Members of The Gatekeepers, organizers of Nagaland Revival & Healing Festival, scheduled from December 2 to 4 at the Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex in Dimapur. The members outlined the vision behind the large-scale event during a press conference held on November 26. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 26
Addressing a press conference today, Ben Kithan, a of member of The Gatekeepers, organizers of the upcoming Nagaland Revival & Healing Festival, outlined the vision behind the large-scale event scheduled from December 2 to 4 at the Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex, Dimapur. Ankit Sajwan from Family of Lord Jesus Church, Delhi will be the speaker during the three-day revival.
Kithan described the festival as a collective initiative by a group of individuals united by a shared burden to foster positive change in the state.
“We are a group of friends who have come together with a burden to make Nagaland a better place and for us to return to the call that we have received, the legacy that we have received,” Kithan stated. “We have a very strong legacy of faith, and that is what inspired us to organize this event.”
Elaborating on the festival’s core objectives, Kithan said, “The purpose and vision of this Festival is a reminder for all of us to embrace the Christ identity that we have received and also to spark a revival that will go on for generations and generations.”
“We are grateful to a lot of people, especially anonymous individuals and families who have partnered with us. We are also grateful to different associations, churches, organizations, and individuals who have agreed to partner with us,” he added.
Kithan stressed the importance of unity across various societal divisions to achieve the festival’s goals. “This is very important for us because we want to pursue this, we want to achieve this all together. Not just as one denomination, not just as an individual, or not just as one church, but across denominations, across churches, across tribes, and across all differences that we have in our land.”
Making an appeal, Kithan invited broader participation. “I would like to invite each one of you to collaborate with us, to partner with us, because we are carrying a burden and that burden is for everyone. We want to return to the call that we have been given, the legacy that we have, and that is nothing but Christ’s identity that we are fortunate to have.”
Pastor Edward Odyuo emphasised the event’s inclusive nature, stating it is designed for the entire community. “This is not just for one church but for everyone,” Odyuo stated, outlining the daily schedule for the festival. The event will feature a “Praise Fiesta” from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM daily, followed by a main worship service starting at 5:00 PM.
Odyuo detailed that the venue will host various stalls, including food options. Special provisions have been arranged to ensure the comfort and accessibility of the elderly, disabled, and sick attendees.
On the festival’s broader purpose, he pointed to what he described as “God’s hand in Nagaland.” He expressed his hope that the gathering would lead to a comprehensive spiritual renewal for all who attend. The ultimate goal, he stated, is to witness a “revival of flesh and spirit” throughout the community, reinforcing the festival’s theme of healing and spiritual awakening.
According to Wabang Longchari, Lead Pastor of The Lighthouse Church, the event is generating substantial anticipation, with a large turnout expected from across the North-East region. Apostle “Apostle Ankit Sajwan is not a new figure to many of us here. We have known him personally for years, and he is a great Apostle,” Longchari stated.
He expressed strong faith in Sajwan’s message, saying, “We have faith that he will bring the message God has for Nagaland.” Longchari also highlighted the growth of Sajwan’s ministry, noting his church is “one of the fastest growing churches in India.”
The event is being organised with high expectations for spiritual transformation and healing. “Our hope is to move in such a way that God will be compelled to move in our land. We have great expectations for healing. People should come believing for healing,” Longchari added.
The organisers shared about the logistical challenges posed by the under-construction venue, while expressing confidence in overcoming financial shortfalls through community support.
Longchari stated that the primary challenge is the incomplete state of the stadium where the event is scheduled. “The biggest challenge is the venue itself. We have to do everything from A to Z, you know, for example, preparing the roads and the toilets and everything,” he said.
He clarified, however, that there were no complaints, expressing gratitude to the contractor and the government for allowing the use of the unfinished facility. He reported that a team has been working on-site for nearly a month to prepare the grounds.
Substantial community support has been a key factor, with Longchari noting that most machinery and personnel are offering their services voluntarily. He also highlighted the involvement of over 300-400 volunteers from various churches who are assisting with the preparations and worship activities.
Kithan, acknowledged that fundraising has not yet met its target. “We have not reached the target that we have set,” Kithan admitted. He added, however, that daily needs are being met and expressed confidence in divine provision, noting a significant increase in financial support in recent days. “The amount of financial support that we have received has been quite overwhelming. And we believe that this will continue,” he stated, while also making an appeal for further contributions from those willing to support the cause.
To manage the event, organisers have mobilised more than 700 volunteers. This includes 250 volunteers from Livingstone International College specifically tasked with traffic and queue management, and over 100 volunteers from various local churches.
“We are expecting 30,000. If the crowd grows more than 30,000, I believe that we are ready for that. We believe that we will be able to manage it,” Longchari added.
Longchari clarified that a Christian revival event being held concurrently with the Hornbill Festival is not intended as a protest against the festival, but as an opportunity to offer the “gospel of Jesus Christ” to visitors.
Longchari said that while the organising team has been commended for the timing, their aim is to provide a spiritual encounter for tourists. “The only thing we can give from Nagaland to others is the gospel. The best thing we can give to others from Nagaland is the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is our heart,” he said.
“The man who is coming, the apostle, he has this anointing in the area of supernatural healing. One of the things we are expecting from this revival is healing,” he stated. Longchari added that while medical reports are not denied he believes “the final say is the word of God,” which offers healing through Jesus.
Expressing hope for “supernatural signs and wonders,” Longchari cited the 2 Chronicles 7:14 to outline the need for revival. He emphasised that the call is for believers to humble themselves, pray, and turn from wicked ways to receive forgiveness and healing for the land. “The key word is Humble. Nagas are Christians, and today it is the believers like us who needs the healing,” he said, expressing belief that Nagaland would experience “another massive move of the Holy Spirit.”
The organisers acknowledged public concerns regarding potential noise, urging residents for cooperation. They shared an incident where an elderly woman, expressing happiness over the revival being held in an area known for “questionable incidents,” sent a love offering through her child as a token of support. They appealed for the community’s understanding during the revival days.
