• OTS library now named Wati Aier Peace Library
• Friends of OTS Foundation in North America started
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 28
Rev. Dr. Wati Aier is synonymous with the Oriental Theological Seminary (OTS). On his retirement from 26 years of service as Principal of the Seminary on May 27, students, alumni and the faculty of OTS paid rich tributes to Dr. Wati.
“You are a gift of god to the church, the Nagas and the OTS,” said Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho, General Secretary of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), while speaking at a ‘Thanksgiving Service’ held at the OTS campus in Dr. Wati’s honour on Saturday, May 27.
OTS was a brainchild of the NBCC that gave Dr. Wati the charge to start and build the institution from scratch. Dr. Wati and his wife, Alongla Aier, started by clearing a forested area donated by Bade Village for the Seminary. They set up thatch roofed classrooms at first, slowly progressing into the pristine gardens and ecologically soothing horizontal structure that forms the OTS classrooms today; a transformative space of learning for students of theology.
OTS could not have been what it is today “without (his) intentional formation and leadership,” asserted the NBCC General Secretary. Recognizing Dr. Wati’s contribution towards peace and reconciliation, the OTS library has now been renamed the ‘Wati Aier Peace Library’. This was announced by designate Principal, Dr. Joshua Lorin at the program on Saturday.
Additionally, Dr. Wati and Alongla Aier’s children have registered an organization called ‘Friends of OTS Foundation in North America’, to ensure the advancement of OTS and its commitment to “Christ’s vision” for love, justice, truth and peace.
A classical guitar trio, drums, piano and a thunderous OTS choir came together in the form of students’ tributes to the outgoing Principal of the Seminary. “He is a role model, friend, guide… he created time for everyone to grow through his unconditional love,” reflected Mesasenuo Sanchu, giving a message on behalf of the students. “We are privileged to be mentored by you,” she said, narrating how Dr. Wati cooked for the students, joined them for weekly soccer matches or played the trumpet in leading the choir. Dr. Wati has written and composed several songs that the OTS choir has presented on several occasion, including on May 27.
Alumni of OTS, Susan Waten, recalled how “real education” for many of them began at OTS, and how Dr. Wati set an example for the students through his commitment, energy and discipline. “He was very vocal about issues affecting our society at all times,” she remembered, with students often worried for his safety.
According to Dr. C Cho-o, who spoke on behalf of the faculty, Dr. Wati’s “unique leadership” meant that he is “more interested in promoting others than himself.” A “people’s person,” Dr. Wati always sees “perfection in the most imperfect people,” said Dr. Cho-o.
As Rev. Vilodi Sakhrie, Chairperson of the Board of Governors, observed, NBCC began with a vision for discipleship and gave birth to OTS but “it wouldn’t be a success unless the right person led it” that allowed the Seminary as well as its students to flourish fully.
Saturday’s service was interspersed with storytelling, emotional as well as humorous, exuding warmth for everyone present.
Paradox of God
In May 1991—26 years ago—Rev. Dr. Wati Aier and Alongla Aier began their journey to build OTS. These may be easy numbers to recall but every stride entailed struggles. That every move will have a “punctual reaction;” that for every cost there will be a corresponding effect, “never happened,” said Dr. Wati while sharing some ‘words from the heart.’
He explained the ‘paradox of god’ thus: history is made of dreams and imagination that drove people to the future. A movement, he said, comes from roots that see far into the future. The ‘God of the Future’ calls men and women of responsibility—OTS was thus created step at a time keeping the future in focus.
“In a world of restoration ecology, you will be tempted to look back. But I challenge you to look ahead. You must move on with freshness of mind, spirit and imagination,” affirmed Dr. Wati while encouraging the faculty that will now take OTS forward. “Living in the past will make you a slave of the present.”
Dr. Wati took time to thank students, faculty members, non faculty members, his family, friends and the NBCC for making the OTS come alive. He expressed his firm belief that the Seminary will become a “leading institution in Asia’s global reality in the next 15 years.”
A Thanksgiving Prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. VK Nuh, the first Chairperson of the Board of Governors, with whom Dr. Wati had first come to meet people from Bade Village who contributed the land on which OTS stands today.
