Fourth (Lt) Rev Dr I Ben Wati Legacy Talk held

Organisers with host and speakers during the fourth (Lt.) Rev Dr I Ben Wati Legacy Talk held at Clark Theological College, Aolijen, Mokokchung on October 18 and 19.

Mokokchung, October 23 (MExN): The fourth (Lt.) Rev Dr I Ben Wati Legacy Talk organized by ELIM Resource Center, Guwahati was held on October 18 and 19 at Clark Theological College, Aolijen, Mokokchung.

 In his opening note, Senti Longkumer, presider of the legacy talk quoting John Langlois said, “Those who knew Ben Wati will never forget the sound foundation he laid for world evangelism as a wise master builder and for his gracious gentle spirit, a true follower of Jesus Christ.”

In his welcome address, Rev Dr Mar Pongen, Principal of Clark Theological College mentioned how Ben Wati had a huge influence in the progress of the college. He mentioned that CTC is maintaining Ben’s archive including personal collections, correspondences and books. He urged the delegates to learn from his life and build on his legacy by furthering his works.

Speaking during devotion on the theme “Vision & Leadership”, Rev Dr JM Ngul Khan Pau, Senior Consultant of Development Associates International said, “Vision is grasping the big picture. It is forward looking and a deep desire to change for the better. Our vision must outlive us”. 

In his talk on “Culture, Ethnicity & Diversity” Rev Dr Paul Borthwick, Senior Consultant of Development Associates International said, “God wants your culture to be part of the church, and not the only part but a contributing part. All of us have something in our heritage to bring and make our church a better place. Culture is dynamic, it is constantly changing. Culture is to human beings what water is to fish. You are surrounded by it; you don’t recognize it, until somebody changes your environment. Therefore, how do you handle change, what needs to be preserved, what needs to be abandoned and what needs to be celebrated and what needs to be redeemed are some of the questions that needs to be addressed. From humanity point of view, we are all of one origin. So, from a human vantage point we are all brothers and sisters. We are all created in God’s image. At the foot of the cross, the ground is level. We might have different positions in life, but we are not superior to each other.” On the second day, Rev Dr Akheto Sumi, General Secretary of CBCNEI led the devotions. He said, “We need to get deeper in our life and ministry and should continually grow in obedience in Christ.”In her closing remarks, Lucy Pau, Director, ERC mentioned about how “Uncle Ben Wati had been such a great blessing for many Christian leaders from the Northeast and beyond.” She also informed that the (Lt.) Rev Dr I Ben Wati Legacy Talk as an annual event will deal with relevant topics for theological educators, Christian leaders and organizations.