“Lord’s Supper”, with secretary ordination board, Rev Kughato Chophi marked the culmination of three day-long most “prolific and top Sümi religious leaders” ordained minister’s meet 2016 under the aegis of the SBAK-NM, here in Asukhuto Village Baptist Church, Zunheboto district, Sunday.
Sunday devotion service witnessed one of the senior most serving ministers amongst the Sümi contemporary religious/spiritual leader sr pastor SBCZ and former executive secretary SBAK-NM, Rev Yevito Sumi as the speaker who delivered a sermon on the topic, “Ni eno ni kukuhoü/we and our church (s)”. He also cited his nearly three decades long service in different capacities.
He firstly, extended blessings and regards on his and Sümi Baptist Church Zunheboto (SBCZ) behalf. “The services rendered by the ministers/pastors should not only be confined to their respective churches but as a whole mission throughout the entire possible extent”, exhorted Rev Yevito Sümi. He further dwelt on the process of gruesome Bible translations to “our” mother tongue Sümi literature which was underway.
Rev Yevito urged the congregation to ponder on “introspection of oneself, who am I?”, including himself while quoting the Jews Exodus liberator Moses, who questioned God’s call by saying, “who am I to meet the mighty Egyptian pharaoh”. He also cited the examples, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Paul (Roman army captain) and various others, “who were young, naive and timid, but God chose them for the noble task which led to the extension of God’s Holy Kingdom and spreading gospels throughout the four corners of the world”, maintained Rev Yevito while exhorting the gathering, “to have faith since God had chosen us to do His Noble Tasks”.
“You did not choose me but I chose you amongst many other”, a very popular and famous quote which everyone, “not only the ordained ministers but other church leaders should also emulate”, maintained Rev Yevito while recalling his younger days back in 1991, when he was first appointed the pastor of Zunheboto Town Baptist Church now known as SBCZ and further, conferred ordained minister status in 1997.
“Ordained or ordination title has nothing to do with social status or superiority but rather, first among the equals”, stressed Rev Yevito while concluding with a note saying, “there is nothing above or below us ‘ordained ministers’ but are equal to all the spiritual servants”. Earlier the program was chaired and recorded by director URF Rev Shekiye Achumi and Rev Hotovi respectively which began with mass “healing and cleansing” prayers. Sunday’s devotional service began with evangelist (retd) Rev Vihuto who said the invocation and called the Holy Spirit presence in the midst.
“Responsive reading” was led by pastor Viyixhe BC Rev Heshito, while “prayers and offertory” for the host Asükhuto village was administered by pastor SBC Naltoqa town, Rev Henito. Host Asükhuto village women folk and youths enthralled the congregation with very special songs respectively.
The devotional service ended with pastor (retd) Rev Shitozü, who said the benediction followed by “Lord’s Supper” administered by Rev Kughato Chophi assisted by Rev Ghoheyi Aye and field supervisor Rev Tohekhü.
The speaker of the evening was pastor (Retd) Rev Dr Vitoho who stressed on the topic, “Ni eno Kungugha”; he exhorted the gathering citing his father’s exemplary who was also a pastor. His main concern and sermon was towards the host Asükhuto village community and administered lengthy blessings and prayers for the latter. Earlier the evening final service was led by ordination board member Rev Khuvihe and recorded by pastor Khukishe BC Rev Ghovito.
Secretary ordination board Rev Kughato Chophi extended Thanksgiving and gratitude note to the host Asükhuto village and all those who had participated in various ways for the success of the programme. He also thanked the editor-in-chief of Nagaland Post, Geoffrey Yaden for daily coverage of the event and prayed, “for providing more wisdoms, blessings, long life and future endeavours to his family and the Nagaland Post fraternity for wide publicity, far and across all four corners”.
Speech and felicitation were delivered by host Asükhuto village Akükau/GB and associate pastor women AVBC respectively; next annual session 2017, host village Aotsakili Village acceptance speech, greetings and keynote address was delivered by Akükau/GB Aotsakili Village. Special song by host Asükhuto village BC womenfolk and thanksgiving/gratitude note by ordination board secretary Rev Kughato Chophi were the other highlights of the evening service.