Churachandpur Christians ‘light up’ India Gate with faith in God
Bruce K. Thangkhal
Churachandpur Christians comprinsing all Mizo tribes gather at India Gate to mark their Gospel Centenary on May 7. Photo: Joy Thanglian.
New Delhi, May 8, 2010: The first day of South Manipur Gospel Centenary celebrations began here with pomp and show. At least a thousand faithful from all Mizo tribes gathered here at the India Gate at around 7.00 PM, after the day’s seminar at EBCC chapel, to light up their ‘candles’ of joy. Simultenous celebrations were also held at Lamka public ground in Churachandpur town where over 10,000 people participated.
Today’s programme in Delhi will mainly focused on seminars.
The event started with devotees taking part in Praise & Worship service earlier in the day. Pastor Minlun Vaiphei (EOC) had the inaugural prayer. Programme Coordinator Shri G. Swanzalian (Chairman, ZCFD) addressed the audience and had a brief introduction of Pastors, Church Leaders and prominent persons.
In the first seminar titled ‘Witnessing in the Metropolitan City’, Rev. Dr. Pumzathang Tombing, a noted Theologian and Bangalore’s Gilead Evangelical Theological Seminary President, emphasized to inform, educate and provoke today’s Christians for evangelism in Urban India. He also encouraged the youths to do good evangelism for the lost souls, the unreached people and for the urban people in India.
Rev. Tombing also pointed out that the tribals, dalits, Scheduled Castes or other low caste groups in the Hindu social order are indifferent towards the outsiders which harbour bitterness and grudges even after embracing Christianity for ages. For instance, a typical tribal Christian in Manipur blamed the Meiteis for his backwardness. On the other hand, many Brahmin Christians do not mix freely with other lower rank in their pre-conversion social order. “We are very comfortable within our own comfort zones and man made social strata. We cocooned ourselves within our own ethnic community circles. Thus the privilege and opportunity of witnessing Christ to the Christless is missing out,” he regretted. Therefore, it is imperative that the church need to revisit Paul’s teaching and re-embrace the oneness and unity of believers in the body of Christ, he added.
In the second seminar titled ‘Launching into the Deep: Reviewing our strategies for the missions for the furtherance of the Gospel,’ Rev. M. Khamkhanchin, Chaplain, Young Christian Leadership Training [Maharashtra], emphasized more on the teachings of Jesus to his disciples such as get out from your place, get into the deep, let down your nets and we are to rescue the perishing souls. He laid some strategies, approaches, church planting, local leadership, challenges and practical guides for the Christians in order to spread the gospel extensively.
Churachandpur Mizos ligh their candles to mark 100 years of Christianity in South Manipur at the India Gate in New Delhi on May 7. Pic: Thanglian
To date, Rev. Chin asserted that 70% of Indians have not heard the Gospel. The responsibility of a faithful Christian has to be realized by now. While we heard 100 years of Gospel, more than half of India is still left behind. Thus we need to rethink and review our tasks and strategies in reaching the unreached. He set an interesting example of Jesus and his disciples about the miraculous catch of fish in an odd situation. Our main focus here is to ‘catch men’, i.e., to spread the gospel among the unheard groups. He said, “Today, some youths are more interested in finding out the speaker’s fault or mistake rather than the message conveyed. In early 1996, I had seen many of our own youths fallen in drugs, waiting for their dead. I realised the need of Gospel in our home.”
Rev. Chin further mentioned that there is no unity among the Christians in Churachandpur. This is the greatest stumbling block in carrying the gospel forward to our surroundings. He passionately raised: “How can we reach the unreached if we are not united in what really counts?”
“God’s grace makes us ‘light’ of the world. Gospel has lifted us spiritually, socially and economically. It’s our turn to rise and shine out to the world. We, the Indian Christians need to wake up and try to fulfill our Lord’s Great Commission wherever the Lord commands us,” Rev. Chin urged the audience.
As closure to the end, Shri Swanzalian highlighted the programme for India Gate and for Day Two (May 8). Joy knew now bounds when Shri Thangzalun Khuptong, Coordinator, Physical Arrangement (SMGCCD) happily announced: “Today at 4.30pm, the approval of India Gate for Candle Lighting reached me through the efforts of Home Ministry Secretary Shri G. K. Pillai. Earlier the Delhi Police has rejected. Now we’re permitted, let us carefully utilize the allotted time 7pm to 8pm. We’ll be in tight security zone. Let’s behave well.”
Rev. Kaikhanmang (NTBC) had the closing prayer. The programme came to end at 6 O’clock.
AT INDIA GATE (See Pictures Here)
At India Gate, around 1,000 people lighted candles and prayed for the nation and Christians around the world. The crowd sang the famous ‘Halleluiah Chorus’.
Rev. Dr. Pumzathang Tombing gave a short message: “This is the first time in which Churachandpur Christians came together, worship together and lit the candle together at India Gate. A historic moment for all of us. Let our light shine the whole nation with peace, love and brotherhood.” The glittering lights attracted the surroundings. Many visitors thronged the spot. “O Candle, though thee small, thy shine so bright! Let thy light so shall shine India,” is the wishes of Churachandpur Christians at India Gate.
From Aizawl to Senvon, Sevon to Churachandpur and finally Churachandpur lit up India Gate. Christians are now looking beyond.
