Children participating in the singing competition during the SABAK 7th Children Festival on January 14 in Mudutsughomi Baptist Akukuhou (Kilomi). The three-day event will conclude on January 15, Sunday. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Mudutsughomi | January 14
The 7th Children Festival under Children Ministry, Sümi Aphuyemi Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu (SABAK) began on January 13 in Mudutsughomi Baptist Akukuhou (Kilomi), Pughoboto with pomp and much gaiety.
Being held under the theme 'Akuhu lo Idewoni' (Back to Roots) Colossians 2:7, the annual three-day event is being attended by 26 Sümi Baptist churches -- 24 villages under SABAK, Sumi Aphuyemi Baptist Church Kohima and Sumi Baptist Church, Tseminyu.
Speaker for the opening ceremony, Tovishe P Shohe, Executive Secretary, SABAK acknowledged the organisers for initiating this wonderful event for the children. Recalling his younger days, Shohe said that back then, children could only dream of such events as functions were always focused on adults.
He talked on the need to initiate more programmes to guide the children and the crucial role that children pastors need to play amongst the younger generation. Shohe regretted that there are still villages under Pughoboto without a children pastor. He urged the children attending and the parents whose church is without one, to go back and request their church head to induct a pastor for the children.
Speaking on the theme 'Back to Roots: Faith of our forefathers,' Shohe spoke to the congregation of children highlighting three points -- How the Israelites lived by faith, how the 'Aphuyemi forefathers' lived by faith and how the present generation is now living. Like the Israelites, the faith of 'our forefathers' were rooted in Christ, said Shohe.
The Israelites were truly blessed by God in all areas, and “God's promises to His children is always through sheer obedience to His word.”
The Aphuyemis rightly called the 'forerunners,' were the first among the Sümis to turn to Christ and they were known for their honesty, integrity and their rooted faith in God.
Even so, he added that 'our Aphuyemi forefathers' did not just come like that. “Our forefathers forsook their old ways and beliefs and turned to God. Our forefathers were rooted in Christ.”
He encouraged the children to obey God and learn a lesson from the Israelites who went back to their old ways time and again. And yet God forgave them every time they returned to Him. However, the Israelites were left with nothing as they became slaves of the Babylonians in the end.
Shohe asked the congregation to examine where their faith is rooted in and reprised them to establish a strong foundation in Christ.
The highlights of the first-day event included folk songs, folk tales and drama from different Baptist churches.
Speaking on the theme 'Back to Roots: Family,' speaker for the second day, Hotoli Pugho Langhim urged the children to honor their father amd mother, “which is the first commandment with a promise.” Langhim shared reflections from her early days working with the children ministry under SABAK and the lessons she learned along the way. Also talking about her close bond with her parents who have both passed away, she called upon the young people that it is a must to give due honor and respect to 'your parents,' whether they win in parenthood or not. “And only then, can you learn how to honor and love God and treat people well, whomever you meet in this journey.”
The second-day event included singing competition from all the Baptist churches, mono act, Bible stomp, shadow act (True Love Waits), spoken words, cacophony and other activities.
Mention maybe made that SABAK is affiliated to Nagaland Baptist Church Council and CNCNEI. More than 700 children from 10-18 years of age and around 1000 attendees have been registered for the annual event.
