Dimapur, February 1: The three-day consultation on Holistic Child Development, which began from January 29, concluded successfully on January 31 at Eastern Theological College, Jorhat.
The consultation jointly organised by ILEMA-ETC and NEITA was held with an aim to create awareness among the churches about the need to strive for Holistic Development of children. There were all together 80 participants, including general secretaries, executive secretaries of various convention and association, principals and faculty members from theological colleges of north-east region and master of theology scholars of Eastern Theological College, Jorhat.
Based on the theme, Rev. Dr. Vezopa, Executive Secretary, Chakhesang Baptist Church Council and Rev. Dr. Akheto Sema, Principal, Eastern Theological College led the Bible Study. Scholars presented six scholarly and well-researched paper readings wherein Holistic Child Development from different perspectives was brought out.
The first paper was presented by Dr. Razouselie Lasetso, Professor of New Testament on “Children in the Ministry of Jesus and its significance for Developing Concerns on Holistic Child Development.” This was followed by another paper on “Social and Ethical Reading of Children Concerns” presented by Dr. Shimreingam L. Shimray, Professor of Social Analysis and Ethics. The third paper reading based on the topic “Nurturing Families for God: An Ecclesial Perspective” was presented by Vimeno Lasetso, Lecturer in the department of History of Christianity. The fourth paper was presented by Dr. Limatula Longkumer, Professor of Christian Education on “The Need of Paradigm shift in Christian Education for Holistic Child Development” followed by a paper on “Incorporating Children’s Concerns in the Formulation of Christian Theology” by Dr. Lovely Awomi James, Lecturer in the department of Christian Theology. The sixth and the last paper was presented by Dr. Sashikaba Kechutzar, Associate Professor of Religions on the topic, “Children in Selected World Religious Tradition.”
An important feature of the consultation was the panel discussion on the topic: “Children Ministry in the Church Today: Challenges and Constrains.” Eight resource persons shared about their long years of experience in the church ministry as well as the challenges and concerns for the educational ministry of their respective churches.
The resource persons included Rev. Rozarim, Secretary, Tangkhul Baptist Church Association; Dr. Botoholi, Secretary, Education and Communication, NBCC; Rev. Dr. Vezopa, Executive Secretary, Chakhesang Baptist Church Council; Rev. Dr. Simte, Executive Secretary, Simte Baptist Church Association; Raychawdhuri, General Secretary, Assam Baptist Convention; Vishiho, Secretary, Christian Education, WSBK; Zubeni, Sunday School Superintendent, Kohima Lotha Baptist Church and Rev. H. Gideon, Executive Secretary, Poumai Naga Baptist Association.
In his concluding remark, the Dean of ILEMA, Dr. Razouselie Lasetso said that the consultation was a time of learning from the resource persons as well as from the interaction among the participants in the course of deliberation on various topics. This would help the core committee in revising the curriculum for MA on Holistic Child Development Course which is being offered by Eastern Theological College from the academic year 2013-2014. He acknowledged and expressed gratitude to all the participants for their inputs during the consultation which he said, will help in developing a course that is more contextual and relevant to the Children ministry in the North East Indian Churches. Dr. L. Imsutoshi Jamir in a press release said that the consultation ended with a benediction pronounced by Professor Ezamo Murry.
