Zunheboto, October 26 (MExN): A biennial conference of pastors from trilateral Sumi churches association consisting of SBAK Nito Mt, WSBAK and SABAK was held from October 20-22, hosted by Sumi Baptist Church Zunheboto.
Speaking as a special invitee, Y Kikheto Sema, Y Kikheto Sema, Commissioner and Secretary highlighted three key institutions which contribute towards a better and peaceful society. He was of the opinion that family should come first, followed by obeying the human instituted government and thirdly, the role of church.
He pointed out the challenges ahead of church and pastors. He divulged how our society is grappling with HIV Aids, tobacco related, cancer, use of substances and drugs, and the latest being the sunflower drug. To overcome these menace in the society, he urged for a collective effort from the pastors and various NGOs.
Kikheto felt that church is now a place where all kinds of people share a common platform and he suggested the Pastors to occasionally preach and inculcate the value of “work and eat” and “to be obedient towards the government” to their members.
Challenging churches on a positive note, Sema draw a comparison, he said the best building in any village or town in Nagaland is without a doubt church building, and the deplorable building is school and hospital/dispensary in most cases. Kikheto feels that the school and hospital should be better or equivalent to church building because the utilization of building facility except for church is few comparing to schools and hospitals. He urged the society and the church to invest on schools and hospitals and not to entirely depend on the government alone.
He also spoke on biodiversity, wildlife preservation & climate change. He reiterated the NBCC resolution at 72nd Annual Conference 2009 at Ahthibung and February 4 to 6 at Rotomi village about biodiversity, wildlife preservation and climate change and to implement in letter and spirit.
He appreciated Ghükiye Tokukjo for Ghosü wildlife sanctuary: Sukhai, Ghukhuyi, Kivikhu for Tizu valley biodiversity and recently Sukhalu, Baimho, Thokihi, Yemishe, Kiyekhu, Shoixe etc for Tizu river and area preservation. He urged more villages to come forward.
To shun away all “isms” such as tribe, area, clan and focus on clean election. He lamented that the way election is conducted in Sumi lands; it is the worst among Nagas and called for urgent change. He disproved the popular notion of blaming candidates since both successful and unsuccessful candidates are heavily troubled by the voters. He appreciated Natha New village under 35 AC Zunheboto for upholding the commitment of clean election principle till the very end and urged pastors to produce more such villages in the Sumi land.
He shared concern on holding many church conferences with huge expenditure, followed by different unions; clubs in Nagaland which is adding up another economic burden and advised to hold only valuable and meaning programs. Kikheto stated the world economy after COVID and wars in some parts of the world are not going to be the same again. He also hinted that the projection of next year monsoon in our country and particularly in North East is likely to be unfavourable with less rain. Kikheto stated, if there is no supply rice from mainland India, can the Nagas survive? He appreciated Satami village under Aghunato for fulfilling the commitment during his visit as APC in 2020 not to depend on supply rice but to stand on their own village paddy field and urged others to follow suit.
Sema also stated that the Government of India and the state government have in the recent past initiated lots of welfare scheme. He requested the pastor to kindly create the awareness in their own local churches for the benefit of needy people such as PM Kisan, Job card of MNERGA, old age pension, PMJAY, CMHIS, etc.
Kikheto hinted that Nagaland government employees are the highest not only in our country but in the World compared to population. There is less scope in the government job. He urged the young people to take up entrepreneurship, business, agri and allied activities, mason, carpentry and labour works by availing Government schemes and the state schemes such as CM Micro finance initiative and bank loans and not to avail society loan which is more than the five six times higher than the bank loan.
Kikheto appealed to all pastor not to criticize each other on the basis of denomination. He urged at this crucial juncture irrespective of denomination, religion, all the like-minded people should come together and fight against evils for better tomorrow. He appealed all the believers to pray for the peace of the World.
Rev Kughato Chophi Executive Secretary SBAK Nito Mount delivered the word of God on the topic, ‘Live in the power of Holy Spirit’ and Rev Dr Toniho Kiho Pastor Chekiye Baptist Church spoke on Living in hope at times of Turbulence,’ stated a press release issued by media cell of 33rd SBPU Planning Committee.
