Niki Sumi holds consultative meet with Sumi Churches

Top NSCN (K) Naga Army ‘Gen.’ Niki Sumi, who is also the military supervisor of Western Command (Nagaland State), held a 4-hour long inter-denominational consultative and coordination meeting with four different Sumi churches/ denominations – SBAK Aizuto, SBAK Nito Mount, SABAK and NCRC Pughoboto here at the Zunheboto Town Sumi Baptist Church (ZTSBC) from 10 a.m. Saturday.
Speaking during the meeting as the chief host and patron, Niki Sumi extended his profound gratitude to all executive secretaries of the churches and their staff members and Sumi Hoho for being a part of the historic gathering.
Niki Sumi expressed his views on the concept of Sumi denomination/division which had created various misunderstanding and misconception amongst the contemporary Sumi society.
He lamented on the current trends and practices of the churches which contradicted with each other. Niki said reconciliation and unification of all church councils under one banner would be a herculean task and impractical and asserted that his humble attempt was not that of unifying them but to provide a common platform for all Sumi Church Councils to attain mutual understanding, coordination, coexistence, acknowledgement of each Church leaders and to maintain cordial relationship for the sake of the Sumis in particular and Nagas in general.
The positive attributes and outcome of having so many churches amongst the Sumi should not be discarded, said Niki citing various examples.
“The division has created/produced numerous spiritual leaders, missionaries, pastors from grassroots/village levels ranging from peons, office assistants, deacons/deaconesses up to the doctorates, reverends and executive secretaries, which contributes largely to human resources and solves unemployment menace at its own capacity,” maintained Niki.
While highlighting the role of NSCN towards the church and Christianity since its formation in the 1980s, ‘Gen’ Niki stated that the NSCN had been guided under banner of “Nagaland For Christ” till date. He said despite the splits, all the three NSCNs still acknowledged the stand on Nagaland as a Christian nation/state.
Recalling the efforts of NSCN towards the spread of Christianity during its initial days (before the split of NSCN), Niki lauded Isak Chishi Swu, chairman of NSCN (I-M) for being a great source in transformation of Eastern Burma Nagas to Christianity.
Most Naga inhabited villages/areas in Burma have now embraced Christianity and the efforts were still on with rapid pace. He further sought assistances of Naga churches and missionary volunteers.
‘Gen’ Niki, however, lamented that the contemporary Naga leaders both underground and over-ground; church/religious leaders lack the virtues and commitments unlike past Naga leaders.
He quoted from the Bible’s Exodus and compared the same with the current Naga political struggle and pointed out that God’s chosen leaders like Moses and Joshua who liberated Jews from Egyptian clutches, was the most needed weapon for Naga solution and sovereignty.
‘Gen’ Niki concluded by acknowledging the role and duty of the church in nation building and struggle and urged the church leaders to pray and propagate the “word of God/Truth” rather than denominations.
Sumi Hoho vice president, in his keynote address, lauded ‘Gen’ Niki Sumi for providing such a platform which was the first of its kind. He read out a brief outline of Sumi Hoho’s undergoing activities and future programmes/plans.
A prayer for the Sumi tribe, church leaders, Sumi Kukami (GBs), elders, leaders, NSCN and Sumi officers was led by NCRC Zunheboto pastor Khekavi Jakhalu.
The executive secretaries of the four Church Councils – Dr Joshua Rochill of ES SBAK Aizuto; Rev. Yevito of Sumi ES; SBAK Nito Mount; Rev Kihoshe Assumi of ES NCRC and Atovi Asumi of SABAK also exhorted the gathering and affirmed their solidarity towards the welfare and wellbeing of the Sumis and the Nagas in general.
Interaction session/hour was followed by reading out of Sumi Baghi Hoho 2012 resolution by the session chairman and Sumi Hoho general secretary SH Vihuto Asumi.
Special songs were presented by ZTSBC choir, NCRC women folk and short speeches delivered by Hovishe Arkha adivisor and former president of Sumi Hoho.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Sumi Hoho general secretary, Vihuto Asumi, and ‘Col’ Isak Sumi, PRO. The programme began with ZTSBC pastor Dr. Daniel Chishi who led the devotion and invocation. The four hour long programme ended with SBCZ pastor Shekheto Swu who said the benediction prayer.
A grand community feast was hosted by the patron ‘Gen’ Niki Sumi who also donated huge cash to all the church councils. He was accompanied by ‘Col.’ Akaho Zhimo, ‘Col.’ Isak Sumi, ‘Col.’ Shiketo Sumi, Hokishe Zhimo, chairman of Sumi Region, Nitovi CCM, several NSCN (K) rank and files and Sumi Region functionaries.