Richard Howell, general secretary Evangelical Fellowship of India, New Delhi addressing the gathering.
Our Correspondent
Kohima| June 23
In the backdrop of rumors about Satanism prevailing in Nagaland, particularly in Kohima, Rev. Dr. Richard Howell, general secretary Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), New Delhi today said that nothing can be said based on rumors, hence there are few things that have to be done.
“We need to be sure that such satanic worship is happening,” Rev. Dr. Howell told media persons on the sideline of the last service of the three day praise and prayer festival organized by the youth department of Kohima Ao Baptist Church (KABA) here this evening at The Heritage, Kohima. It was held under the theme “Turn to God, Rejoice in Hope.”
Once we know of such presence of a group we need to go and meet them, talk to them because this could be something which is destructive, he said.
The very word satanic worship communicates something which is destructive, which is not good for the church and neither the community. So we need to confront these people and talk to them, find out who their leader is, what are the motivating factors that are leading them to destruction, because we speak about life and living life abundantly, he said.
Rev. Dr. Howell said that he loves the churches of North East for the fact that the churches in North East have faith in God. The Churches have tested the goodness of God and they have a desire to communicate this with others and the best thing a church can do is sharing and spreading the love of Christ in abundance to the ends of the world, he said.
He advocated that churches should do more towards a greater unity, an inter-denominational unity. He added that NBCC is doing it but their hands need to be stretched further. He said that unity of the church in Nagaland is very important as it gives purpose and direction. The more the churches cooperate, the more productive and fruitful the ministry will grow, he stated. Howell wished for the churches of Nagaland to grow more in unity and in faith not only for Nagaland or for North east but for the rest of the country.
He informed that it was his fourth visit to Nagaland and added that it was a blessing to be with the young people.
Howell observed that the young people of Nagaland have aspirations and abilities, gifts and talents which are being put to good use. However, he added that these talents can be further nurtured and used for the development of the society and for the development of Nagaland as a whole.
“All the good qualities are to be found in the lives of the young Nagas and if they get proper guidance, nurturing, mentoring, the state have a brighter future ahead. They are leaders in their own right,” he said.
Earlier, Rev. Dr. Howell spoke on the God of possibilities at the service this evening. Sharing from the book of Genesis, Rev Howell spoke about the possibilities of God that had worked with Abraham and Sarah, to have blessed them with their son Isaac beyond their age of possibility.
Quoting the scriptures, Rev Howell said that God keeps a promise and never fails and therefore urged the worshippers to live in God and in His promises. He gave a message of assurance that as goodness comes from God, life itself is good and that a person dos not need any attachments or accessories to make themselves look good. Having God in each person’s life can make one transformed into the glory and likeness of God, he said.
Other highlights of the service included sharing of testimonies by young people who have committed their lives into God’s ministries and the presentation of songs by various artists and choir. Hundreds of young people attended the last service. The service also witnessed many young people responding to the call of the worship and renewing their commitment to Christ. Earlier, Pastor Sentisashi Aier and Rev Bendangtoshi Longkumer exhorted the congregation.
