The newly constructed Konyak Baptist Church Mon standing tall at Mon Town. (Photo Courtesy: KBCM)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 26
Located in the heart of Mon town Nagaland, the mega church of the Konyak Baptist Church Mon (KBCM), constructed over a period of ten years and set to be the biggest Baptist church in Asia, was dedicated on November 24.
The church building was dedicated by Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) General Secretary, Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho in the presence of Rev M Nahngom, Pastor of the Church, N Thongwang, Convenor of the Church Construction Committee, Rev M Chemyuh, Executive Secretary of the Konyak Baptist Bumeinok Bangjüm (KBBB) and Rev Dr Pongsing, Former General Secretary NBCC.
According to an official communiqué provided to the Morung Express by KBCM Pastor, Rev M Nahngom, the church building foundation stone was laid on January 24, 2013 and took ten years, ten months to complete.
Between these periods, the COVID-19 lockdowns had also affected in the construction activity, causing minor delay.
The church stands in the heart of Mon town and was built under the architectural supervision of Engineer, Jwinga Seb, present MLA from Tseminyu constituency.
It has a total area of 35,035 Sq ft, length 284 ft and breath 143 ft.
The seating capacity has been estimated to be over 10,000 while the total building construction cost was Rs 41. 80 crore.
Rev Nahngom stated that the objective of building the mega Church was to accommodate all their worshippers which have been increasing year by year in Mon town.
The Pastor maintained that it was the collective contribution of all church members, Konyak frontal organisations, the Church association and its constituent member churches, elected leaders of Nagaland and the Konyaks in particular, and the well wishers as groups and individuals, that the completion of the church building was made possible.
In particular, he made a special mention of appreciation to his Board of Deacons during 2013-till date, the Planning Committee that included N Thongwang as Convenor and T Nokpang as Secretary.
“Even if we could not mention all the contributors, God will continue to bless the cheerful givers and glorify God's name even in the future,” he shared.
The members of the KBCM celebrated the church building completion with the special presence of the NBCC Officials, KBBB Officials, Pastors of local churches and ordained ministers under the KBBB, the Sister Churches in Mon, 6th NAP Tizit Church & Pipe Band, elected members of the Konyak community, the Administrative officers of Mon, the Choir of the Mon Theological College and many well wishers.
Events related with the dedication were held from November 24-26.
Meanwhile, with an estimated capacity exceeding 10,000 individuals, it is set to claim the title of Asia's largest Baptist church, surpassing the Zunheboto Sumi Baptist Church, which accommodates 8,500 people.
Reportedly the largest church in Asia as well as the world is Yoido Full Gospel Church, a Pentecostal congregation in South Korea, with a whopping 12,000 seats.
