Dimapur, April 9 (MExN): The 4th All Sumi Missionary Conference was held from April 4 to 6 at WSBAK Center Church Akuvuto, Thahekhu under the theme ‘Re-defining Mission.’ Rev. Dr. Khehovi Shohe, Director, Sumi Baptist Convention (SBC) inaugurated the programme. Rev. S. Vitoshe Swu, Executive Secretary, Western Sumi Baptist Churches Association (WSBAK) preached on the topic ‘Pentecostal Experience: Basis for Mission’ in the inaugural service.
On the second day, Rev. Dr. Pughoto Aye, Director, FAW and Rev. Kiyeto, Pastor, SABCK presented papers on the topics ‘Socio-economic and cultural perspective of a mission’ and ‘Mission strategy and sponsor body’ respectively.
Rev. Kiyeto began with Paul’s method and approach to mission. He talked about how well connected Paul was with people, how he was so focused, how he contextualized every situation he encountered. “The character of the messenger is as important as the content of the message,” he said. Talking about the preparation every missionary has to undergo, he stressed on understanding general feature of the region and people where one is sent. He suggested that a missionary should be educationally well qualified because his/her job is also an educator. “A missionary got to have a big heart… with healthy spiritual life.”
Towards understanding people and their culture/s, he challenged the missionaries with the words of A.C. Krass, “It is possible to speak a language fluently and still not understand the people who use it.” Cautioning not to re-commit the blunders of early missionaries, he suggested to the Sumi missionaries to “respect the local social structures as this simple wise act will save us from a lot of trouble which is wrongly called persecution.” He argued on the concept of persecution and martyrdom that many Christians around the world have. “Careful observation on the saying, ‘the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church’ is unscriptural. This slogan has become the phrase for sensational mission promoters and armchair theologians. Persecution does not always result in growth; rather as a result of persecution and suffering, new or weak believers may fall back. Therefore, aim to train the local leaders who will be ready to die for their own people.” Meanwhile, Rev. Dr. Pughoto Aye in his paper reflected on the biblical understanding of diversity of humankind. While bringing out the socio-economic and cultural crises our society is facing post modernity, he specifically pointed the scarcity of professionals in different industries, cultural and religious conflicts, unemployment problem, and corruption at all levels as being the chief factors. “With these socio-economic and cultural crises amongst us there might come a time when sending out mission would slowly take a tumble. When an individual prosper, a church also prospers. When a church prospers a community and society also prospers. This unifying prosperity will enable the Christian mission to be stronger and more efficient,” he said.
Challenging the missionaries to be crystal clear of their calling, Rev. Dr. Aye asked: “Are you in a mission field because you have dedicated your lives to serve God or you are there only because someon
e is sponsoring you?” adding that the task of missionaries are different from other callings.
Pushing further on the task and idea of meaningful mission, he stated, “How can we simply go and tell the hungry that Jesus is the Living Bread or simply go to the thirsty and say Jesus is our Living Water. Will he/she believe or accept that? You simply go to homeless and tell him Jesus is our shelter, he won’t listen to you. We have to go back to Matthew 25: 35 & 36.”
He also talked about different ways of how people can serve God by taking a cue from Acts 18:3 which describe Paul’s trade as tentmaker and his source of income for his livelihood during his missionary journeys. “Using tent-making as our model, we can use serve God through different professions like agriculture, teaching, medicine, art and crafts, music, and many more,” Rev. Dr. Aye said.
Nivukhu, Asst. Pastor, Chekiye Baptist Church, Inato Shikhu, Editor, Sumi Zumulhu, and Tovishe Achumi, Assoc. Pastor, DSBA were the panelists in both the paper presentations.
In the remaining sessions, Rev. S Yevito Sumi, ES, SBAK preached on the topic “Pentecostal Experience: Discipleship”, Rev. Hotokhu Jimo, ES, SABAK on “Calling of God”. Rev. Shekiye Achumi, Director, United Revival Fellowship (URF) was the speaker of the closing service. Rev. Zuhokhu, Pastor, SBCK led Bible Study based on Acts 12:1-19.
The Sumi Missionary Fellowship has also elected a new set of office bearers for 2014-2016 with President: Piketo Yeptho, Kalimpong; Vice-President: Jetovi Chishi, West Bengal; Gen. Secy.: Jessica Achumi, Nepal; Asst. Gen. Secy.: Hoshikha, Pasighat; Treasurer: Herato Zhimo, West Bengal; and Pub. & Info Secy.: Kaboto Kinimi, Pastor, New Delhi.
The executive secretaries and mission directors of SBAK Nito Mount, WSBAK, and SABAK attended the three-day conference of Sumi missionaries serving in the country and across the borders. Goalpara has been chosen to be the venue for next edition of All Sumi Missionary Conference.
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