Morung Express News
Mokokchung | June 20
Renowned Christian missionary Rev Lano Longchar breathed his last today at Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH), Mokokchung at around 11am. He was 81.
Rev Longchar, who was admitted to the hospital at around 10 am, died of symptoms caused by old age, doctors at the hospital said. Born Lanokaba, Rev. Lano Longchar was the eighth of twelve siblings in the family of Longdangluen and Medangnaro. He was born on June 15, 1935 at Longkhum village, Mokokchung.
He did his early schooling at his native village till Class 2 and continued his studies at Mokokchung, Kohima and Shillong. He did his theological studies at Calcutta Bible College, UBS Yeotmal, Haggai Institute for Evangelism, Singapore and at Baptist Theological College of New South Wales, Australia.
Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM) commissioned him as Missionary-at-Large on July 19, 1987 at Longkhum Baptist Church and was ordained by ABAM at the same church three years later on September 23, 1990.
He was an active youth worker during his earlier days and served numerous organizations in various capacities. He also taught at several schools and served several Christian organizations including the International Evangelistic Fellowship and the Haggai Institute of International Evangelism.
Also a prolific writer, Rev Longchar served as the editor of several Christian periodicals and magazines and also authored at least 5 books and compiled 6 Christian hymn books.
As a missionary, he had travelled widely and had preached the Gospel in at least four foreign countries, 12 states in India and to 15 tribes in Nagaland.
During his youth, Lanokaba was a Naga nationalist and was actively involved in the Naga national movement. He served as president of Naga Youth Movement and as Accountant General and Foreign Corresponding Officer of the Federal Government of Nagaland.
He was arrested thrice by Indian authorities and imprisoned in 5 jails in Mokokchung, Kohima, Jorhat, Nawgaon and Shillong. It was on March 15, 1956 while he was serving term at Shillong jail that he committed himself to serve God for the rest of his life.
Late Rev Lano Longchar leaves behind his wife, five children and fourteen grandchildren.
