People being baptized in the church premises of Dimapur Ao Baptist Church, Town Fellowship in Khermahal on April 20. (Morung Photo)
Dimapur, April 20 (MExN): 308 male and female today took water baptism as an expression of “being born again and spiritual union with Christ” at Dimapur Ao Baptist Church (DABA), Town Fellowship here. The church premises was packed mostly with young people; some accompanied by their folks.
There was anxiety as partakers watched their fellow friends getting immersed in the water. But, happiness followed along as they came out of the water being “renewed”. A girl flashed a victory sign for the camera as she sat in the water soon after her baptism. “I feel so great. I feel so lucky to be baptized,” said a 17-year-old Watiimsong. “I will have a new beginning in Jesus and in life.” Meanwhile, for 15-year- old Yimliakum, baptism could be the way as “I want a cross in my grave,” while acknowledging “I feel new now. I will try to be a good Christian.”
DABA regularly organizes mass baptism like this one twice in a year in April and September usually, while there is “special baptism” for those who miss it.
Rev. Tzudir, senior pastor, DABA said the number is normally huge in April because it is vacation time for most students. There is no upper age limit for baptism, he said whereas the lower age limit could be 12 to 13 depending on the person’s ability to understand the word of Christ.
The baptism was preceded by the participants pledging before “God and man” inside the church to “abide and live as a baptized member under the guiding principles of the church.” The baptism was officiated by Rev. I Wati and Imly Jamir, associate pastors of DABA.
