renovation of old Chapel, women
hostel, Clean Water Supply, ETC Nursery, Faculty Lounge and
class rooms, Eco-friendly Campus Beautification etc. Certificate
of Society Registration from the Government of Assam which is a
mandatory could be acquired; change of nomenclature for teachers
from ‘lecture’ to ‘Assistant Professor’ and the senior faculty to
‘Associate Professor’ was introduced; Master in Arts in Holistic Child
Development and Doctor of Theology were introduced. And lastly, but not
the least, an award was instituted naming “Professor Akheto Sema
Music Award”, to leave behind my legacy in the college.

Phase Three: Administrative work as head of the Council of

Baptist Churches in North East (CBCNEI).
This is a continuation of my ministry under the Council. I was invited to
the CBCNEI Office as the General Secretary from May 2019. On taking
over the office, I had to handle Court Cases on land issues; CBCNEI
Hospitals; lockdown due to Covid Pandemic resulting to set-back of
income to the Council and had to go post to pillar to raise fund to meet
the need of the Council especially for staff salary and other developmental
works. I must thank the Board of International Ministries/ABC for grants
made possible during the given situation; raised Scholarship for secular
students from CEF, Kassel, Germany. Students continue to receive
scholarship. FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) of the Council
renewed for 5 year. The Council continue to involve in the Manipur
conflict situation, extending all possible help.
Thus, my involvement in the Council of Baptist Churches in North East
India completes 19 years. This is my brief stories which God made it
possible. All praise to God and churches under the CBCNEI, IM-ABC and
other partners.

My Family
My wife Mrs. Kuholi Akheto Chishi, retired as Director of Higher Education
under Government of Nagaland, a deacon in local church, a Board
member in the secular and theological education forum and in literature
work. Son Pito Samuel Sumi works in a Special Home for Juvenile children
as Superintendent under the Social Welfare department of the
Government of Nagaland. Takes care one of sibling children-niece and
nephew.

Rev. Prof. Akheto Sema

February 8, 2024.

Rich Young Ruler

(Mark 10:17 ff)

1. Eager to see Jesus ( Like Zacchaeus in Luke 19)

2. Humble though with status
(Kneeling before Jesus)
3. Reverence for Jesus
(Addressing Jesus ‘Good Teacher’)
4. Religious & Spiritual
(Following the commandment from his youth)
5. He knew he was lacking something (not very sure
whether his religiosity is enough to get salvation)
Something is missing in his life. (i.e; The Eternal life)
*He had an earthly security but no heavenly security- salvation
*He had head knowledge of religious teaching, rituals, practices
*But no spiritual experience

1. We must experience Jesus

***My testimony***
Being a second/third generation Christian
Born and brought up in a Christian family
Years of attending SS
Church activities
NOT ENOUGH to experience God’s love
Experiencing God in our lives is a must

2. To follow Jesus need to forgo four things

1. Status
2. Power
3. Security
4. Reduced to an ordinary person (humility)
Our priority should be: Matthew 6:33 “…But seek ye first…”
Brother Sundar Singh Sangma… 4 groups of people.

Enjoy youthful life but do not be reckless

Enjoy youthful life but do not waste it
Enjoy youthful pleasures but prepare for God’s judgment
Enjoy God’s gift for His glory and blessings to one another

Besides my ministerial experiences as mentioned above, I also have been

actively involved in the following ministries: Student Christian Movement
of India; Member of Micah Network International dealing with HIV & AIDS
advocacy and Integral mission in Chiang Mei, Thailand, Genting, Malaysia,
Kathmandu, Nepal; Member of Continuing Education of the Christian
Conference of Asia in Taipei, Taiwan meeting; Chartered Member of Global
LEAD Alliance in Nairobi, Kenya and Johannesburg, South Africa; Professor
of Christian Religious Education for Social Change and Practical Theology
for 25 years in Theological Colleges under Senate of Serampore
College/University; a member and former Chairperson of North East India
Community Relief and Development (NEICORD); a member of the
Commission on Theological Education of Baptist World Alliance (BWA);
Chancellor of North East Christian University (NECU); Core Member of the
India Mission Coordination Committee; 7 Members Core Committee for
Baptist Unity in India; First President of the National Council of Baptist
Churches in India (NCBCI); Coordination Committee of the Indian Christian
Day-North East Region; Executive Committee member and Personnel
Committee member of Christian Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA); Board
& Society member of Evangelical Fellowship of India for Commission on
Relief (EFICOR); President of United Christian Forum North East India
(UCFNEI); Senator & Church Representative of Senate of Serampore
College/University.
My experience of the covid situation: The covid
pandemic hit the world in year 2020 which took away
many loved ones, leaving behind the families, friends
and the communities with pains and sorrows; it hit
the economic sectors, impacting the individuals,
families, corporate organizations including the
governments, leaving behind untold miseries, hunger,
jobless especially the poorer sections of the people and
disorientation in work places.
It impacted the people emotionally, mentally leading to
depressions, anxieties, worries and fears and change of
life-styles; spiritually it was an acid test of our faith in
God and in His promises; challenges in our missions
and ministries; disturbed our traditional and practices
of Christian worship and fellowship.

However, on the other hand, it also brought some

positive results leading us into new set of perspectives.
It made us to think seriously about life, its brevity, the
hope beyond the temporal and the value and purpose
of living; family life was more valued and cherished
than before; believers in Christ enhanced prayer life, on
their knees asking God's Hand in the situation and also
to content the disease; the Church leaders including
the theological community had to rethink its mission
and ministry from a holistic perspective calling for Good
Samaritan approach in the given covid pandemic
context.

There was a brief respite from covid and people took

for granted that it is over. But 2021 brought more
shocking situation by the so-called the covid 'second
wave'. Its impact in India is so strong that death toll is
heavy on men and women irrespective of religions,
colors, caste, communities and gender.
The untold miseries upon the bereaved families, the
fears, worries and depressions impacted so many
people. In the midst of the horrible covid situation our
faith is again tested. The role of the church is tested.
The church at this juncture cannot be a silent spectator,
passive, complacent and irresponsible anymore
towards what is happening. Some of us respond to the
issue as, 'God is in control and He will see us through.
Keep fasting and praying in your closets', whereas,
people are dying outside of our four-wall.
Our neighbours, families, friends, men and women
known and unknown, are dying and suffering.
In this extreme time of covid situation, spiritual
approach, emotional statements and theologizing the
covid cannot be the answer unless we give serious
attention to the social Gospel as well. Here, loving God
and loving our suffering neighbours are very important.
As James says,"...faith without work is dead" (James
2:26), the church must reach out to people in need.
Indeed, the churches under the Council are carrying
outa yeoman service to covid victims. Our thanks and
appreciation goes to the churches. It reflects a holistic
approach to the ministry God has
entrusted to us.
The expert says about the possibility of the third covid
wave. God forbid that it should come but on our part
we need to be prepared for it should it come. The
experiences from the two waves taught us hard lessons
and we could not effort to ignore and be complacent to
the warning. We were all called to be responsible
people in taking care of self, family, church members
and be ready to extend our helping hands to the people
in times of need during the covid time.
By end of 2020, the activities of the Council resumed.
The followings are the activities I could involve after the
Covid:
God’s call to ministry: As an end-note, I would like to share
with you, the readers, that God has a purpose for each and
everyone. He created us all for a purpose. You and I are not
just simply kept on the earth for the sake of living and die.
Long ago it was Church Father Augustine who said that, we
are created by God to live for Him. The chief purpose of
human is to live for God and Him alone.
My call to ministry started way back in the late 70’s when I
was in Wokha. As a young man, I had to travel to villages in
Lotha area to sing and share my testimonies; involvement in
Church choir; Youth President in Wokha Town Church; a
member of Wokha Town Church Choir to sing in the Billy
Graham Crusade in Kohima in 1972 and so and so on. Who
knew that my parents will settle in Wokha Town though they
could not stay for life and I had my school education,
involvement in the church activities/ministries/ baptized in the
same church by my pastor Rev. Yankey Patton, and real
experience in knowing Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour- a
My ministry is limited to theological education. God has
given us different gifts (Romans 12:6-7) and I believe my gift
lies in teaching ministry and administrative works. I have
never involved in pastoral work in the local church. I am not a
missionary by profession but yes, teaching and equipping the
students is also a missionary work as students are sent to their
respective ministries and into the mission fields.
I had several students within the region, the mainland,
Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh who could be given theological
education in order to enable them get into various Christian
ministries and missions. Today, many of them are leaders in
their respective places holding important leaderships.
Basically I am an academician, a theological teacher and later
part of my life, ended as Principal/administrator in a
theological college and General Secretary of the Council of
Baptist Churches in North East India (CBCNEI). As an
academician, my sole purpose is to teach, train and mentor my
students for ministerial formation. In my 34 years of teaching
and mentoring students in a theological colleges, my struggle
was how to prioritize the four kinds of theological formations,
i.e., academic, ministerial, spiritual and relational. I had to
juggle from one to another according to the theological
orientations that I had to go through in the institutions where I
had my knowledge.
My ministry in ETC, Jorhat ended in April 2019 after having
served for 9 years. And by term I was to leave the office by
April 2020 to complete 10 years. But God in His own way,
open the way for me to serve in the CBCNEI headquarters in
Panbazar, Guwahati from May 2019. God works in a
mysterious ways.
Court case between GBC and CBCNEI:
M.O.U. between CBCNEI and Seven Sisters
International:The MOU between the CBCNEI and Seven
Sisters International is renewed. There is no major change in
the MOU. We will continue to maintain the status till the
SSCHG stand on their own. The EC in its meeting on 6 th July
2020 has approved with few changes to be made.

M.O.U between CBCNEI and APFaid:

CBCNEI budget for 2020-2021: Christian Education Fund
Scholarship: We wanted to raise scholarship for secular
student mainly targeting our students in the Tyrannus Hostel
in Shillong, Lewis Memorial Hostel, White Memorial Women
hostel, NECU, Nursing schools. I wrote to an organization
called Christian Education Fund in Kassel, Germany. The
fund of Euro 8000 was granted and twenty selected students
are receiving the scholarship.

To increase the room tariff in CCC and canteen food: The

council secretaries had a discussion on raising the room tariff
and food served in the canteen. But this matter cannot be
addressed now due to the situation.

Renewal on Aizuto Mission Land :This is to inform the

members that the land lease on Aizuto Mission Centre is
renewed for another twenty years w.e.f., 2020 till 2040.

ETC and NECU status/situation: With the current situation

due to covid pandemic, two of our institutions are closed with
indefinite status. ETC could not contact the final Senate
examinations, no college graduation could be conducted, new
admission process is kept under suspension, college fees that
comes from both the old and new students are withheld and
financial constraint has become matter of serious concern for
the college. NECU is in a similar situation.

CLC Golden Jubilee: On 5th November 2019 Christian

Literature celebrated the Golden Jubilee with grand success.
The function took place in the LM Hostel auditorium.

The following year (2020) was challenging to the CBCNEI

because of the covid pandemic. The Council had to face
difficult times. One of the challenges was in the finance
sector. The Council’s main source of income from the
Conference Centre, Canteen and commercial buildings rentals
with the exception of SBI office, were closed since the month
of March 2020.
The Budget presented by the Finance Secretary Mr. Vikato
Shikhu showed a grim picture of the financial position of the
Council. The deficit was reflected with much apprehension.
One of the measures to bring down the deficit amount, the
staff on contract were asked to take leave without salary. The
assurance given to them was that they will be called back to
work once the situation improves. The salary for the
regularized staff including the Secretaries is paid upto June in
full and beyond that 15% deduction of the salary till date
(April 2021).
The Finance Secretary and I had the office for an hour in the
gate and had to sent back the staff. On 16 th June 2020 I and
Mr. Vikato Shikhu, Finance Secretary, returned to Guwahati
with permission from the Dimapur administration to travel to
Assam. With few staff in the office, we could run the office.
With the lock down in Guwahati, staff staying in the city
could not come for office work. Only few staff inside the
campus could carry out some of the activities including staff
get together for worship every morning in the conference hall.

Court case between GBC and CBCNEI:

The Challenges I had to face in my ministry in the

CBCNEI.
One cannot escape from them. With God in the fire, wind and
storm, I could carry out my ministry. The first big challenge
was the Covid pandemic of 2020-2021 which stopped the
activities of the Council. All our revenues were stopped, no
money could be realized from the sources we have. With
empty hands, we could start the activities from the end of
2021.
With much financial constraints and liabilities we could pull
on the Council’s activities. Most of the staff had to be
confined at homes. The secretaries and some staff had to be
sent to their respective homes outside of Assam for almost
half month. The salary of the staff had to be cut-down to 50%
per month which had to be reimbursed after we started getting
some revenues from Canteen and guest rooms.
The other challenge was the Court case between Guwahati
Baptist Church and the Council. It’s almost a decade this
matter is still not settled.
The same was with Christian Literature Service (CLC).
Another challenge that I had to face is the conflict between
the Meiteis and the Kukies which erupted in the first week of
May 2023.
In this connection, as the president of the United Christian
Forum in North East India and President of the National
Council of Baptist Churches in India I had to involve in
sending out appeal letters. (More information to be added on
this issue)
An appeal letter was circulated in general for peace and
communal harmony in the state and letter to the Chief
Minister. Relief works were carried out in terms of giving
food and other essential items to the displaced people staying
in different camps under the security given by the Military
and para-military personnel. Relief works were carried out
through our Regional partner, i.e., Manipur Baptist
Convention (MBC). The relief materials could be sent through
Nagaland border passing Mao area to Senapati where goods
were stored in a godown.
Our MBC staff could take the materials to the displaced
people in different camps, reaching out all people who were
affected. The Council had to raise funds from individuals,
churches and organizations both within and outside of the
country. The CBCNEI close partner, the International
Ministry of the American Baptist Churches worked closely
with the Council on Relief works and contributed US$10,000
(Ten Thousand). We received funds from others for the same
purpose. The India Mission Coordination Committee (IMCC)
donated Rs. 3 lacs for the Relief through the CBCNEI.
Several individuals, churches, associations and conventions
extended financial help. The total amount received was
Rs................................................................................................
...................We also had to work with the Asia Pacific Baptist
Federation and Baptist World Alliance in this matter.
From the Kuki Baptist Convention, the General Secretary and
his staff came to my office and we had a time sharing
especially listening to the first hand information about the
conflict in Manipur. They were kept in the camps for 4 day
just open space without proper food and shelter. We had the
opportunity to listen to their painful experiences. It was
unofficial visit and sent them after lunch together in the
canteen. The cabinet secretaries were very understanding and
cooperated in handling the situation. Together we could carry
out the yeomen services to the displaced people.

CURRICULUM VITAE
Educational Background/Qualifications.
Bachelor of Theology (BTh) at Eastern Theological College.
Special studies in Music specialization Music theories and voice in Hong Kong
Baptist College and Chung Chi Chinese University.
Master of Arts (MA) with special studies in Church Music in Theological
Seminary of the West, Berkeley, San Francisco Theological Seminary, San
Anselmo, California, USA.
Bachelor of Divinity (BD) at ETC, Jorhat, Assam.
Master of Theology (MTh) with special studies in Christian Ministry and
Mission in Union Biblical Seminary, Pune, Maharashtra.
Doctor of Theology (DTh) in Christian Religious Education with special
reference to Paulo Freire’s Education for Social Transformation at South Asia
Theological Research Institute (SATHRI) and United Theological College
(UTC), Bangalore, Karnataka.
Post-Doctoral Research Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena,
Southern California, USA.

A. Past Ministerial Experiences:

Student Christian Movement of India.
Member of Micah Network International dealing with HIV & AIDS advocacy
and Integral mission in Chiang Mei, Thailand, Genting, Malaysia, Kathmandu,
Nepal.
Member of Continuing Education of the Christian Conference of Asia in Taipei,
Taiwan meeting.
A Chartered Member of Global LEAD Alliance in Nairobi, Kenya and
Johannesburg, South Africa.
Professor of Christian Religious Education for Social Change and Practical
Theology for 25 years in Theological Colleges under Senate of Serampore
College/University.
Principal/Administrator at Eastern Theological College under Senate of
Serampore College/University, Jorhat, Assam for 9 years.
B. Current Ministries:
A member and former Chairperson of North East India Community Relief and
Development (NEICORD).
A member of the Commission on Theological Education of Baptist World
Alliance (BWA).
Chairperson of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Legacy Trust
(ABFMLT).
Chancellor of North East Christian University (NECU).
A Core Member of the India Mission Coordination Committee (IMCC,
International Ministries, USA).
7 Members Core Committee for Baptist Unity in India.
The first President of the National Council of Baptist Churches in India
(NCBCI).
Coordination Committee of the Indian Christian Day-North East Region.
Executive Committee member and Personnel Committee member of Christian
Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA).
Board & Society member of Evangelical Fellowship of India for Commission
on Relief (EFICOR).
President of United Christian Forum North East India (UCFNEI).
Senator & Church Representative of Senate of Serampore College/University.
General Secretary of Council of Baptist Churches in North East India
(CBCNEI), one of the CCA Member Churches and Councils.
Dear Rev. Don,
Greetings from CBCNEI to you and all the members of FNECU
coming to North East India next month.
Now, here’s the final arrangement for your coming to
Guwahati on 1st February. The CBCNEI will take care of your
lodging and food, picking up from Guwahati airport (two
different arrival timings) on 1st February. We are going to put:
Paul Wood, Morna, Linda Lund, Brian Scar, Ruth Scar,
Gregory Ng, Sebastian Ng, Peter Amarcost, Don Ng in SUI
Hotel inside CBCNEI campus which will be more comfortable.
It is a new 3 star hotel opened recently. All of you will be taken
care (FREE) by CBCNEI during your stay with us. Am I
missing any of the members? I wish Mar Imsong and his wife
Ben are in the group. Their coming to Guwahati will be late
and by the time they reach Tura it will be late at night, reach
Tura around 10:00 pm. Should there be any change of their
arrival in Guwahati let me know.
Take good rest on 1st night. The next day the 2nd, 8:00 am
Breakfast in the CBCNEI canteen. After breakfast, we will
have fellowship with you and your group and the CBCNEI staff
at 9:00 am in the Conference hall. There will be a little formal
gathering where Rev. Don will take the devotion followed by
sharing from both sides. Lunch will be served in the CBCNEI
canteen around 11:30 am and prepare for travel to Tura at
1:00 pm. The GBC will send three vehicles to take ten of you
(including AaronKilbourne) to Tura.
Praying for you and safe journey. Keep in touch.

Akheto

Friends of North East Christian University (FNECU)

The team consists of 9 members to stay in SUI Hotel on 1st

February (one night only)

Double Rooms:
1. Brian Scar
2. Ruth Scar

1. Paul Wood
2. Morna Paul

1. Gregory Ng
2. Sebastian Ng

Single Rooms:

1. Peter Amarcost
2. Don Ng
3. Linda Lund
P.S: CBCNEI will pay their stay for one night. Breakfast and
lunch will be served from CBCNEI Canteen.

To
Rev. Dr. Tagang Gelo
17.01.2024
General Secretary
Nishi Baptist Church Council
Mission Centre, Model Village
P.O. Naharlagun, Dist. Papumpare,
Arunachal Pradesh-791110
India

Subject: Acknowledgement letter for the generous

contribution to National Council of Baptist Churches in India
(NCBCI).

Dear Rev. Dr. Tagang Gelo,

Greetings from the CBCNEI to you and members of the NBCC
brothers and sisters in the Lord!

I take the opportunity to write to you to express our gratitude

to NBCC for your generous contribution of the amount of Rs.
70,000/- (RUPEES SEVENTY THOUSAND ) only towards
NCBCI meeting on 4-5 December 2023 and Printing of 1000
copies of NCBCI Brochure/Flyers.

I on behalf of the NCBCI and as the President of the NCBCI

thanking you and the NBCC with much appreciation. The Lord
continue to bless you and NBCC under your able leadership.

Yours in Christ

PRev. Dr. Akheto Sema

General Secretary
CBCNEI, Panbazar, Guwahati, Assam.
Dear Dr. Paul Vick,
Greetings in Christ and also happy New Year.
I came back to office after a hectic travels within
the region. My main purpose is to connect the
churches with the Council. Perhaps this will be
my only contribution to the Council. This is my
last year to work under CBCNEI. By end of April
I will be out of CBCNEI. After my exit I will be
involved with the National Council of Baptist
Churches in India (NCBCI) which we formed two
years back in Kolkata, where almost all the
Baptist groups belonging to different Baptist
Missions in India got together and decided to
form the NCBCI. I am the first President of the
Council and I will be busy helping in
strengthening the Council. We need your prayer
support.
I am also busy trying to set-up a ministry in
Dimapur in my new building which is almost
completed. The brochure which I gave you
during my visit of US previous year is all about.
I am seeking some donation to help me in setting
up my office/furnishing my office. Keep me in
your prayer.
Akheto Sema
General Secretary/CBCNEI

In different ways, the

10th Assembly of the
World Council of
Churches (WCC) held in
Busan, Republic of South
Korea, from 30 October
to 8 November 2013,
responded to the
question of how to
understand diakonia as
an integral dimension of
the ecumenical
movement and its
mandate in today’s
world. In this article I
shall present how
diakonia was
conceptualized in some
of the documents
preparing for the
assembly and how this
was
followed up during the
meeting, especially in
Ecumenical Conversation
21, which gathered
around the theme
“Compelled to serve:
Diakonia and
development in a rapidly
changing
world.” Finally, I shall
present some reflections
on the role of diakonia in
the pilgrimage of
justice and peace that
the assembly mandated
the ecumenical
movement to embark on.
The theme of the
assembly, formulated as
a prayer, “God of life,
lead us to justice and
peace,” already
expressed a diaconal
concern and
commitment.
Ecumenical diakonia is
faith-based in the sense
that it is moved by belief
in God, the giver and
defender of life,
and by the conviction
that God’s people are
mandated to participate
in God’s mission.
This corresponds to a
rich tradition within the
ecumenical movement
of considering
diakonia as “the liturgy
after the liturgy,” as it
was stated in Vancouver
in 1983. At the
same time, the theme
confirms the
understanding of
diakonia as rights-
based, from the
perspective that the
struggle for justice and
peace are core issues in
any diaconal activity,
and that it will be
successful only when
the poor and vulnerable
themselves are empow-
ered to claim their rights
and have an active role
in the shaping of
society.
In many ways, the
assembly gave visibility
to this understanding of
diakonia as faith-
based and rights-based.
Much space was given
to stories told from the
margins of
society; their voices
became the cantus
firmus of the assembly.
This proved that, for
Christians coming from
such contexts, the
issues of justice and
peace are integral
dimensions of their faith
and ministry, which is
not necessarily the case
for Christians
belonging to the
historical churches living
in Europe or in North
America. Independent
bs_bs_banner
265
DOI: 10.1111/erev.12104
Copyright © (2014) World Council of
Churches. Published by John Wiley &
Sons Ltd.
In different ways, the
10th Assembly of the
World Council of
Churches (WCC) held in
Busan, Republic of South
Korea, from 30 October
to 8 November 2013,
responded to the
question of how to
understand diakonia as
an integral dimension of
the ecumenical
movement and its
mandate in today’s
world. In this article I
shall present how
diakonia was
conceptualized in some
of the documents
preparing for the
assembly and how this
was
followed up during the
meeting, especially in
Ecumenical Conversation
21, which gathered
around the theme
“Compelled to serve:
Diakonia and
development in a rapidly
changing
world.” Finally, I shall
present some reflections
on the role of diakonia in
the pilgrimage of
justice and peace that
the assembly mandated
the ecumenical
movement to embark on.
The theme of the
assembly, formulated as
a prayer, “God of life,
lead us to justice and
peace,” already
expressed a diaconal
concern and
commitment.
Ecumenical diakonia is
faith-based in the sense
that it is moved by belief
in God, the giver and
defender of life,
and by the conviction
that God’s people are
mandated to participate
in God’s mission.
This corresponds to a
rich tradition within the
ecumenical movement
of considering
diakonia as “the liturgy
after the liturgy,” as it
was stated in Vancouver
in 1983. At the
same time, the theme
confirms the
understanding of
diakonia as rights-
based, from the
perspective that the
struggle for justice and
peace are core issues in
any diaconal activity,
and that it will be
successful only when
the poor and vulnerable
themselves are empow-
ered to claim their rights
and have an active role
in the shaping of
society.
In many ways, the
assembly gave visibility
to this understanding of
diakonia as faith-
based and rights-based.
Much space was given
to stories told from the
margins of
society; their voices
became the cantus
firmus of the assembly.
This proved that, for
Christians coming from
such contexts, the
issues of justice and
peace are integral
dimensions of their faith
and ministry, which is
not necessarily the case
for Christians
belonging to the
historical churches living
in Europe or in North
America. Independent
bs_bs_banner
265
DOI: 10.1111/erev.12104
Copyright © (2014) World Council of
Churches. Published by John Wiley &
Sons [Link] VITAE

Dear Rev. Dr. Paul Vick,

Greetings in Christ and also happy New Year.
I am extremely sorry for keeping quite and have
failed to reach out to you. This is my last year to
work under CBCNEI. By end of April I will be out
of CBCNEI. After my exit I will be involved with
the National Council of Baptist Churches in India
(NCBCI) which we formed two years back in
Kolkata, where almost all the Baptist groups
belonging to different Baptist Missions in India
got together and decided to form the NCBCI. I
am the first President of the Council and I will be
busy helping in strengthening the Council. We
need your prayer.
I am also busy trying to set-up a ministry in my
new building which is almost completed. I am
seeking some donation to help me in setting up
my office/furnishing my office. Keep me in your
prayer.
God bless and Shalom in the Lord!

Akheto Sema
General Secretary/CBCNEI

In different ways, the

10th Assembly of the
World Council of
Churches (WCC) held in
Busan, Republic of South
Korea, from 30 October
to 8 November 2013,
responded to the
question of how to
understand diakonia as
an integral dimension of
the ecumenical
movement and its
mandate in today’s
world. In this article I
shall present how
diakonia was
conceptualized in some
of the documents
preparing for the
assembly and how this
was
followed up during the
meeting, especially in
Ecumenical Conversation
21, which gathered
around the theme
“Compelled to serve:
Diakonia and
development in a rapidly
changing
world.” Finally, I shall
present some reflections
on the role of diakonia in
the pilgrimage of
justice and peace that
the assembly mandated
the ecumenical
movement to embark on.
The theme of the
assembly, formulated as
a prayer, “God of life,
lead us to justice and
peace,” already
expressed a diaconal
concern and
commitment.
Ecumenical diakonia is
faith-based in the sense
that it is moved by belief
in God, the giver and
defender of life,
and by the conviction
that God’s people are
mandated to participate
in God’s mission.
This corresponds to a
rich tradition within the
ecumenical movement
of considering
diakonia as “the liturgy
after the liturgy,” as it
was stated in Vancouver
in 1983. At the
same time, the theme
confirms the
understanding of
diakonia as rights-
based, from the
perspective that the
struggle for justice and
peace are core issues in
any diaconal activity,
and that it will be
successful only when
the poor and vulnerable
themselves are empow-
ered to claim their rights
and have an active role
in the shaping of
society.
In many ways, the
assembly gave visibility
to this understanding of
diakonia as faith-
based and rights-based.
Much space was given
to stories told from the
margins of
society; their voices
became the cantus
firmus of the assembly.
This proved that, for
Christians coming from
such contexts, the
issues of justice and
peace are integral
dimensions of their faith
and ministry, which is
not necessarily the case
for Christians
belonging to the
historical churches living
in Europe or in North
America. Independent
bs_bs_banner

265
DOI: 10.1111/erev.12104
Copyright © (2014) World Council of
Churches. Published by John Wiley &
Sons Ltd.
In different ways, the
10th Assembly of the
World Council of
Churches (WCC) held in
Busan, Republic of South
Korea, from 30 October
to 8 November 2013,
responded to the
question of how to
understand diakonia as
an integral dimension of
the ecumenical
movement and its
mandate in today’s
world. In this article I
shall present how
diakonia was
conceptualized in some
of the documents
preparing for the
assembly and how this
was
followed up during the
meeting, especially in
Ecumenical Conversation
21, which gathered
around the theme
“Compelled to serve:
Diakonia and
development in a rapidly
changing
world.” Finally, I shall
present some reflections
on the role of diakonia in
the pilgrimage of
justice and peace that
the assembly mandated
the ecumenical
movement to embark on.
The theme of the
assembly, formulated as
a prayer, “God of life,
lead us to justice and
peace,” already
expressed a diaconal
concern and
commitment.
Ecumenical diakonia is
faith-based in the sense
that it is moved by belief
in God, the giver and
defender of life,
and by the conviction
that God’s people are
mandated to participate
in God’s mission.
This corresponds to a
rich tradition within the
ecumenical movement
of considering
diakonia as “the liturgy
after the liturgy,” as it
was stated in Vancouver
in 1983. At the
same time, the theme
confirms the
understanding of
diakonia as rights-
based, from the
perspective that the
struggle for justice and
peace are core issues in
any diaconal activity,
and that it will be
successful only when
the poor and vulnerable
themselves are empow-
ered to claim their rights
and have an active role
in the shaping of
society.
In many ways, the
assembly gave visibility
to this understanding of
diakonia as faith-
based and rights-based.
Much space was given
to stories told from the
margins of
society; their voices
became the cantus
firmus of the assembly.
This proved that, for
Christians coming from
such contexts, the
issues of justice and
peace are integral
dimensions of their faith
and ministry, which is
not necessarily the case
for Christians
belonging to the
historical churches living
in Europe or in North
America. Independent
bs_bs_banner

265
DOI: 10.1111/erev.12104
Copyright © (2014) World Council of
Churches. Published by John Wiley &
Sons [Link] VITAE
Dear Brother Dave,

Greetings in the Lord to you and your family from the CBCNEI.
With due respect I take this opportunity to write to you to
express my sincerest thanks and gratitude to you and the LOTE
ministry leaders for your kind invitation to attend in the “High
Impact Church: Train the Trainers” program. I have taken this as
God’s call and plan. Through the 2 days program from 9-10
November and even including the last day till noon of 11 th was a
real life experience for me especially for my spiritual life. I am
really impacted and challenged to participate in LOTE ministry in
impacting the church, community and society in the North East
India region where big numbers of churches are present. One day,
you have to come back to NEI especially in Nagaland and speak to
our churches.
I have started reading the books I got as well as the
documents/materials given in the file. Let me digest thoroughly
the whole contents. It will be of great blessings in my spiritual life
as well as in my ministry.
In prayer.

Yours in Christ

Rev. Akheto Sema

General Secretary
Council of Baptist Churches in North East India

My Dear Rev. Dr. Patrick,

Greetings in Christ to you and your family from the Council of

Baptist Churches in North East India. It was a wonderful
opportunity to meet you in Dubai. I thank the LOTE ministry
leaders for your kind invitation to attend the two and half days
program on “The High Impact Church: Train the Trainers”. Wow!
That was a real life experience for me. I am really impacted and
challenged and I pray that I impact the churches, community and
society in the North East India region.
I want to be very friendly to you. I have a friend like you and I find
in you the enthusiasm and zeal and very friendly nature, humble
and it was a joy to listen to your lecture with your life experiences
in it. I was indeed touched and inspired. You are a gifted man. I
thank God for you and I will always pray for you and also wish to
keep in touch in letters too.
Now coming to my personal & family sharing of my plan. I really
wanted to bring my wife to see Kenya because she has not seen
the other part of the world where lots of things to be seen
including the Safari. I shared with her and told her that next year
2024, in our wedding anniversary which falls on 12 December, we
will go to Nairobi, Kenya. We will arrive on 11 th December, stay
12-13 and leave for India on 14 afternoon. Now, my humble
request is to allow us to stay in your church guest house for 3
nights. Will that be okay with you and your church?
God bless and thanks for your friendship.

Yours in Christ

Rev. Akheto Sema

Greetings! Jesus Christ! CBCNEI!

Respected leaders & ladies and Gentlemen!
Thanks for your invitation –
----------------------------------------------------- Jubilee.
It’s a great joy and happiness to join you in celebrating
----------------------- year Jubilee.
It has come a long way to reach this point

Celebrating God’s faithfulness, Mighty works of God in the life and

ministry of …
Jubilee is a time of restoration of our relationship with God and
with one another.

Jubilee is a time of forgiveness- forgiving one another and have a

new beginning.

Jubilee is a time to renew our commitment to God, to expand our

vision to do even better from what we have been doing in terms of
our Mission & Ministry.

Topic: “Jesus Christ, the Rock of Ages.” (Matt. 7:24-28)

*Before I get into the text, let me describe the word “Rock” from the
Biblical perspective.
* In the Old Testament, the ‘Rock’ is referred to God.
* In Deuteronomy 34:4, “God is called the Rock, who is perfect,
holy and faithful to His people.”
* I Samuel 2:2, “God is the Rock who is holy”
* II Samuel 22:2, King David said, “The Lord is my Rock, my
fortress, my Protector and my deliverer.”
Verse 3: God is called stronghold, my Refuge, my Saviour.
 In the Book of Psalms, God is called as the Rock. My fortress, my
deliverer, my shelter and so forth.

The Rock is: ‘Strong & secured: solid, firm & strong.
Jesus likened to a hard, firm Rock
And so, God is called a ‘Rock’.
We are called to look upon Him at all times. He is our security and
therefore we are ‘safe & secure’. When we call upon Him as our
Rock, nothing can shake us because we are fixed firmly, strongly on
Him.

We have one of our favorite hymns in our hymnal-“Rock of Ages”

(Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee/you.)
Augustus M. Toplady took shelter under a huge Rock from the
storm/wind-out of this experience he wrote this hymn- “Rock of
Ages.” He called the Rock….God who is our shelter/safe and secure
from all storms of life.

*Let me go to the text in Matthew 7:24-28.

“A Parable about two builders”
One a wise builder who built his house on a Rock. The other builder.
(Who is called a foolish builder) who built his house on the stand.
The Rain poured down, flood came and storm hit the house. Stood
firm, fell and destroyed completely.
(1) One stood firm because it was founded on a Rock. It stood
strong and rain, flood and storm could destroy.
(2) The other building had a great fall. A terrible fall because
the building laid on a sand.

Paul said in I Cor. 3- we are the building. Our body is like a

building, a house. And we are to build the house or the building on
the Rock, i.e., Jesus Christ who is the Rock of Ages.

We must be wise people to build on the Rock and not like the foolish
people, who build the house on the sand.

My personal life God, the Rock of Ages wants us to build a

house
My family life on the Rock of Ages.
My church, Christian Community

There are two kinds of Foundations- 2 Foundations

 One is permanent, lasting and eternal
 The other is temporary, comes & goes. Does not stay long.
 One is spiritual foundation
 The other is earthly & worldly foundation

The question before us is, “Which foundation do you to choose and

build your house?” Do you want to build your house on the Rock or
on the said?
Do you what to build on spiritual foundation or on earthly & worldly
foundation?

ONE: People who wants to build on earthly & worldly foundation-

(says)- I do not need God. I can do everything on my own. I am
capable, I have the ability to do things. I am an intellectual person etc.
etc…

(“Humanism”) A theological student;

Beatles (John Lennon) Famous people mocked God-

“There is no God.”(Psalmist says…A fool)

I am free to do anything I want. No one can control me. I can decide.

No can control me. The choice is mine.
A famous singer: I am not afraid of hell because there will be
many.

(Existentialism) – Today’s young people-lost lives

- Western Culture

I am adjustable! Easily influenced by other cultures.

‘Western Culture’ (Std going to USA)- Mind-set.

Life-style, food-habits (wine)? (Relativism)

‘Corruption’ in our society

‘Materialism’ -wealth & Riches without God… Slave to money.
(wealth & Riches comes from God). Acknowledge God, otherwise,
you become a fool.
(A Rich man…I will accumulate so much… dies ( Bible
Ref…………………….).

Nominalism/Luke-warmness in the church today.

All these are worldly and earthy foundations.

It cannot stand forever.
Its just temporary.
Its like fashion. It comes and goes.

That’s why the writer in Ecclesiastic 1:1

”Everything is in vain. It’s meaningless. Waste… you and I may have
everything…. At the end… nothing)

Friends, believers, …. We have a better foundation. And this

foundation is Jesus Christ who is also the Rock of Ages.

TWO: The chorus of the hymn “Rock of Ages”

“On Christ the solid, Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand.

Yes, in Christ, the Rock of Ages we can stand firm. Jesus Christ is our
solid Rock of Ages.
In Him is security,
In Him is life.
In Him is Life eternal.
Not temporary.

Other falls. Other foundations falls but we can stand firm and
strong because….

No earthy forces can destroy this Rock of Ages.

Communism in China cannot destroy the Rock of Ages.

No power on earth can destroy this Rock of Ages.

Roman Power could not destroy the Rock of Ages, the church.

No Governments in the past, no government at present, no

government in the future can destroy this Rock of Ages.

This Rock of Ages existed even before the creation of heaven & earth.
This Rock of Ages continue to exist today and,
(not Peter) -It is Jesus!

 In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said, “Upon this Rock I will build the
church (you and me/people) all over the world.”

 Jesus Christ, the Rock of Ages has commanded us to built His

church on this firm and strong Rock of Ages.
*Dedication of laying of Foundation
* The long awaited project
*Today it has come true during our time
* I want to congratulate our leader for making this possible
Psalms 65:9-13
9 You show your care for the land by sending rain; you make it rich and fertile. You fill the
streams with water; you provide the earth with crops. This is how you do it:
10 You send abundant rain on the plowed fields and soak them with water, you soften the soil
with showers and cause the young plants to grow.
11 What a rich harvest your goodness provides! Wherever you go there is plenty.
12 The pastures are filled with flocks; the hillsides are full of joy.
13 The fields are covered with sheep; the valleys are full of wheat. Everything shouts and
sings for joy.

********

Let this foundation be strong and stand firm against any forces.

Matthew 7:24-27 The Two House Builders

24 “So then, anyone who hears these words of mind and obeys them is like a wise man who
built his house on rock.
25 The rain poured down, the rivers flooded over, and the wind blew hard against that house.
But it did not fall, because it was built on rock
 We believe this foundation is laid on the Rock of Ages
26 “But anyone who hears these words of mind and does not obey them is like a foolish man
who built his house on said.
 May it stand firm for evermore.
 This is not temporary foundation but for permanent.
27 The rain poured down, the rivers flooded over, the wind blew hard against that house, and
it fell. And what a terrible fall that was!”
*Cut the Ribbon”
(Offer Prayer)
CURRICULUM VITAE
Educational Background/Qualifications.
Bachelor of Theology (BTh) at Eastern Theological College.
Special studies in Music specialization Music theories and voice in Hong Kong Baptist
College and Chung Chi Chinese University.
Master of Arts (MA) with special studies in Church Music in Theological Seminary of the
West, Berkeley, San Francisco Theological Seminary, San Anselmo, California, USA.
Bachelor of Divinity (BD) at ETC, Jorhat, Assam.
Master of Theology (MTh) with special studies in Christian Ministry and Mission in Union
Biblical Seminary, Pune, Maharashtra.
Doctor of Theology (DTh) in Christian Religious Education with special reference to Paulo
Freire’s Education for Social Transformation at South Asia Theological Research Institute
(SATHRI) and United Theological College (UTC), Bangalore, Karnataka.
Post-Doctoral Research Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Southern
California, USA.
Past Ministerial Experiences:
Student Christian Movement of India.
Member of Micah Network International dealing with HIV & AIDS advocacy and Integral
mission in Chiang Mei, Thailand, Genting, Malaysia, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Member of Continuing Education of the Christian Conference of Asia in Taipei, Taiwan
meeting.
A Chartered Member of Global LEAD Alliance in Nairobi, Kenya and Johannesburg, South
Africa.
Professor of Christian Religious Education for Social Change and Practical Theology for 25
years in Theological Colleges under Senate of Serampore College/University.
Principal/Administrator at Eastern Theological College under Senate of Serampore
College/University, Jorhat, Assam for 9 years.
Current Ministries:
A member and former Chairperson of North East India Community Relief and Development
(NEICORD).
A member of the Commission on Theological Education of Baptist World Alliance (BWA).
Chairperson of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Legacy Trust (ABFMLT).
Chancellor of North East Christian University (NECU).
A Core Member of the India Mission Coordination Committee (IMCC, International
Ministries, USA).
7 Members Core Committee for Baptist Unity in India.
The first President of the National Council of Baptist Churches in India (NCBCI).
Coordination Committee of the Indian Christian Day-North East Region.
Executive Committee member and Personnel Committee member of Christian Auxiliary for
Social Action (CASA).
Board & Society member of Evangelical Fellowship of India for Commission on Relief
(EFICOR).
President of United Christian Forum North East India (UCFNEI).
Senator & Church Representative of Senate of Serampore College/University.
General Secretary of Council of Baptist Churches in North East India (CBCNEI), one of the
CCA Member Churches and Councils.
Dear Brother Ron,

Greetings in the Lord to you and your family from the CBCNEI.

With due respect I take this opportunity to write to you to

express my sincerest thanks and gratitude to you and the LOTE
ministry leaders for your kind invitation to attend in the “High
Impact Church: Train the Trainers” program. I have taken this as
God’s call and plan. Through the 2 days program from 9-10
November and even including the last day till noon of 11 th was a
real life experience for me especially for my spiritual life. I am
really impacted and challenged to participate in LOTE ministry in
impacting the church, community and society in the NEI region
where big numbers of churches are there. Rev. Wati and I will do
what we can to invite you and Andrew in January 2024 in Dimapur
or in Guwahati.
I have started reading the books I got as well as the
documents/materials given in the file. Let me digest thoroughly
the whole contents.
In prayer.

Yours in Christ

Rev. Akheto Sema

My Dear Rev. Dr. Patrick,

Greetings in Christ to you and your family from the Council of

Baptist Churches in North East India. It was a wonderful
opportunity to meet you in Dubai. I thank the LOTE ministry
leaders for your kind invitation to attend the two and half days
program on “The High Impact Church: Train the Trainers”. Wow!
That was a real life experience for me. I am really impacted and
challenged and I pray that I impact the churches, community and
society in the North East India region.
I want to be very friendly to you. I have a friend like you and I find
in you the enthusiasm and zeal and very friendly nature, humble
and it was a joy to listen to your lecture with your life experiences
in it. I was indeed touched and inspired. You are a gifted man. I
thank God for you and I will always pray for you and also wish to
keep in touch in letters too.
Now coming to my personal & family sharing of my plan. I really
wanted to bring my wife to see Kenya because she has not seen
the other part of the world where lots of things to be seen
including the Safari. I shared with her and told her that next year
2024, in our wedding anniversary which falls on 12 December, we
will go to Nairobi, Kenya. We will arrive on 11 th December, stay
12-13 and leave for India on 14 afternoon. Now, my humble
request is to allow us to stay in your church guest house for 3
nights. Will that be okay with you and your church?
God bless and thanks for your friendship.

Yours in Christ

Rev. Akheto Sema

1Timothy 4:11-16
(Amplified Version)

And so, continue to teach the living word of God. And let no one
despise or think less or look down on you because you are young.
Teach the believers with your life: by word/speech; by example;
by love; by faith and by integrity.
Do not neglect the gift which is in you, given by God.
Practice and cultivate the things I have written to you. Let it be
evident to everybody. Keep a firm grasp on both your character
and your teaching. Hold to them, for by doing so, you will save
both yourself and those who hear you.

Gracious and loving Lord Jesus, in whom we live, and move and
have our being; in whom dwells the fullness of wisdom and
goodness. We thanks and praise you for this wonderful time and
opportunity to come together in your presence to dedicate these
young people who are chosen by your church to take up
leadership in the Baptist Youth fellowship of India.

Our humble prayer is that, you will give them enough faith in you
to have no doubt about your need of them. Make the confident,
but not arrogant; humble, but not proud; just, but not unmerciful;
more of empathy, and less of sympathy; self-denial, but not self-
esteem; strength and courage, but not timidity; serve, and not to
be served.
We ask you to empower them with your Holy Spirit to be your
humble instruments in taking care of the youth in particular
under the Baptist Youth Fellowship of India.

As these young people, chosen to be leaders, kneel in the

presence of this congregation, not to the people here but to you,
we pray for them and set them apart for the ministry on this day,
the 22nd October 2023. We pray that you will surround them with
your love; fill them with your spirit; dedicate them with your
power to be used by you in order to bring all glory, honor and
praises to you and for the edification of your church and also
make an impact in the society by living out Christ in them.

With thanksgiving, I on behalf of the congregation, offer this

prayer in Jesus’ name.
AMEN!

Greetings in the name Jesus to all of you present here.

Respected GS/APBF; Church leaders……

I thank the officials of the “Baptist Youth Fellowship India”

for your kind invitation to participate in the conference. It’s a
wonderful opportunity for me to be here and have fellowship
with you and together to worship our living God.

Also, my heartfelt thanks to Centenary Baptist church for

allowing the BYFI to have the conference in your church.

*I bring greetings from the Council of Baptist Churches in North

East India (the CBCNEI).

We are all one family, working together in promoting God’s

Kingdom through preaching, teaching and living out the Gospel,
the Good News of Jesus Christ, who was, and is, and always the
same and living in our lives.
Praise the Lord!

I also take this opportunity to bring greetings from me and all

the officials and members of the “National Council of Baptist
Churches in India” (the NCBCI). Some of the Committee
members like Rev. Dr. Chiranjeevi, one of the Vice presidents,
brother Robert Surya Prakash, one of the members are present
here. On behalf of the General Secretary, Rev. Samaresh Nayak
and all the office bearers and members of the NCBCI, I bring
greetings to all of you.

We have initiated this Council in order to bring together the

Baptist groups/members approximately 50 lakhs to promote
fellowship and cooperation among the Baptist Churches in
India.

The “Baptist Youth Fellowship India” (BYFI) is one of us, part

and parcel of the NCBCI.

I urge the “Baptist Youth of India” to be active participants in

the mission and ministry of NCBCI in promoting God’s Kingdom
and edify Baptist families in India.

*Let us look to God for His blessings:

Oh, Lord! I stand before your congregation to deliver

your message this evening. May you take control of my
heart, mind, and attitude and may the words of my
mouth, and the thoughts of my mind, be acceptable to
you and blessings to the hearers.
This is my humble prayer in Jesus’ name. AMEN

*The topic given to me for my message is,

“Flee from evil desires of Youth”, taken from II Timothy

2:22.

As we browse through various version on this verse, in one

version, it says,
“Run from/shun from youthful lusts”.

In another version it says,

“Stay away from the evil things a youth person
likes/typically wants to do or long for.”

*Interestingly, another version says,

“Run from anything that gives you the evil thoughts

that young men/women often have.”
“Run from temptations that capture young people”.

You know, in the tribal culture/tribal community, before

Christianity came to our people, our fore-fathers taught/the
young people about– Good virtues of life.
The youth were taught both in words and in action/exemplary
life on Moral and ethical standards of life.

Teachings like – Do not tell lies

- Do not speak ill of others
- Do not steal
- Be honest (and dishonesty is punishable)
- Maintain integrity in one’s life
- Dishonest to be avoided and so and so forth

Coming to our text in II Timothy 2:22

St. Paul did not specify what are the evil desires of youth or
young people.
What we have in his letter is to young Timothy telling him to
“Flee from evil desires of youth.”

However, Paul did mention things in his letters in both I & II

Timothy-

Like,
Immorality
Impurity
Love of money (root of all evils)
Godlessness
Liars
Lovers of pleasures
Inappropriate life-style
False teachings and others
These are things which are morally wrong or bad. To indulge in
them means falling into doing evil. I believe Paul had this in
mind and tells young Timothy to stay away from them. That
young Timothy must flee or run away from such evil things.

Further, in II Timothy 3, Paul talks about the last days when

people (men & women/young and old) will be lovers of-
(1) Themselves
(2) Boastful & proud
(3) Abusive
(4) Ungrateful
(5) Disobedient to parents (young people towards
parents)
(6) Lovers of money
(7) Unholy
(8) Unforgiving, hatred, without love
(9) No self-control
(10) Slanderers
(11) And so and so forth

Friends, I believe the last days which Paul mentions is today.

Our present world.

We are in the last days living in 21st century-where we see all

these evils taking place.

In today’s world, we are not free from evils.

-The so-called “evils” are abounding or increasing in all forms
and practices.
-The evil forces controlling human and environment.
People & systems are controlled by the evil things.

Let me cite few examples of evil forces that pull us away

from God;
Evil things that draws us/lures us/attract us to do evil on daily
basis.

‘Modernism’ – The quality of being current or the preset.

Go for the ‘in-thing
contemporary life-style, practice, though (mind-set) (carried
away by in-thing).

‘Existentialism’ – 20th century philosophical movement

assumes that people (you and I) are entirely free and thus
responsible for what they make of themselves.
-relating to human existence the choice we make (self-not God)

Relativism- the philosophical doctrine that all criteria of

judgments are relative of the individuals and situations
involved.
I am okey in any given context. There is no absolute truth.

Materialism-Philosophical theory that matter is the only

reality-
-a desire for wealth and material possessions with little interest
in ethical and spiritual matters. (wants more! No contentment)

‘Globalization’- an ideology based on taking a global political

view--- global things-quick imitation
-small village.

This generation is influenced by Humanistic Philosophy.

‘Humanism’-The philosophy/doctrine that emphasis a person’s

capacity/ability for self-realization’ through reason (rationalism)
“rejects religion”- and the ‘supernatural’ (Rejection of God) (I
and not God)
-to promote human welfare by human means, achievement.

I am capable to do anything without God.

We can do good things without God
Human freedom is my right without God
I will do what I want to do
I don’t worry about life.

“One young pop singer said,

“I don’t worry about going to hell because many are going
there” Life after death is nonsense” for such people (And by the
way, they are Christians)

Such understanding & influence is a rejection of God’s truth on

real heaven & hell.

This generation is also influenced by Religious pluralism.

Teaching such as, many religions, one God. Many ways but one
destination.

*A Professor of Religions- to popularize himself

Wrote books/gave lectures all over!

On his sick bed.. he confessed… He was wrong
*One of my class mate in theological college- carried away by a
subject on “Comparative Religions”…. On his bed… he asked
forgiveness.

Today the world is talking about “One Religion”

There is a talk of Christianity, Islam and Jews to merge together
and form one religion. (Is it possible?)

This is nonsense! This is to deny the truth of the word of God.

This is to deny Jesus as the ONLY Way, the Truth and the Life.
(The biblical truth cannot be distorted. The Bible is not one of
the Literatures.)

We also live in a generation of ‘sexual Revolution.

LGBT/Homosexuality/Unnatural sexual orientation.
There is a Satanic Church in the USA. They have a book
called “Satanic Bible”. In the Satanic church, the Bible (Our
Bible) is the most hated book. The Bible is the worst enemy to
society they say. The Bible is against human because it, restrict
people with all ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’.

In one of the Satanic church, a lady ripping the Bible in front of

the congregation.

It saddened me to see boys and girls kicking the Bible on the

street.

Today, our days are evil.

And so, my challenge to our young people today.

- Be careful not to be tempted by the evil things around

you.
- Walk wisely led by God’s spirit

- Avoid what is lustful

- Run from anything that gives you the evil thoughts.
- Run from temptation that captures you.

- In today’s context, the society we live-in is so corrupt.

- The environment is so wrong and different from Christian-
living
- Shun what is morally corrupt

- We are miserably failing to distinguish what is black from

what is white. What is right from wrong.
- The excuse we take is: ‘this is the system’ and as a result
integrity is compromised.
- As a result, Moral and ethical issues are no more taken
seriously.
- Yong people flee from such evil thinking and practices.

- We see a worldly family life.

- We see ungodly family.
- We see disobedient children in the family.
We see Generation gap between parents and children
We see Generation gap between elders and young people
The old world view
The old school of thought
The struggle to come to term is obvious now
Independent life
Sleepless nights
Mobile sets (impersonal now)
Parental teachings on the “fear of God’ to our
children and young sons and daughters is slowly fading
away in the family.

*Young people, we must go back to the Bible.

*Back to the teachings in the Bible.
*Back to the first Christian teaching on- “The fear of the Lord.”

Psalm 119:9 says, “How can a young person, men &

women stay pure?
“How can a young person keep his/her way pure?
“How can a young person live a godly life?”
“How can a young man & woman flee from evil desires?

*The answer is –“By living according to God’s word.”

*Then, what is the teaching of the word of God all about?
It teaches us how to hate what is evil.

Proverbs 14:27 says, “The fear of the Lord is the fountain of

life, turning a man and woman from the snares of evils.”
Proverbs 16:6 says, …through the fear of the Lord a man and
woman avoids evil.”

*Read, Proverbs 8:13 says, “to fear the Lord is to hate evil. To
hate pride and arrogance, evil ways and false words.

*Just take the exemplary life of some of the great people

of God in the Bible:
*Abraham had the fear of God in him. He was blessed by God.
He was called a ‘friend of God’, whose descendant became a
nation.

*Joseph had the fear of God in him. He resisted the temptation

(Potiphar’s wife) God honored him and made him a great
leader.

*David, inspite of some flows in his life, had the fear of the
Lord in his life. He testified saying, “Surely His salvation is near
to those who fear Him(God)”. (Ps. 85:9) and in Ps. 103:17, he
said, “The loving kindness of the Lord is from everlasting to
everlasting on those who fear Him.”
(He killed Goliath, a great Isralite King)

*Daniel and his friends had great reverence and fear of the
Lord in their lives. God delivered them from the furnace of
fire/the lions could not devour/kill Daniel in the ‘Lion’s den.’

*Young people, let me remind you: “the fear of the Lord” is

surely a “pathfinder”, a guide to godly life.
*Have the fear of the Lord in you and you will
flee/shun/avoid/resist the evils.

Finally, We also have a strong instruction from the word of

God.

In Ecclesiastes 12, verse 1 says,

“Remember now your creator in the days of your youth.”
“Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your
creator.”
And verse 13 & 14 says, “The last and final word is this: Fear
God. Do what He tells you.
That’s it. Eventually God will bring everything that we do out
into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent,
whether it’s good or evil.”
Pending judgement is awaited for all of us.
Flee from evils and we will not be judged.
Let me end with this true story:

Once, a young man heard that his wealthy uncle left for him in
his will a very precious gift. “To my nephew I am leaving a copy
of God’s priceless word which I trust he will use daily and find
within its pages the real treasure and wealth.” The young man
with disgust and utter disappointment threw the Bible into the
old trunk in which it was laid. After many years the young man
became old and was passing through a time of severe
depression, frustration and sorrow. He suddenly remembered
the gift his uncle left for him. So, he opened the old trunk and
having cleaned the Bible he started reading it. He slowly began
to receive peace and tranquility of his mind. At last, he
confessed that he had found in the pages of the Bible riches
and wealth more than thousands of pounds, which the world
could never give him.

Yes, there is power in the Word of God, the Bible, to deliver us

from all evils.
The Word of God is an antidote to evil
The word of God is a repellent of evil.
To flee from evils have the fear of God always.
Lord, as I speak your word and as we listen together to the message of the
Gospel, may it come to us afresh and alive. May our hearts and minds be good
soil to receive the seeds that you want to sow in our lives in order to be blessed
and be blessings.
With thanksgiving in our hearts, we pray in Jesus’s name. AMEN

Coming back to the text, the parable narrative goes like this-

A farmer went to sow seeds in the field, and as he sowed the seeds-
- Some seeds fell on the pathway (some version-the road)
- Some seeds fell on the rocky ground / on the gravels.
- Some seeds fell among the thorns/thistles
- And, some seeds fell on the Good soil.

*This is the first part of the parable and, Jesus continued the narration by
explaining the meaning on the purpose of the parable.

*From this parable, I want to identify Four groups of listeners to the word of
God or the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

(1) The first group are the “Inattentive”

Listeners to the word of God.
Jesus said in verse 19: “The seeds that fell on the pathway or the road are those
who hear the word, but no sooner do they hear it, then the devil snatches it from
them so they won’t believe and be saved.”
*Illustrations- Once, I saw a Carton Caption in one of the Christian Magazine. In
that carton, the devil is seen standing behind a person sitting in the pew trying
to listen to the sermon/or message of God’s word.

The devil who is standing behind the person is throwing sands on the head of the
person in order to draw away his attention to somewhere else.

*Jesus also said, “the birds come and quickly picks up the seeds and eat it”.
*This is to say that, the evil one comes and snatches the word of God from us
making us ‘inattentive’ listeners.

*You know, people who are inattentive, their ears are open but they don’t hear
anything. They hear only the sound. (You understand what I mean)

*Today, we are living in the context of “Globalization” and “digitalization” where

we are experiencing “the span of our attention which is becoming very short.”
Our attention is so divided.

*A mother shouts at the children at home. “My dear, can you come here?” The
reply is, “yes, I am coming”, but the child is not moving to respond to the
mother’s call. The child is stuck with mobile set, playing games etc.

The child is hearing the mother’s call but the attention is drawn away to
something else.
*A wife speaking to her husband: “Are you listening to me?” The husband replies,
“Yes honey, I am hearing you.”

*Friends, there are times, the hearing of the messages of the word of God,
becomes simply the “noise”, “the sound” to our ears.

*We are so distracted by many “noises” and “sound” and, as a result, we

become “inattentive” listeners, missing out the ‘word’ that is communicated to
us.

*Let me say that, today, we live in an “unrealistic” world and as a result, we

intentionally or unintentionally ignore the “reality” of life which we find in the
word of God, that is, the life-giving word of God.

*Today, in our churches, so much attention is given to activities and

programmes. But when it comes to preaching and teaching the word of God, it is
given a “step-motherly’ treatment. Priority is given to other else and the word of
God becomes secondary.

*I have stood before 60,000 to 2,00,000 congregation in a conferences and

conventions.

*There will be so much activities during worship time. Singing, dancing, making
announcements, collections of offering, acknowledgement of guests, gifting,
exhortations, short speech… and the congregation are carried away with such
things.

*But when time comes for the word of God, the congregation start leaving the
hall.
*People become restless and sleep away.
*The congregation become inattentive to God’s message.
*This is a sign of “lack of honoring God’s word.
No wonder, Jesus said in verse 13: “…they hear, but they don’t listen.”
*At the end of the day, the inattentive listeners go away empty-handed, missing
God’s living word for his/her life.

(2) The second group are those who try to be “attentive listener” but their
listening capacity is shallow, it does not take deep-root.

In verse 20- Jesus said,

“The seeds that fell on the rocky ground where there was little soil, are those
who hear the word with enthusiasm, but it did not go very deep and the moment
there is trouble it is gone.”

*This second category of listeners. Listen to the word enthusiastically, Welcome

the word happily and most of the time excited, looking forward to hear the word
of God.

*They enjoy listening but momentary.

They look at the preacher
Try to listen to the preacher
Nodding one’s head
Try to agree with preacher
Saying-mm-Amen-Hallelujah.
Praise the Lord!

*But their hearing is at the emotional level. As a result, their intake of the word
does not last long. At times, the word of God is taken seriously but for a brief
moment.

*Forgive me for saying this-

-Many of our members is the congregation are in this second group of listeners.
-We listen but the ‘word’ or the ‘seed’ does not get into us deeply.
- Our hearing and listening areshort-livedand does not last long as the receiving
end is too shallow.
-We try to receive the word of God at the emotional level.

*I remember, once an evangelist, a charismatic preacher came to our home

church. In the first service, he preached and also prophesied that “tonight
around 20 young people will die.

Many who were there listening got frightened. Out of fear, the congregation
attentively listened to the sermon.

When called-upon by the preacher to confess our sins repent and pray. Many
started crying and praying with so much emotion.

*Sometimes, we preachers also make blunder mistakes by threatening our

congregation by giving wrong, emotional statement.

By the way, those 20 young people did not die in the given stipulated time.
Many who confessed their sins, who committed to live a godly life could not
keep-up their commitment to God. It was a short-lived commitment. The word of
God was received at the emotional level. Many of them badly back-slided.

Yes, the message of the Gospel goes to the people.

-The message is heard
-We listen attentively but it does not go deep inside us.
-The word of God does not go deep into the soil of over spiritual life.
-We listen but fail to retain it.
*(Let us not be in the second group of listeners).

(3) The third group are the disturbed and distracted listeners.
Not only disturbed & distracted in our personal life but it also gets into
our family life
 Our church life
 Into our community,
 our society

In verse 21, Jesus said,

“The seeds that fell among the ‘thorns’ or the weeds are those who hears the
word but when crowed with worldly environment and life’s challenges comes, it
vanishes”. (The seeds are chocked and could not survive)
I believe this third group of listeners are trying to understand and respond to
what they hear about the word of God. But their hearts and minds are disturbed
and distracted due to hundreds of things happening around them, blocking them
to grow in the word.
The word of God is chocked by worldly environment.

Our hearts and minds are tossed to and fro and cannot stand firm in the word
because of distractions.

For example-
(A) This generation is influenced by Humanistic Philosophy.
I am capable to do anything without God.
We can do good things without God
Human freedom is my right without God
I will do what I want to do
I don’t worry about life.
*One young pop singer said,
“I don’t worry about going to hell because many are going there” Life-afterdeath
is nonsense” for such people(And by the way, they are xns)
Such understanding & influence is a rejection of God’s truth on real heaven &
hell.

(B) This generation is influenced by Religious pluralism. Teaching such as,

many religions, one God. Many ways but one destination.

*A Professor of Religions – to popularize himself

Wrote books/gave lectures all over!

On his sick bed… he confessed…. He was wrong.
*One of my class-mate in theological college- carried away by a subject on
“Comparative Religions”… on his bed… he asked for givenness.
Today the world is talking about ‘One Religion”
There is a talk of Christianity, Islam and Jews to merge together and form one
religion. (Is it possible?)

This is nonsense! This is to deny the truth of the word of God. This is to deny
Jesus as the ONLY Way, the Truth and the LIFE.
(The biblical truth cannot be distorted. The Bible is not one of the Literatures.)

*There is a Satanic church in the USA. They have a book called “Satanic Bible.”
In this Satanic church, the Bible (Our Bible) is the most hated book. The Bible is
the worst enemy to society they say. The Bible is against human because it,
restrict people with all ‘dos’ and ‘donts’.
In one of the Satanic church, a lady ripping the Bible in front of the congregation.
It saddened me to see boys and girls kicking the Bible on the street.

*In this generation (in our time) there is an utterly disrespect of the word of God.
The word of God is chocked by worldly influences. Brothers & sisters in Christ, we
need to stand firm in the word. Hold fast to the living word of God.

There are so many things that pulls us back from listening to God’s word. There
are things that distract us, things that disturbs us, making us doubtful and
confused.

*The word of God is not to be confused. It should be crystal clear to us. We

should not be shaken but stand firm in the truth. Do not be carried away by
worldly teach Christ, the Rock of Ages.

(4) Finally, the fourth group are the “Good and Attentive” listeners of the word of
God.
They are keen listener to the word of God
They hear the word
They listen carefully the word
They comprehend the word
They grasp the word
Their priority is the word

*They are the ‘Good Soil’.

The ‘seeds’ fall on the Good soil and it takes deep roots
Grows well and become healthy
And bear much fruits of the spirit.
Most importantly, they “walk the talk” is the word of God.

Sorry to say this but, today we preachers are miserably failing in the application
part of the word into our lives.
We preach and teach but fail to put into practice.
We preach and teach on Christian unity but we are a divider of the church.
We preach and teach on love but we are teaching our congregation to hate
others.

Illustration- Mahatma Gandhi-

-Today the *non-believers/the *onlookers are say, “see them! They talk about
but they divide……. Hate each other. They do not “walk the preaching” and
teaching.
Friends, let us be the ‘Good Soil’ and bear much fruits of the spirit as St. Paul
mentions in Galatians 5”22-23.

There is power in the word of God, a life-transforming power that can change the
lives of men and women who are the good soil.

Then comes the Bearing of fruits of the word of God.

And also, the fruits to be enjoyed by me, family, church and society.
-And what are the “fruits” that we are talking about? Ref: (Galatians 5:22-23)
They are: Peace, joy, hope, unity, love, sharing, fellowship, harmony.

*Let me end with this true story:

Once, a young man heard that his wealthy uncle left for him in his will a very
precious gift. “To my nephew I am leaving a copy of God’s priceless word which I
trust he will use daily and find within its pages the real treasure and wealth.” The
young man with disgust and utter disappointment threw the Bible into the old
trunk in which it was laid. After many years the young man became old and was
passing through a time of severe depression, frustration and sorrow. He
suddenly remembered the gift his uncle left for him. So, he opened the old trunk
and having cleaned the Bible he started reading it. He slowly began to
receivepeace and tranquility of his mind. At last, he confessed that he found in
the pages of the Bible riches and wealth more than thousand of pounds, which
the world could never give him.

This is the power of the word of God that takes place in a good soil.

Friends,
Money will be gone
Houses will get old
Material things will grow old
Beautiful faces will fade away
But the word of God will always be there. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass
away but my word not will past away.

Let us hold fast to the word of Life. Be the good soil. “God Bless!”
Dear Dr. Jerry,
Greetings from the CBCNEI to you and your family!
After a long gap I am able to write to you. I am quite occupied with the Manipur
situation and CBCNEI is helping the people in need. The situation is still tense.
You can read my message on the issue mentioned below.
Will you be interested to come to North East along with few friends of NECU
Board members? Rev. Don Ng is arranging the trip in February 2024. I am
leaving the CBCNEI after April 2024 and get into a ministry which I am working
on it.

“The State of Manipur requires unceasing and deepest concern. Due to recent
unrest and violence which started from 3 rd May 2023 thousands of men, women
and children are displaced, rendered homeless and are made to suffer. Several
churches destroyed and burnt down, houses belonging to the victims burnt
down; children and college/university going students had to seek admissions
outside of Manipur since the institutions are closed.

In such a situation, our prayer and moral support is not enough. We have to go
beyond, walk extra-mile to reach out to people who are going through untold
hardship, pain and miseries. The CBCNEI made an effort to carry out Relief works
with the donations/contributions received within the country and overseas. We
are so thankful to all the individuals, churches, Associations and Conventions
under the CBCNEI in particular and others churches and Christian organizations
in general for their generous contributions. In this relief work, we are so thankful
to Manipur Baptist Convention staff for taking the trouble of assisting us in
distributing the essential food items, medicines and other items required by
women and children in different camps. The same is undertaken from Mizoram
side through Baptist Church of Mizoram to reach out to displaced people in
Churachandpur, Manipur. We still have to do more as and when called upon.
Relief work was carried in all the camps irrespective of community & religion.

Let us all unite and give our best to stand by those who are in need of our
support, and also uphold in prayer our brothers & sisters in Manipur in this
very uncertain and critical situation. May our voices be heard in whatever
possible way as we continue to pray and may God, in all His greatness,
reveal to us His mighty works.”

God bless and hear from you again.

Rev. Akheto Sema
A Note from General Secretary, CBCNEI

The State of Manipur requires unceasing and deepest concern. Due to recent
unrest and violence which started from 3 rd May 2023 thousands of men, women
and children are displaced, rendered homeless and are made to suffer. Several
churches destroyed and burnt down, houses belonging to the victims burnt
down; children and college/university going students had to seek admissions
outside of Manipur since the institutions are closed.

In such a situation, our prayer and moral support is not enough. We have to go
beyond, walk extra-mile to reach out to people who are going through untold
hardship, pain and miseries. The CBCNEI made an effort to carry out Relief works
with the donations/contributions received within the country and overseas. We
are so thankful to all the individuals, churches, Associations and Conventions
under the CBCNEI in particular and others churches and Christian organizations
in general for their generous contributions. In this relief work, we are so thankful
to Manipur Baptist Convention staff for taking the trouble of assisting us in
distributing the essential food items, medicines and other items required by
women and children in different camps. The same is undertaken from Mizoram
side through Baptist Church of Mizoram to reach out to displaced people in
Churachandpur, Manipur. We still have to do more as and when called upon.
Relief work was carried in all the camps irrespective of community & religion.

Let us all unite and give our best to stand by those who are in need of our
support, and also uphold in prayer our brothers & sisters in Manipur in this
very uncertain and critical situation. May our voices be heard in whatever
possible way as we continue to pray and may God, in all His greatness,
reveal to us His mighty works.

Rev. Akheto Sema

I want to present some information about the Christian missionaries
contribution to North East India. Christian missionaries have played a
significant role in the development and growth of North East India. They have
contributed to the region’s educational, social, and religious development over
the years.
Look at the Educational Sector. Christian missionaries established many schools
and colleges in North East India, which have played a crucial role in spreading
education in the region. They have also established specialized institutions for
the tribal population, such as the Tribal Research Institute.
Under Healthcare, Christian missionaries have contributed significantly to the
healthcare sector in North East India. They have established several hospitals,
clinics, and dispensaries that have improved the overall health of the region’s
population.
In the area of the social work Christian missionaries have also contributed to the
region’s social development. They have worked towards eradicating social evils
like heade-hunting, witchcraft, human trafficking, and drug abuse. They have
also worked towards women’s empowerment and provided homes for the
elderly, destitute women, children with disabilities, etc.

Then comes the Preservation of Culture: Missionaries also played an essential

role in preserving the cultural heritage of indigenous people residing in North
East India by documenting their customs and traditions.
And of course, Spreading Christianity which we are not shying away. The
significant contribution of Christian Missionaries is the spread of Christianity
throughout several parts of North East India.
Therefore, over-all the contributions of Christian missionaries in North East
India have been significant in bringing about social change and alleviating
suffering among economically marginalized segments of society and to bring
new life in Jesus Christ.
These are to be acknowledged. The church has to continue in the overall
development of this great nation, India. Jai Hind!

Dear Brother Dr. David Sagar,

Greetings in the name of Christ! How are you doing? It was wonderful opportunity to see
you in our recent zoom meeting on CRPC. That is a good beginning.
May I take this time to express to you one of my heart’s desires here in Nagaland. Last year
during my visit of USA, do you remember I give you a brochure called “The Sanctuary” (A
recreation space for Elders). After my retirement from the CBCNEI I want to start this
ministry by early next year 2024. The building construction will be completed by end of this
year. It’s a big building: its 100x40 ([Link]) and I am going to use the first floor for the
ministry.
My personal request is this. Can some of the Telegu Baptist churches over there in Chicago
area can come forward to help me support, (i) Two Counselling and Prayer rooms at the cost
of $4,400/- (ii) One Meeting room for 22 + people at the cost of $5,000/- (iii)Ten Air
Conditioners at the cost of $5,500/-. I need total amount of $ 14,900/- (Fourteen Thousand
Four Hundred).
Please pray with me and may I request you to find possibility through our churches over
there. Hear from you again.
Thanking you.
In Christ,
Brother Rev. Dr. AkhetoSema
General Secretary, CBCNEI

Dear Brother Dr. David Sagar,

Greetings in the name of Christ! How are you doing? It was wonderful opportunity to see
you in our recent zoom meeting on CRPC. That is a good beginning.
May I take this time to express to you one of my heart’s desires here in Nagaland. Last year
during my visit of USA, do you remember I give you a brochure called “The Sanctuary” (A
recreation space for Elders). After my retirement from the CBCNEI I want to start this
ministry by early next year 2024. The building construction will be completed by end of this
year. It’s a big building: its 100x40 ([Link]) and I am going to use the first floor for the
ministry.
My personal request is this. Can some of the Telegu Baptist churches over there in Chicago
area can come forward to help me support, (i) Two Counselling and Prayer rooms at the cost
of $4,400/- (ii) One Meeting room for 22 + people at the cost of $5,000/- (iii) Ten Air
Conditioners at the cost of $5,500/-. I need total amount of $ 14,900/- (Fourteen Thousand
Four Hundred).
Please pray with me and may I request you to find possibility through our churches over
there. Hear from you again.
Thanking you.
In Christ,
Brother Rev. Dr. AkhetoSema
General Secretary, CBCNEI

Dear Brother Dr. David Sagar,

Greetings in the name of Christ! How are you doing? It was wonderful opportunity to see
you in our recent zoom meeting on CRPC. That is a good beginning.
May I take this time to express to you one of my heart’s desires here in Nagaland. Last year
during my visit of USA, do you remember I give you a brochure called “The Sanctuary” (A
recreation space for Elders). After my retirement from the CBCNEI I want to start this
ministry by early next year 2024. The building construction will be completed by end of this
year. It’s a big building: its 100x40 ([Link]) and I am going to use the first floor for the
ministry.
My personal request is this. Can some of the Telegu Baptist churches over there in Chicago
area can come forward to help me support, (i) Two Counselling and Prayer rooms at the cost
of $4,400/- (ii) One Meeting room for 22 + people at the cost of $5,000/- (iii) Ten Air
Conditioners at the cost of $5,500/-. I need total amount of $ 14,900/- (Fourteen Thousand
Four Hundred).
Please pray with me and may I request you to find possibility through our churches over
there. Hear from you again.
Thanking you.
In Christ,
Brother Rev. Dr. AkhetoSema
General Secretary, CBCNEI
Good afternoon/morning friends and
greetings in the name of Christ to all of you.

Thank you so much for including me in

today’s program and also the opportunity
given to me to bring short message on this
occasion.

I take this opportunity to mention that today

we are living in difficult time.

The church in India is going through a distress

situation. The church is going through the
valley of the shadow of darkness and the
Body of Christ where we all belong to, is
disturbed and put in an uncomfortable
situation.
We live in a crucial and challenging time.
Socio-political-health-environmental and
religious scenarios in the world today are
posing unrest, insecurity, threats,
discrimination, injustice and so and so forth.
More seriously, coming to our own Indian
context, the social, political and religious
situations today are big challenges before us.
Our government is carrying out its
governance whether for good or otherwise
that we are all aware of it. As good and
responsible citizens of the land, we try to
abide by the Indian Constitution that provides
equality, freedom, secular ideology for just
and harmonious living but the situation seems
to be turning to a different direction now.
Our leaders at the center and in the States
should not forget the contributions made by
the Christians, the church, in the past, today
and we shall continue to contribute in the
future.
In the past, Christians have
Today, in a given situation, where do the
church stand today? Shall we uphold the
Indian Constitution where the right to
embrace any religion one wants is enshrined?
Do we not have the right to freedom of
speech to propagate one’s belief?
The church has the Constitutional right. Fight
for justice based on our Constitutional Rights
for communal harmony, peace and freedom
of religion.

Pray for our leaders in the country for God’s

wisdom and right judgment.
In the context of majority and minority status,
where one is a minority, one lives in a very
uncomfortable zone. To some of us, we are
living in comfortable zone and so the feeling
of security is felt.

Tomorrow, should the same situation which is

happening with the churches outside of our
jurisdiction come to us, will we be able to face
the tests? We need to come out of our
comfort zone and face the challenges. The
Indian church today with less than 3% of
population, is going through the valley of the
shadow of darkness, of uncertainty,
insecurity, intimidation and persecution.
Where do we stand? There is need to revision
mission and ministry in such contexts.

The Church should be relevant in the context

of the people and the society but never
compromise with the world. Time and
situation demand the merging of various
strategies for effective ministry-Christ at the
Centre, lest things fall apart. Centrality of
Christ with its uniqueness is above all names.
His Gospel is above all cultures. Friends, in
times like this, we must be together, face the
challenges together, pray together. Hold on
to the promises of God together.

Fight for justice based on our Constitutional

Rights for communal harmony, peace and
freedom of religion.

Pray for our leaders in the country for God’s

wisdom and right judgment.

In Matt. 10:16- Jesus said that, we are to be

wise as serpents and that we are to be sober,
vigilant and constantly on guard.

Let us re-vision the church’s educational

ministry, appropriate and relevant to the
context around us and continue the work of
Christ through us in extending the Kingdom of
God on earth. Jesus said: “The field is
ripeThechurch is not exempted from the
challenging realities of today’s world. Rather,
the church has to face them and also think of
its mission and ministry taking into
consideration of the given context.

Our leaders at the center and in the States

should not forget the contributions made by
the Christians, the church, in the past, today
and we shall continue to contribute in the
future.
In the past, Christians have

The socio-religious and political scenario in

our region is rapidly changing, which is
adversely affecting the church in recent times.
However, we resolved to stand firm together
as the Body of Christ by committing ourselves
by deeper study of the Word, more intentional
discipleship, and greater commitment to serve
our society with the love of Jesus Christ,
despite the increasing unfriendliness from
various angles.

God is sovereign and He cares for His Church

much more than we do. So, the seemingly bad
times for the church should not discourage us.
Rather, they can be great opportunities for the
church to grow. Therefore, we resolved to
increase our mission effort at all possible
levels rather than restraining it so that God’s
kingdom keeps on growing from strength to
strength in our region.

The larger problem in the country today is the

mixing of religion with politics which has
perpetuated a cycle of division in our society.
The role of the government is to safeguard
and to protect its citizens but intolerance and
hate speeches causing fears, intimidation,
insecurity and sporadic violence are slowly
seen in writings, communication in medias
and in actions.
The presence of the church (God’s people) in
India with its minority status should be
safeguarded from the hands of the majority
Hindu Community. The issue of majority and
minority complexes and its implication in the
lives of the Indian communities. There is also
an issue on acquiring ‘Minority Certificate’
for tribal people in which case ST status is
likely to be removed. On the other hand,
passing of anti-conversion laws by
government in several states with its primary
purpose of curtailing the activities of the
church is a major concern.

In such a situation, where do the church stand

today? Shall we uphold the Indian
Constitution where the right to embrace any
religion one wants is enshrined? Do we not
have the right to freedom of speech to
propagate one’s belief? The church has the
Constitutional right. In the context of majority
and minority status, where one is a minority,
one lives in a very uncomfortable zone. To
some of us, we are living in comfortable zone
and so the feeling of security is felt.

Tomorrow, should the same situation which is

happening with the churches outside of our
jurisdiction come to us, will we be able to face
the tests? We need to come out of our
comfort zone and face the challenges. The
Indian church today with less than 3% of
population, is going through the valley of the
shadow of darkness, of uncertainty,
insecurity, intimidation and persecution.
Where do we stand? There is need to revision
mission and ministry in such contexts.

The Church should be relevant in the context

of the people and the society but never
compromise with the world. Time and
situation demand the merging of various
strategies for effective ministry-Christ at the
Centre, lest things fall apart. Centrality of
Christ with its uniqueness is above all names.
His Gospel is above all cultures. Friends, in
times like this, we must be together, face the
challenges together, pray together. Hold on
to the promises of God together.

Fight for justice based on our Constitutional

Rights for communal harmony, peace and
freedom of religion.

Pray for our leaders in the country for God’s

wisdom and right judgment.

In Matt. 10:16- Jesus said that, we are to be

wise as serpents and that we are to be sober,
vigilant and constantly on guard.

Let us re-vision the church’s educational

ministry, appropriate and relevant to the
context around us and continue the work of
Christ through us in extending the Kingdom of
God on earth. Jesus said: “The field is ripened.
The harvest is
and in this given juncture, we must come
together leaving aside our denominational
differences, practices and traditions. We have
to come together in spirit and in prayer,
supporting each other.
I on behalf of the Christian brothers and
sisters in NEI, and in particular, from the
Council of Baptist Churches in NEI, I bring
warm greetings to all of you who are
participating in this program.

Today, the church in India is going through three stages of its existence.

There are churches that are in a comfortable situation. Situation seems to be

fine and okay. But we cannot take for granted that things will be fine with us.
Complacency will destroy us.

There are churches that are in an uncomfortable situation, going through

insecurity, threats and intimidation.

And there are churches that are in a critical situation where our brothers and
sisters are directly persecuted and arrested. They live under the anti-
conversion law.

Friends, in times like this, we must be together, face the challenges together,
pray together. Hold on to the promises of God together.

Fight for justice based on our Constitutional Rights for communal harmony,
peace and freedom of religion.

Pray for our leaders in the country for God’s wisdom and right judgment.
In Matt. 10:16- Jesus said that, we are to be wise as serpents and that we are
to be sober, vigilant and constantly on guard.
In such a time like this, may the Living Word of God in the Bible be the lamp to
our feet and a light to our paths, strength and courage to face challenges and
be victorious in the name of Jesus Christ.

God bless the BSI.

These are not only in the hands of the rulers, the governments to tackle the
issues. It is every individual concern too. We do not live in an island. The
church and theological community cannot shy away from the day-to-day socio-
political problems. When there is peace in the world, we also have the same
impact. When people are at war with each other for known and unknown
reasons, it certainly disturbs us. The connectivity is so strong that, in the name
of friendship, partnership, open-door policies, dependency and security, we,
many times, get into troubles.

More seriously, coming to our own Indian context, the social, political and
religious situations today are big challenges before us. Our government is
carrying out its governance whether for good or otherwise that we are all
aware of it. As good and responsible citizens of the land, we try to abide by the
Indian Constitution that provides equality, freedom, secular ideology for just
and harmonious living but the situation seems to be turning to a different
direction now.

1. The socio-religious and political scenario in our region is rapidly changing, which is
adversely affecting the church in recent times. However, we resolved to stand firm
together as the Body of Christ by committing ourselves by deeper study of the Word,
more intentional discipleship, and greater commitment to serve our society with the love
of Jesus Christ, despite the increasing unfriendliness from various angles.
2. God is sovereign and He cares for His Church much more than we do. So, the seemingly
bad times for the church should not discourage us. Rather, they can be great opportunities
for the church to grow. Therefore, we resolved to increase our mission effort at all
possible levels rather than restraining it so that God’s kingdom keeps on growing from
strength to strength in our region.

The larger problem in the country today is the mixing of religion with politics
which has perpetuated a cycle of division in our society. The role of the
government is to safeguard and to protect its citizens but intolerance and hate
speeches causing fears, intimidation, insecurity and sporadic violence are
slowly seen in writings, communication in medias and in actions. The presence
of the church (God’s people) in India with its minority status should be
safeguarded from the hands of the majority Hindu Community. The issue of
majority and minority complexes and its implication in the lives of the Indian
communities. There is also an issue on acquiring ‘Minority Certificate’ for tribal
people in which case ST status is likely to be removed. On the other hand,
passing of anti-conversion laws by government in several states with its
primary purpose of curtailing the activities of the church is a major concern.

In such a situation, where do the church stand today? Shall we uphold the
Indian Constitution where the right to embrace any religion one wants is
enshrined? Do we not have the right to freedom of speech to propagate one’s
belief? The church has the Constitutional right. In the context of majority and
minority status, where one is a minority, one lives in a very uncomfortable
zone. To some of us, we are living in comfortable zone and so the feeling of
security is felt. Tomorrow, should the same situation which is happening with
the churches outside of our jurisdiction come to us, will we be able to face the
tests? We need to come out of our comfort zone and face the challenges. The
Indian church today with less than 3% of population, is going through the
valley of the shadow of darkness, of uncertainty, insecurity, intimidation and
persecution. Where do we stand? There is need to revision mission and
ministry in such contexts.

The Church should be relevant in the context of the people and the society but
never compromise with the world. Time and situation demands the merging of
various strategies for effective ministry-Christ at the centre, lest things fall
apart. Centrality of Christ with its uniqueness is above all names. His Gospel is
above all cultures.

Let us re-vision the church’s educational ministry, appropriate and relevant to

the context around us and continue the work of Christ through us in extending
the Kingdom of God on earth. Jesus said: “The field is ripened. The harvest is
plentiful. We need more labourers.” We are sent into the world. You need to
face the challenges in the name of Christ. Remember what Jesus said, “Go your
way; behold, I send you out as lambs among the wolves.” (Luke 10:3). St. Paul
reminds us in Ephesians 5:15, “So watch your step, Use your head. Make the
most of every chance you get. These are desperate times.” There are many
challenges we have to face. But with God in all your undertakings, we will be
victorious and successful.

The Lord bless the church as we enter into the world and get involve in various
ministries to extend God’s Kingdom and for the edification of God’s people.
A Glimpse of the 73rd Annual General Meeting of the CBCNEI
Held at Konyak Baptist BumeinokBangjum (KBBB) in Mon District,
Nagaland.
(21-23 March, 2023)

The 73rd Annual general meeting of CBCNEI with the theme “Faithful to all His
promises”from Psalm 145: 13 hosted by Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) was held
from 21-23 March, 2023 at Mission Centre of Konyak Baptist BumeinokBangjum (KBBB) in
Mon District, Nagaland. The speakers were Mrs. Prof. Alongla P. Aier, Rev. Taku
Longkumer, and Rev. Prof. AkhetoSema.

The first day opening ceremony began with the flag hoisting led by the President of CBCNEI
along with all the Regional Secretaries. Followed by the evening worship service where a
brief history of Christianity among the Konyak tribe was presented in video, which include
the Konyaks before Christianity, the coming of the Gospel, the formation and development of
the Konyak Baptist BumeinokBangjum (KBBB). The worship was led by Mr.
NshenthangJishing, Vice President, CBCNEI, followed by an invocation prayer offered by
Rev. T. Karang, Director, Peace & Development, Manipur Baptist Convention. Rev. Prof.
AkhetoSema, General Secretary CBCNEI introduced and welcomed the CBCNEI officers,
Executive members, delegates, and the invitees Rev. Dr. Benjamin Chan, Rev. Taku &
KatieLongkumer, International Ministries (IM); Rev. Samaresh Nayak, India Mission
Coordination Committee (IMCC); Rev. Prabin Kumar Barik of United Christian Prayer for
India (UCPI). Rev. [Link], General Secretary, NBCC welcomed all the delegates
from the Conventions and Associations. He also brought a note of appreciation to KBBB for
their untiring and unselfish work done in hosting the 73rd AGM of the CBCNEI.

Mr. Norbu Lama, President CBCNEI opened his presidential address quoting from Psalm
145:13 “Faithful to all His promises.” Finding our priorities will make all his promises
fulfilled in our lives. God has given us a lot of opportunities that made us come closer to Him
through which His promises are being fulfilled. He said that CBCNEI has created many
avenues and opportunities; we only need to avail those avenues and opportunities for both
spiritual and secular. We only need to cooperate and be connected with one another. Mon
Theological College (MTC) students presented a beautiful and enriching message through
songs while the scripture portion was read out by Mr. MankaiWangsu, Mission Secretary,
Arunachal Baptist Church Council (ABCC) from Psalm 95.

On the key note addressed by Rev. Prof. AkhetoSema, General Secretary, CBCNEI
encouraged the gathering by presenting the socio-political and religious scenario of our
Nation posing a challenge to our churches. We, as Christian leaders, where are we? Many of
us are in our comfort zone and many are in difficult situations. Difficult times at our door;
challenges before us are unprecedented. Therefore, we must stand firm and be grounded in
the Rock of Ages so that we can firmly stand as the storm of life hits us so violently. Be
prepared to face challenges. Come out from the comfort zone and complacency. Tell the
world and our leaders that Jesus is the only Way, Truth, and Life. In the midst of storm,
difficulty, turmoil, socio-political unrest, religious intolerance we must hold on to the
promises of God; cling on to the Rock of our Salvation; hold on to the anchor, and let us
continue to hold fast to the promises of God.

The evening service closed with a congregational hymn, “Standing on the Promises of God”
followed by a closing prayer and benediction pronounced by the Executive Secretary of
Krima XVI, Garo Baptist Convention.

The second day began with the worship through singing led by the KBBB worship team,
followed by an invocation prayer offered by Mr. PunesayiSwuro, Director, CLC. The
devotion was led by Rev. Prof. Woba James, Eastern Theological College, Jorhat. He
encouraged the leaders of conventions and associations from Psalm 145:13, Colossians 1:28
– 29 based on the theme “Christian Attitude.” He resounds that no matter what title or
position we are holding, the most important thing is our attitude in the sight of God and
people. We, as Christians and leaders, attitude matters the most. He focuses attitude on
a) Our attitude towards God (Exodus 20:2, Deut. 6:1-8, Matt 22:37-38)
b) Our attitude towards one self (Mark 10:45, Phil 2:3-4)
c) Our attitude towards others (Matthew 22, 4:44-45)
He concluded with a challenge – what is our attitude towards God, ourselves, and others. We
need to get our attitude right with God, ourselves and others.

For the 73rd AGM of CBCNEI, the following resolutions have been adopted prepared by the
resolution committee led by Rev. Dr. V. AtsiDolie as Convenor, Rev. Nilutpal Soren as
Member, and Rev. Raimi Rimai as Member.

3. CBCNEI is a family, but the “family feeling” has not been at its best very often.
Therefore, we resolved to promote the bonding among the Conventions and Associate
Members better by extending the hands of fellowship to one another more readily. In
relation to that, we resolved to strengthen ministry partnership by sharing information and
addressing the needs together wherever possible.
4. The socio-religious and political scenario in our region is rapidly changing, which is
adversely affecting the church in recent times. However, we resolved to stand firm
together as the Body of Christ by committing ourselves by deeper study of the Word,
more intentional discipleship, and greater commitment to serve our society with the love
of Jesus Christ, despite the increasing unfriendliness from various angles.
5. God is sovereign and He cares for His Church much more than we do. So, the seemingly
bad times for the church should not discourage us. Rather, they can be great opportunities
for the church to grow. Therefore, we resolved to increase our mission effort at all
possible levels rather than restraining it so that God’s kingdom keeps on growing from
strength to strength in our region.
6. The present leadership of our churches must pray and plan for the future of Christian faith
in the region. As such, focused ministry to children and youth is imperative. We resolved
to encourage and support ministries to the younger generation so that next-line leadership
and the future of our Church are well placed.

The following evening service was led [Link], Principal, BTC. The
KBBB worship team led the worship songs, invocation prayer by Rev. [Link], Principal,
ETC. The greetings were delivered by Rev. Y. Chingang Konyak, the first Field Director and
former Bible translator of KBBB, where he traces the history of the coming of Christianity
and the growth of the Konyak churches today. Followed by Rev. Samaresh Nayak, Executive
Director, India Mission Coordination Committee (IMCC), who shared about the ministry of
the IMCC and the formation of the National Council of Baptist Churches in India (NCBCI).
A challenging message based on Exodus 15:22 – 27 was brought by Mrs. Prof. AlonglaAier,
OTS, Dimapur. She opened her message with a note on the journey of the Israelites. God
allowed the journey from the land of bondage because God was faithful to His promises.
Nothing can stop his promises being fulfilled. The experience of Israelites at Marah was that
they found bitter water there. They began to grumble and complain. The bitter water was
turned to sweet drinkable water with the touch of a wood, which points to the cross of Jesus
Christ that brought salvation to humanity. Another experience of their journey within the
journey was at Elim, which is only 6 miles away from Marah. Elim is a place of oasis, a
resort-like place where one can find water and greens. The lessons through the message were:
a. God’s promises never fail, his promises remain faithful.
b. Times of testing come; trials and difficulties are inevitable to make us perfect in Him.
c. The bitter water at Marah is not far from the oasis at Elim; bitter times turn into
abundance.

The service ended with a closing prayer and benediction led by Rev. Onesima Anal,
President, MBC.

The third day Sunday morning service was led by Rev. Andrew Semp, Secretary, NMM. A
note of greetings was brought by Rev. Dr. Benjamin Chan, International Ministries. He states
that we live in the most terrible times of irrational, socio-political and religious turmoil, and
an evil and satanic world, even to the extent of killing as normal. In such a chaotic world’s
situation let us celebrate the relationship in Christ and brotherhood. Necrology for the year
2022 was presented by Rev. Raimi Rimai, Youth & Education Secretary, MBC and a
moment of silence was observed with a prayer offered for the bereaved families. Rev Prabin
Kumar Barik, United Christian Prayer for India (UCPI), brought a message of greetings from
UCPI. He encouraged every church and every individual to pray for one’s neighbours and
friends regularly. Mrs. Prof. Alongla P. Aier opened a challenging message by sharing a story
of a father who was faithful to his son and saved 14 children including his son. The message
echoes from Revelation 2: 8-13, a word to the church at Symrna; Jesus did not admonish or
rebuke the church, but a word of comfort to the suffering believers at Symrna. From this
passage she encourages the leaders to be faithful, be loyal, consistent, to remain unshaken.
Faithfulness is what is looking and wanting from his followers. Are we ready to face difficult
times ahead of us? Walking a right with God is the only way to stay faithful, even to the point
of death. As we return to our respective councils, conventions, associations and churches let’s
remain faithful to God.

There was a special farewell program for the outgoing Finance Secretary Mr. VikatoShikhu
in recognition of his service rendered to the Council for 10 years. Each Regional Secretaries,
Association Executive Secretaries acknowledge his services including acknowledgement
from the International Ministries (IM).

The evening valedictory service was led byRev. Kamson Rongphar, General Secretary,
KABC. Mr. Samuel Bezbaruah from Assam Baptist Convention wasinstalled as the new
Finance Secretary, CBCNEI. The act of installation was done by Rev. Dr. Benjamin Chan,
IM, with the word of prayer. Rev. Prof. AkhetoSema further made a note of appreciation and
acknowledgement to the outgoing President of the Council, Mr. Norbu Lama and outgoing
Finance Secretary Mr. VikatoShikhu for rendering their services to the Council. In
recognition of their services to the ministry of CBCNEI the council presented them a citation
and followed with a prayer of blessing offered by Rev. [Link], General Secretary,
NBCC.

Rev. Taku Longkumer, Consultant (IM) encouraged and urged all the NE churches to come
forward to support North East Christian University (NECU). He opened his challenging
message with a statement “commitment to serve.” Loving and serving God is not a feeling,
rather it is an action. Taking up the cross of Jesus Christ represents unconditional
commitment to serve the Lord. In Christian ministry our success is not in terms of material
accumulation, but of value and character. We have proved by our purity, patience, love, and
preached faithfully. Let’s not forget our roots but go back to where we came from, the
promises of God.

The next 74th Annual General Meeting, CBCNEI in 2024 will be held at Wancho Baptist
Churches Association under [Link]. TugasoManyu, General Secretary, ABCC echoed
words of invitation to all the members in Conventions and [Link] behalf of the
Council Rev. BoipuSerto, Mission Secretary, CBCNEI expressed the vote of thanks.

The council thanked all the speakers, invitees, programme officials, and delegates from all
the six conventions, associations and associate members for their participation. Lastly, but
not the least heartfelt thanks to NBCC and KBBB for the hard work they have rendered and
making the 73rd Annual General Meeting of CBCNEI a grand success. Altogether 200+
delegates from the Conventions, Associations and Associate members including the local
pastor from KBBB participated. We give all glory and honor to God for His leading
throughout the program. We look forward to see you all at Wancho in 2024. God Bless all.
TOWARDS A HOLISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN
THE CHURCH
Contributed by-
Rev. Dr. Prof. AkhetoSema,
General Secretary, CBCNEI
& Former Principal, Eastern
Theological College, Jorhat, Assam.

Christian education is understood as a life time process of teaching-

learning about life from Christian point of view and it starts from an
early stage of life and continue till the end of one’s life. It is a life-
time process of teaching-learning about God, self, family, the church
community, the society and the world at-large.
And therefore, there are two ways in understanding of Christian
education or educational ministry of the church. In one hand, the focal
point is to promote and nurture the faith community (church) towards
spiritual life and maturity, giving hope to men and women of eternal
salvation ‘here-after’. On the other hand, to promote social Gospel,
that is, to advocate education for social transformation by ushering in
the values of the Kingdom of God on earth,‘here and now’. And so,
the whole purpose of Christian education become a process of both
spiritual and social transformation, transforming individuals,
community and the society.

With this brief introduction, we need to understand the role of

Christian education from two perspectives. Traditionally, Christian
education in the church is understood as transmitting the biblical
content/texts to the learners. The focus is on nurturing each
individual’s experience and religious quest. The same trend is seen
even in the present approach to Christian education which is geared
towards spiritual development and indoctrination through teachings or
instructions. Such approach is to enable the learners to grow in
Christian faith leading to spiritual maturity.
Jack L. Seymour and Donald E. Miller stated that, “traditional
Christian education is criticized as deficient because it tends to deal
with privatistic individualism and with unembodied content, both of
which insulate church members from the harsh realities of the world” 1
In other words, traditional Christian education lacks the concern for
existential realities of the world which is in fact very important in our
context today.
The lack ofin-depth study of the biblical content for doctrinal,
sacramental and moralistic teachings makes the educational ministry
of the church more ‘content-oriented’ and fails to relate to present
existential realities. This makes us to think whether the present
Christian education should be Bible-centered or life-centered is a
controversial issue these days.2Whether Christian education is to
maintain the status quo of the church by adhering to indoctrination
and individual salvation or it should also be an instrument for
transforming the society.
In the face of the multi-cultural, multi-religious and the social realities
around us today, Christian education or rather educational ministry of
the church is challenged to emphasis on “becoming’(praxis) and not
on “knowing’ (knowledge). The context demands that Christian
education should aim not only for change of individual persons but
also for change of the structural systems of the society. It calls for a
paradigm shift from ‘content-centered’ to ‘life-centered’ education;
from ‘ecclesio-contend’ to ‘social-oriented’, in order to address the
context of the society. A shift from an individual concern to
community welfare should be in the agenda of Christian education
today.

1
Jack L. Seymour & Donald E. Miller [Link]. Contemporary Approaches to Christian Education. Nashville:
Abingdon Press, 1982, p.25
2
Samson Prabhakar, “Towards A Christian educational for An Inclusive Community”, A Seminar Paper
presented at U.T.C. June 21, 1996, p. 3
In a constantly changing socio-political, economic, cultural and
religious scenario in the world, Christian faith is tested and challenged
to deal with many realities of life. The church in her educational
ministry should give importance to the changes by defining the nature
and purpose of Christian education. In fact, there is an urgent need for
changing the mode of Christian education in the church.
In this connection, John Westerhoff is of the opinion that, “a call for
radical reformulation of the way we approach the educational ministry
of the church needs to be taken seriously”.3 This is to suggest a
holistic approach to Christian education in which spiritual, physical
and social concerns need to be emphasized.
When we look at the present educational ministry of the church, the
focus is on Sunday School for Children making merely a
compartmentalized classroom for nurturing children with Christian
values. It becomes a one-sided program. One would agree with Paulo
Freire, a Brazilian secular educationistwho said that, the traditional
classroom learning method in which education means no more than
liberating the pupils from their black boards, from passive classes and
bookish curricula; it means just providing slide projects and other
visual aids, dynamic class plans and technical professional
instructions4.
Therefore, the educational ministry of the church should evolve a
system that transcends the existing traditional pattern to a radically
transformed education which can project a holistic and liberative
nature and purpose of Christian education.
From a holistic perspective, the nature of Christian education will
involve, first of all, the whole person, which includes one’s intellect,
physical, spiritual and social aspects. It is not simply being satisfied
with a mere increase in knowledge at a cognitive level but it is also
engaging and shaping the whole person transforming one’s beliefs,
attitudes, values, behavior and the social realities around. In other
3
John Westerhoff, Will Our Children Have Faith? New York: Seabury press, 1976, p.6
4
Paulo Freire, “The Educational Role of the Church in Latin America”, in Washington, D.C: LADOC III, 14,
1972, p.11
words, it leads to a holistic way of thinking, feeling, and acting and
contributes to human wholeness, integrity and justice. 5
Christian education is also holistic because teaching and learning
takes place within the community of faith or church. This means,
education of the whole person is not an individual endeavor but it is
something that happens within the community of the church. The
learning process involves the active participation of the whole
community through dialogue and co-operation amongst the members.
Such learning is what Paulo Freire envisaged in his ‘culture-circle’
method of education where learning to share and grow together for
the benefit of each and every member in the community takes place.
The process can help the whole community to develop skills for
critical thinking by discerning their own ‘stories and experiences’6in a
creative tension. Further, they can discover meanings for personal,
communal, and social life.
Most importantly, Christian education is holistic because it is
liberative. This raises the issue of the liberative nature of Christian
education. Here liberation in a narrower sense, could mean “spiritual
liberation’ in order to make the learners grow into spiritual maturity.
The principal aim of Christian education under this concept is to
attain the life of Christ or become mature in Christ’s nature through
the transforming power of God.
5
Kate Seijk, “Towards A Holistic Religious Education: Reflections and Pedagogical possibilities”, in Religious
Education, vol. 89, No. 2, Spring 1994, p.300
6
Thomas Groome, a Roman Catholic Religious educationist developed what he calls a ‘shared praxis’ approach
to Christian education within the church. Taking this idea from Paulo Freire’s method, Groome maintains how
the Christian faith/traditions and one’s experience can be related, integrated and interpreted critically by
defining what he called ‘five moments’ in his approach to Christian education. (see pp. 207-223 in Thomas
Groome, Christian Religious Education: Sharing our Story and Vision. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1986).
They are, (1) “Naming present action”, i.e., action that gives expression to the self and to name our own activity,
our engagement in the world, living on personal, interpersonal and social level: (2) “Critical Reflections”, i.e., to
critically reflect and evaluate our past, present, and future stories and visions through participation; (3) “Stories
and vision in dialogue”, i.e., each person in the educational setting brings to the shared moment of one’s own
past, present, and vision of the future; (4) “Dialectical between the story and participant’s stories”, i.e., to
discuss the way the faith community’s story affects our personal stories, and (5) “Dialectic between the vision
and participant’s vision”, i.e., to be critique in our present action in the light of the vision of God’s Kingdom,
and to decide on future action that will be an appropriate response to that vision. This also coincide with Paulo
Freire’s emphasis on the importance of reflecting on the life situation and experience of the people and to
question the circumstances which oppress them, and the possibility to arouse them to action for change. It was
the conviction of Freire that critical thinking will enable the learners to develop the capacity to understood their
realities and then act to transform the situation.
Lois Le Bar, one of the evangelical Protestant Christian educationists
prescribed “spiritual maturity’ rather than outward conformity as the
goal of Christian education. She believes that the ultimate aim in
educational ministry of the church is “to glorify God…. By bringing
people nearer maturity in Christ”.7 A similar idea is also maintained
by Anza A. Lema that “any education undertaken by the church ought
to be the purpose of liberating men (women) and assisting them to
reach full maturity in Christ”.8
In a broader sense, liberation means humanization and social
transformation. This means that Christian education becomes holistic
because it takes into consideration both the inward and the outward
manifestations. It does view human beings in the completeness of
their humanity-physical, social and spiritual well-being. It deals with
a person in the light of his/her twofold existence: temporal and
eternal. It is an education that relates not only to spiritual
development but also to the transformation of the society.
Christian education is liberative because it seeks to help the learners
to develop the skill of critical thinking in such a way that it addresses
the ethical and social issues surrounding injustice. The goal of this
critical thinking is to help learners perceive, reflect and act upon
justice issues as a response to their faith based on the Gospel of Jesus
Christ9. It is learning to understand the realities of one’s society and
acting to transform the situation.
Paulo Freire’s popular participatory approach to education and that of
Thomas Groome10 who was influenced much by Freire’s work, stress
the need for a co-operative effort of both the teacher and the learners
in learning their realities. Freire and Groome’s concept of viewing the

7
Lois Le Bar, Focus on people in Christian Education, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell, 1968, p.33
8
Anza A. Lema, op. cit., p. 204
9
LWF office of Christian Education Magazine, “A Quest For New Approach to Christian Education: A
contribution by LWF Christian Education”, in Educator, 1/94, Dec 1994/Issue(i), p.5.
10
According to Groome, the learners are brothers/sister pilgrims in time with us. All of them have their own
unique history (story) and destiny (vision). They are to be seen as “subjects not objects. In other words,
Groome’s idea is that, learners have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. As subjects, they have the
right to speak their word and to name their own reality in order to transform it. (see Thomas Groome, Christian
Education: Sharing our story and vision, [Link]., pp.263-264)
learners as ‘subject’ and not as ‘object’ challenges the churches to
seriously review their educational ministry.
In the present educational ministry of the church, the learners are
viewed as objects-ignorant and silent, passive receivers of knowledge.
Their right to share and contribute is denied. Therefore, the church in
her educational ministry must involve the learners (i.e., the members
in the congregational or community) to know their realities so that
they can engage in transforming social and political structures for
justice towards a realized vision of the Kingdom of God.
Freire’s liberative education as the practice of freedom, and an act of
consciousness can help towards a critical perception of reality to
transform it. An education for liberation which includes all values of
God’s reign like justice, peace, love, reconciliation, hope, joy,
mutuality, equality etc., 11can be a great challenge for the church in
her educational ministry.
The Indian churches need to re-think Christian educational ministry in
the line of humanization of human beings and the transformation of
the world. Its ministry should address the issues of suffering,
exploitation, oppression and dehumanization. It is to denounce such
practices and announce a new reality, that is freedom or liberation.
As reflected by Kate Seijk, “Contemporary religious education is
better able to contribute to human wholeness, health, and freedom
when its pedagogical praxis is shaped from the holistic perspective”. 12
This would mean that, Christian education is to be seen as more than
imparting of the biblical content for spiritual development and
maturity. It also should be seen as holistic and liberative, catering to
the needs of human community based on justice, peace and love.

11
Thomas Kalathuveettil, Shared-Pp.84.
12
Kate Siejk, [Link].,p.271
Editorial Note
Greetings in Christ.
With the faithfulness of the Lord and His steadfast love, the 73 rd Annual General
Meeting of the Council could be held from 21-23 April 2023 at Konyak Baptist
BumeinokBangjum (KBBB) Mission Centre, Mon Town, Nagaland. We are thankful
to the host Convention Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) and to the KBBB
for the arrangement made for all the CBCNEI officials and delegates for
comfortable stay. Indeed, it was a memorable gathering and we speciallythank
the officials and staff of KBBB and to all the churches under the Association for
their warmhospitality, generosity and friendship shown to all who attended the
meeting.
The theme for the 73rd AGM was, “Faithful in All His Promises” taken from
Psalm 145:13. We are thankful to the speakers, Mrs. Prof. AlonglaAier, Rev. Taku
Longkumer and Rev. Prof. WobaJames for sharing the messages. This is also to
acknowledge with thanks, the contributions of Mr. Norbu Lama, who served the
Council as its President for 3 years. His commendable leadership helped the
Council move forward in many ways. We will remain grateful to him. With his
service come to an end, we welcome the new President Rev. SR. Onesima Anal
and we look forward to his leadership in the days ahead. Also, we give thanks to
all the delegates from the Regional Conventions, Associations, Churches,
Associates, IMCC, UCPI and International Ministries, USA whose participation in
the meeting was very encouraging and a blessing to all. Above all, we thank our
Almighty God for His unceasing love and help making the meeting a great
success.
In this issue, we have the Reports from the General Secretary and from the six
Regional Conventions of all the activities and programs which were carried out
from 2022-2023 fiscal year. From the reports, we want our readers to know the
activities of the Council and also to keep us in your prayer. Besides this, may I
remind you about the situation in the State of Manipur that requires unceasing
and deepest concern. Due to recent unrest and violence which started from 3 rd
May 2023 thousands of men, women and children are displaced, rendered
homeless and are made to suffer. Several churches destroyed and burnt down,
houses belonging to the victims burnt down; children and college/university
going students had to seek admissions outside of Manipur since the institutions
are closed.
In such a situation, our prayer and moral support is not enough. We have to go
beyond, walk extra-mile to reach out to people who are going through untold
hardship, pain and miseries. The CBCNEI made an effort to carry out Relief works
with the donations/contributions received within the country and overseas. We
are so thankful to all the individuals, churches, Associations and Conventions
under the CBCNEI in particular and others churches and Christian organizations
in general for their generous contributions. In this relief works, we are so thankful
to Manipur Baptist Convention staff for taking the trouble of assisting us in
distributing the essential food items, medicines and other items required by
women and children in different camps. The same is undertaken from Mizoram
side through Baptist Church of Mizoram to reach out to displaced people in
Churachandpur, Manipur. We still have to do more as and when called upon. The
Relief work was carried in all the camps irrespective of community & religion.
Let us all unite and give our best to stand by those who are in need of our
support, also uphold in prayer our brothers & sisters in Manipur in this
very uncertain and critical situation. May our voices be heard in whatever
possible way as we continue to pray and may God, in all His greatness,
reveal to us His mighty works.

Rev. AkhetoSema
General Secretary, CBCNEI
TokihoRochill: A life committed to faith and Service.

TokihoRochill, a devout Christian and a dedicated missionary, was born in 1957 at the Aizuto
Mission Center in Nagaland, India. From an early age, he exhibited a strong passion for
spreading the teachings of Christianity and nurturing the spiritual growth of others. This
biography traces the remarkable journey of TokihoRochill, a man who devoted his life to
serving God and his community. During his formative years, Tokiho attended the Baptist
English School in Zunheboto for his middle school education. He then continued his studies
at the Government High School in Zunheboto for his high school education. In 1978, Tokiho
embarked on a theological journey by enrolling at the Eastern Theological College in Jorhat,
Assam. For the next four years, he diligently pursued his Bachelor of Theology degree,
immersing himself in the study of Christian theology and gaining a comprehensive
understanding of his faith. After completing his B. Th., Tokiho pursued further theological
education and enrolled at Serampore College in Kolkata to obtain his Bachelor of Divinity
(B. D.) degree. This period of his life was marked by great dedication and commitment as he
honed his knowledge and prepared himself for a lifetime of Christian service. Tokiho's
unwavering faith led him to embark on a mission trip to Arunachal Pradesh, where he sought
to spread Christianity among the Hindu community. However, his efforts were met with
resistance, and he was unjustly imprisoned for his faith. This experience only strengthened
his resolve to persevere in his mission, inspiring others with his unwavering faith and
commitment.
In 1989, Tokiho returned to the Aizuto Mission Center, where he played various roles with
utmost dedication and devotion. He served as an assistant teacher at the Bible School, taking
on the responsibility of nurturing young minds in their spiritual growth. Additionally, he
served as the Youth Secretary and Literature Secretary, actively engaging with the
community and promoting Christian literature. Recognizing his leadership qualities, Tokiho
was appointed as the Headmaster of the Bible School, where he guided students on their path
to becoming faithful and knowledgeable disciples. In 1993, Tokiho assumed the role of
Academic Dean at Trinity Theological College, where he further demonstrated his
commitment to theological education. His vision and leadership were instrumental in shaping
the institution's curriculum and guiding aspiring theologians in their studies. Driven by an
insatiable thirst for knowledge and a desire to deepen his understanding of theology, Tokiho
pursued his Master of Theology (M. Th.) degree at the United Theological College in
Bangalore from 1996 to 1998. In 1990, Tokiho embarked on another significant chapter of
his life when he married and started a family. He and his wife Bokali were blessed with two
children: Lia TokihoRochill, who pursued higher education in Delhi, earning a Master of
Social Work (M.S.W.) and a Master of Divinity (M. Div.) from BST, currently finishing her
Doctor of Ministry from BST while serving as the Director of Admissions and International
Student Chaplain at Berkeley School of Theology, Berkeley California; and Hilo Rochill,
who is currently completing his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Nagaland, India.
Tragically, TokihoRochill's life was cut short in the year 2000, leaving behind a profound
legacy of faith and service. His unwavering commitment to spreading the teachings of
Christianity, coupled with his passion for education and nurturing young minds, continues to
inspire and influence countless individuals. Though his physical presence may have departed,
the memory of TokihoRochill lives on, reminding us of the profound impact one person can
make through a life dedicated to faith, service, and love.
A longtime friend Rev. [Link] General Secretary Council of Baptist Churches in
Northeast India remembers Tokiho fondly saying, “Tokiho was a remarkable individual,
brimming with talent, kindness, and a deep reverence for elders. He possessed a genuine
warmth and an unwavering willingness to assist anyone in need. Sadly, his time in this world
was cut short, leaving us with a profound sense of loss. Yet, we hold no regrets, only
gratitude for the life he lived. Tokiho's legacy teaches us valuable lessons: to embrace
positivity, to cultivate respect for one another. As humans, we all carry inherent limitations
and weaknesses, but we must forge ahead in life until our final calling to reunite with our
creator. The reality of life and death is an inescapable truth, one that humbles us. There is
nothing to boast about in our existence; we should never take anything for granted”.
Dear Board Members of the FNECU
Greetings from CBCNEI!
Glad we had emergency zoom meeting on 14 th June 2023. Once again let
me reiterate to the members that the CBCNEI has one and only Foreign
Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) and any money that is
send/transferred from overseas comes to State Bank of India (SBI) in
Delhi. And from Delhi, information comes to the CBCNEI Finance
department stating that such and such amount is
received/remitted/credited from so and so for CBCNEI with description
of the recipient/beneficiary. This is how we have been dealing with
foreign contributions.
For distribution of funds received, we do follow strictly the new FCRA
rules lest we get into trouble and have our account cancelled. While
with much carefulness we have been handling the funds received
following the FCRA rules, there has been misunderstanding, confusion
and suspicion. This has to be totally avoided with good understanding
from both ends.
Now, specifically coming to handling of NECU funds and especially the
funds that comes from FNECU there has been confusion and
misunderstanding. After our meeting yesterday, I checked the Account
Statement from 1st October 2022 to 14th April 2023 and there is transfer
of money for NECU on 2 March 2023 (Rs.36,18,715.50). There is no
other transfer of money for NECU. The issue on having sent money but
returned to the donor after deduction of $1600.00etc is not reflected at
all in the Account Statement received from SBI, Delhi. How it was
processed, which date the transfer was done, which date the money
was returned to the donor etc has to be spelled out. I have all the
downloaded Account Statement from October 2022 to April 2023 sent
from our FCRA account in SBI, Delhi. I will send that to you if you agree.
More seriously, this is to let our esteemed members to know that, I
have never, never authorized to transfer the money to MONZO Bank
account in England. I have no any connection in England at [Link] the
day we had zoom meeting Ruth showed on the screen the document
with my signature, designation, and seal in the CBCNEI official paper.
This is utter nonsense and I wonder who has done such thing. To
respect Ruth’s request not to spread to outside except within the
FNECU Board members I have not disclose to anyone here except Mr.
Samuel who is our new Finance secretary. But internally investigation is
going on.
With this horrible experience, the CBCNEI will double/triple check when
intimation is received about money transfer. And upon clearance
received from the donors we will do the needful from our end. Sorry for
all this mess but with this experience we shall be more responsible and
also be very cautious of scammers/fraud.

Sincerely Yours

AkhetoSema
General Secretary, CBCNEI

Dear Dr. Ben,

Greetings from CBCNEI!

The office of the CBCNEI has received an intimation from our FCRA account,
Delhi, stating that an amount of US$69800 has been remitted to CBCNEI FCRA
account sent from OGHS for Manipur [Link] 2022-2023 Annual
Budget Boville Murray. You may kindly check this and let me know. Thanks.
AkhetoSema

Dear Ruth,
Greetings from the CBCNEI!
Thanks for your email.
I got back to my office after a week break attending to other
official duties/ministries and got your email, date: Mon, June5,
2023 at 4:48 PM.I am terribly shocked to know that my name is
mentioned in the transferring of money for NECU to Monzo bank
account in England. This is very [Link] the first place, we
don’t have any account whatsoever in England. I suspect this
must be a scam/fraud. The only CBCNEI FCRA account we have is
in India. Please check this matter and see what went wrong. I had
a talk with Dr. Mar Imsong, Chairperson NECU and I told him I do
not know anything on this. My hands are clean in this matter.
All the money that comes from outside of India are transferred
directly to CBCNEI FCRA account.
God bless.
AkhetoSema
General Secretary/CBCNEI

Galatians 6:2 (A Practical Sermon)

“…Bear one another’s burdens…”
Paul’s letter-his admonition, encouragement to the believers in Galatia.
We live in a difficult situation. People go through various life’s situations on daily basis.
It can be Physical
It can be Emotional
It can be Spiritual
It can be attitude problem
It can be relational problem
It can be socio-political
Issues that we face.
Today, we become very individualistic
- Me first
- Others secondary
- Sometimes we have less botheration of others
 Biblical teachings
‘Bear one another’s burden.’
 The parable of ‘Good Samaritan’.
 Jesus’ teaching in ‘inclusive’ of both spiritual and social.
- The Gospel (Good news) of Jesus is both…
Love God with all
Love one’s neighbor

Jesus puts it- “The greatest commandment”.

In 3 ways we can bear one another’s burden.
(1) Identify the problems of other. Sometimes we have to get into their shoes.

In counselling……
- Identify the problem
- Not judgmental
- We all have fallen short
- Open our ears to listen
- “sympathy” is not enough
- “Empathy” is required
(2) Act upon it to bring about the solution/resolve the problem
- Be peacemaker
- Be a reconciler
- An active agent
- Hoi! Oh sorry….but pull out from the fallen pit.
(3) Bear the burden till the end.
 The Samaritan took care till everything ok. Sometime- the burden we have to carry is
life-time.
- A sick husband/wife… till the end to take care.
- Bearing other’s burden
- To bear one another’s burden.
 There is no selection of a particular person but to anyone who needs our help.
- No selection of person based on color, status, community but to all.
- No selection of how small and big the burden is.
- Treat equally!
Friends, to bear one another’s burden is a direct teaching from the Bible.
There is teaching from our parents & elders….” If an elder person is carrying a heavy load on
his/her back…. Go and help….
Your turn will also come when you will need help….someone to pick it from your
shoulder…
(I remember this moral & ethnical teaching from our elders)
Do not get tired to help others-
- He/she is my neighbor
- He/she is my friend
- He/she is a stranger
- He/she is a neglected person
- He/she is my father/mother/brother/sister
 The “burden” is not only physical burden.
- It can be an emotional burden
- It can be a relational burden
- It can be a spiritual burden
- It can be mental burden
‘Burden’ are both seen and unseen.
 We must learn to identify the burden
 Act upon it to help
 And, bear till the end
till he/she is relieved
All are God’s creation
There is no such as tall & short
There is no such as black/white/brown
There is no such as high & low
There is no such as educated, uneducated
There is no such as men & women
All need at one time or the other our help…. So also, we need help from others.
The scripture tells us..”Do unto others what you want others do to you.” (Ref………..)
End with illustration.
“On 6th August 1954, the first two atomic bombs were dropped in Hiroshima & Nagasaki.
Thousands/millions of people were killed.
During that time, there was a young boy who was seen carrying a brother on his back, who
was already dead. The soldiers who saw that boy carrying the dead body told him to thrown
away his brother who (we can ‘guess’ a dead body is heavier than a body that is still alive)
- The boy replied, “He is not heavy, is my brother,”
* Heavy or light-burden is burden.
* To teach/preach on ‘casting our burdens upon the Lord is not enough.
To,
All Cabinet Secretaries
CBCNEI
Subject: Duties and Responsibilities of Secretaries

Dear Friends,
This is for your information that the following Secretaries are
given the responsibilities in order to run the Council with much
efficiency and transparency. Your contributions towards the over-
all development and support shall be highly appreciated.

The followings are the portfolios:

1. CCC- incharge Mr. RajibZillie
2. Canteen incharge Mr. Malthyus

The rest of the portfolios will be the same with our

Secretaries.
Thank you very much for your understanding and
cooperation.
God bless.

Akheto
5th June 2023
To
Rev. B. Asher
General Secretary
National Council of Churches in India

Subject: Recommendation letter for 6 months of Internship in

Ecumenical Formation for Young People under NCCI at
Nagpur/Delhi.

Dear Sir,
Greetings from the Council of Baptist Churches in North East
India!
With due respect, this is to recommend Miss. ALONIKA K.
ACHUMI, B.A.,B.D, daughter of KavihoAchumi residing in
Chumukedima, Nagaland,and who is a member of Sumi Baptist
Church, Chumukedima, is applying for Internship under NCCI for
six months.
I humbly request you to consider her case for Internship. Her
exposure in the Ecumenical setting will be of much benefit to our
churches upon her return.
Thanking you.
God bless.

Yours Sincerely

Rev. Prof. AkhetoSema

General Secretary
CBCNEI, Guwahati, Assam.
Sermon Outline
Text- Matt: 13:1-23 [A familiar passage]
Introduction- The reason for choosing…….
The purpose of …….
Prayer for God’s power…….
The Sower! Missionaries!
- The Sower- the preacher
- The seeds- the word of God
- The field- the hearts/minds
- The attitudes of the people in receiving the word of God
- *The way I look at the parable there are four types of listeners.
1. The unattentive listener
2. The shallow listener
3. The disturbed listener
4. The attentive lister
The content of Jesus: The crowd, disciples
Jesus told a parable of “a Sower”
A Sower/a farmer went to his filed and started sowing the seeds:
According to the parable… the seeds fell on 4 places/areas in the field.
(1)Some seeds fell on the pathway
(2)Some seeds fell on dry & rocky ground
(3)Some seeds fell among thorns/thistles
(4)Some seeds fell on good soil.
And the story in the parable goes on.
It says that, “seeds” that fell on the “pathway” could not survive
because they were eaten by the birds in the field.
“Seeds” that fell on the “rocky ground” could not sustain the heat of
the sun and dried up “died” because it was not deeply rooted.
“Seeds” that fell among the “thorns” could not survive because when it
grew, it was chocked?
But “seeds” that fell on the “good soil” survived and as a result it
yielded much fruits: some 100%, some 60% and some 30%.
So far, this is the parable about “a sower” as it is understood plainly.
But Jesus in all His parables wanted to convey the message of the
“Kingdom of God”; “the Good News”; “spiritual dimensions” of
the parable.
And interestingly, in this parable about ‘a sower’ Jesus tried to highlight
the importance of the’ word of God’. The ‘word’ which is life! The
‘word’ which is the authority & foundation of God’s people. The ‘word’
which is the ‘sign post’, ‘direction’ in knowing God’s will & purpose for us.
And this ‘word’ which has a missiological & ministerial significance has to
be told, preached to all human race on earth.
Jesus compared the whole parable of ‘a sower’ to our lives as
God’s people belonging to the Kingdom. And this parable has great
significance in our lives today as Christian, as believers.
Christianity came to our land more than 100 years back. And since its
inception, we have been listening, hearing the word of God through the
missionaries, evangelists, in church pulpit, through different medias etc.
As I study the parable of ‘a sower’ and its ‘hidden’ treasures of the
Kingdom of God-its spiritual implications, I see 4 categories of listeners
in our church congregation.
(1)The first category is an “unattentive” listeners. [“Seeds fell on the
path way… birds”…]
- Illustrations: “Oh, very sermon… what was the content? What did
the preacher? …I don’t know.
- A cartoon “the devil starting behind a person sitting in a
congregation during worship…throwing sands on the head…
- To draw away his attention to other else.
An ‘unattentive listeners’ mind is drawn to other else. [Nodding the heads]
but… Personal plans/programmes/thinking….
“Housewives”- Kitchen, food, chickens… how may eggs? Flowers? [CTC
stds… look at the clock!]
-Administrators….. *Some come to sleep!
- Mothers……. – Slumber!! Dreaming
Pastors…..
*”while sleeping the devil takes away the words from you.”
He/she listens but cannot understand.
He/she gained nothing for coming to the church to listen to God’s word.
- At the end of worship service… he/she goes back emptyhanded.
 We miss God’s blessings!
(2)The second category of listeners are attentive but their listening
capacityis “shallow”. [dry, rock and ground]
- They listen enthusiastically, welcome the word happily, enjoy,
listening … like a ‘chorus’ in a hymn utter “Amen” Hmm,
Hallelujah.”
Mmm…. Nodding the head!
-But most of the time their listening is at on emotional level. It lasts only
for few days!
-I think we Naga xns are in this category.
- We listen but the ‘word’ or the ‘seed’ does not last long. Shallow! Does
not go deep in our life!
- We are good in listening, warmly welcome the word of God but we fail
miserably in terms of applying them in our lives.
-Putting into practice of what we learn is a big failure. “We prayer is. Let
us not only be hearers but also doers of the word” does not make any
sense. *Naga Christianity”
*Apply the word of God in our lives!
Fail to apply in our lives because it is not deeply rooted.
(3) The third category of listeners are the disturbed listeners
“fell among thorns”
- We “listen to God’s word but fail to retain in our lives.
- The inability to ‘prioritize’ the word of God in our lives because so
many things that worry us!
- Personal life
- family life
- church life
- Community life etc.
* We need to stand firm in the word.
It is required of Christians to abide and live out the ‘word’ of God in
our day to day life.
*In this world, there are lots of attractions, temptations, things to be worry
about, things to be taken care for self, family, community, society etc.
Thus, “we are chocked/confused…..”disturbed!
*Toady, we are shaken by new ideas, new ideologies, imaginative things
which threatens the very foundation of out faith. For example, there is
much talk about the book on “Da Vinci Code” and the film
“Jesus……”
-I don’t care!
-False teaching is expected as Jesus predicted.
Today we live in a world of relativism on every thing is okay! All religious
are okay, with me! Salvation for all! Cannot differentiate the truth from
false.
Thus, we become blind to the truth. We ignore the ‘reality’ and seek for
what is ‘unreal’.
Not to be shaken! Not to be moved!
We are carried away by both ‘Rationalism’ (Human Wisdom) and
‘Miracle’ (Powerof God and thus cannot identify what is to be believed
and what is not to be believed”. The ‘word’ cannot be diluted.
*The ‘word’ of God is not be confused. It should be ‘crystal’to us.
“Clear” to us! There should be no place of ‘confusion’.
-Search into the ‘mysteries’ “hidden” treasures of the word of God. There
you will find valuable treasures for life in abundance.
*Preaching and hearing the word of God should be clear!
-No doubt about it!
(4) Finally, the fourth category of listeners are the “Good and attentive
listeners” of the word of God.
- Jesus was a good listener.
- He listened to the people intensively….. Nicodemus
In counselling session….
One very important/essential task of a counselor is to listen, listen to the
problems(Counselee)
- Good listeners’ soil is a good soil.
- The seeds fall in it and it takes deep roots, grows well, healthy and
bear much fruits. There is life in the word.
- Bearing must fruits to be enjoyed by the ‘bearer’ himself/herself.
- And also, the fruits to be enjoyed by others- individually, socially
etc.
- And what are the “fruits” that we are talking about? Ref:
[Galatians 5:22-23]
They are: Peace, joy, hope, unity, love, sharing, fellowship, harmony.
“All that we can think of the “signs” of the Kingdom of God.”
-If we are attentive to the word of God…. There will be no hatred,
bloodshed in our hands.
There will be no “ism” whatsoever.
There will be no backbiting /gossiping
There will be no evils in our society.
*We will not grow weary in doing good. Let us all be the good soil.
John 15:4-5
To love
To share
To care