Aerial view of the Phiro Baptist Church during the centenary celebration in Phiro village, Wokha on Janauary 9.
Phiro, January 15 (MExN): Phiro Baptist Church (PBC) marked a historic milestone with the celebration of its centenary, commemorating 100 years of Christianity from 1926 to 2026, reflecting a century of faith, unity and spiritual growth.
The centennial jubilee was held at Jubilee Ground, Wozhubanka, Phiro village, from January 8 to 9, under the theme “Kumali Potsow ji Pfutssontoka” (Glorify the Eternal God). The celebration reflected on the church’s hundred-year journey of faith while reaffirming the village’s commitment to Christian values, harmony and service to society.
The main speakers at the jubilee celebration included Dr Kethoser Kevichusa, Director, ILC, BMS World Mission; Rev Zanao Mozhui, former pastor, Lotha Baptist Church, Dimapur; and Rev Dr Ezamo Murry, former principal, Eastern Theological College, Jorhat, Assam.
Extending jubilee greetings, Advisor Mhathung Yanthan congratulated the Phiro villagers on attaining the centenary milestone and recalled the close association of his late father, Rev Ashemo Yanthan, with the people of Phiro village.
He said his father had served as a teacher at Phiro Government School for 14 years and expressed gratitude to the villagers for the love and care shown to his late father. The family of Mhathung Yanthan also made a financial contribution to the village outreach fund in memory of Rev. Ashemo Yanthan.
MLA Y Mhonbemo Humtsoe, who also attended the celebration, lauded the Phiro villagers for maintaining cordial relations with neighbouring villages, including the Rengma villages of Nerhema and Zhadima, since time immemorial. Encouraging them to continue standing by one another, Humtsoe informed that he had apprised Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio about the need for blacktopping the road stretch from Phiro junction to Wozhuro, to which the Chief Minister has agreed and given assurance.
Special prayers were offered for different sections of the community during the celebration. Rev Dr K Benry Lotha, senior pastor, Kohima Lotha Baptist Church, led a solemn prayer in remembrance of the departed souls of Phiro village, while Rev J Thungjamo Lotha, Missionary International, OC Bhutan and Northeast India, invoked God’s blessings for unity, peace and wellbeing of the villagers.
Rev Thungjanshio Odyuo, pastor, Phiro Baptist Church, offered a special prayer for the daughters of Phiro village married into other villages, seeking God’s protection, grace and blessings upon their families.
The jubilee monolith was unveiled by Rev Thungjanshio Odyuo, while the dedication of the jubilee service hall was conducted by Rev O Yibomo Ngullie, pastor, Okotso Baptist Church.
Besides the jubilee choir, choir performances by Tesophenyu, Nerhema and Zhadima choirs featured during the celebration. The jubilee feast was blessed by Rev Limhathung Lotha, pastor, Lotha Baptist Church, Diphupar, while the consecration service was led by Rev L K Tsanglao, pastor, Longsa Baptist Church.
Thousands of native villagers, in-laws and well-wishers from neighbouring villages attended the centennial jubilee celebration, which concluded with the release of 100 blessed lanterns to mark the historic milestone of Phiro Baptist Church.
