Dimapur, August 3 (MExN): The Eyilo Ministry of the Lotha Baptist Church Dimapur organised a two days’ Church Leaders Training programme for the Ministry to the ‘People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs) sponsored by the North East India Committee of Relief and Development (NEICORD), Shillong. This was held on July 23 and 24 last, at the Centre for Community Transformation Centre, Bethesda Youth Welfare, Dimapur.
The training was attended by 40 church leaders and had two inspiring devotion speakers, Rev. Velodi Sakhrie, pastor of Town Baptist Church, Dimapur, and Rev. Andrew Semp, pastor of Rengma Baptist Church, Dimapur, informed Abeni Y Ovung, Secretary for the Eyilo Ministry, in a press release.
On the morning of the first day, Rev. Sakhrie gave a thought-provoking sharing on ‘Christ-like Christian’ based on II Cor.3:18 and I John 3:2. On the second morning, Rev. Semp shared about the ‘Fullness of Life’ which is God’s desire that it be enjoyed by all (Jn.10:10) including the people towards whom we always have a negative attitude deeming them to be sinners and untouchables (the PLHAs, drug users, alcoholics, prostitutes, sex workers, etc.).
The two resource persons for the training were Dr. Temsu, MO, ICTC & Blood Safety, District Hospital, and Rev. Dr. Baner Makan, NEICORD consultant. In the first session of the first day, Dr. Temsu briefed the trainees on the basic facts about HIV/AIDS, that consist of both the positive and negative sides of HIV/AIDS, and how we can stay safe and unaffected by this deadly disease. The rest of the training session was taken up by Rev. Dr. Banner Makan. Intensive talks and interactions were held on value education, and care and treatment for the affected and infected people.
Most of all, the importance of the role of the Church in combating HIV/AIDS which has long been a serious treat to the society at large, was discussed. The training concluded with general findings and a general agreement that the churches today, when so much of our own brothers and sisters are falling prey to HIV/AIDS, must no longer go on listening and stay aloof as though nothing is wrong anywhere. The Church in its true sense should take the lead to eradicate every social menace, the release added.
Some of the findings and solutions proposed during the training were – in order to get rid of and to keep ourselves free and safe from HIV/AIDS, the Church leaders should take the lead to initiate people’s change of attitude towards PLHAs, drug users, prostitutes, sex workers, etc.; to be able to accept and love these people who are desperately seeking for acceptance and love; and encouraging them to come out from their fear of stigma and discrimination which alienates them. The importance of adequate funds in the Church’s budget for this particular ministry was stressed repeatedly.
Another important area where the Church needs to get involved to fight against this menace is to include this as one of the Church’s permanent field project by appointing a fulltime worker. Then the Church may, time to time, conduct programmes on awareness campaign, preventive measures, and teenage seminars where younger generations can be taught intensively about sex education whereby they can prevent themselves from involving in risk behaviours, added the release.
