The 12th Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu (SBAK, Nito Mount) children conference concluded at Aichi Saghemi Village on Sunday afternoon. The three-day conference was held under the theme “In Jesus’ footsteps” and was attended by over four thousand delegates.
Extending greetings on the concluding session, Advisor, Tourism and Art & Culture, H. Khehovi Yeputhomi sought the children’s prayers before delivering his speech stating that children’s hearts are pure and virtuous. Quoting a Chinese proverb, Yeputhomi said, “If you plan for a year, plant crops. If you plan for 10 years plant trees, and if you plan for 100 years, educate children”, and then stressed on the importance of nurturing children with spiritual teachings while also educating them the values of Sumi dialect, its customs, and traditions.
Stating that today’s children are the leaders of tomorrow and that they will carry on the legacy as elderly people tomorrow, the advisor said that investment on children should be valued and efforts should be made to focus on developing children for the future generation. Taking a passage from the Bible, the advisor called upon the children to obey their parents in the Lord so that they would receive blessings. He also exhorted the children to respect their elders, spiritual leaders in order to lead successful lives when they grow up.
Pastor, SBCZ, Dr. Hutton Sumi delivered the word of God on the concluding session. The pastor dwelled on the importance of nurturing the tenets of prayer, obedience and respect in children despite the challenges that modernisation has posed in today’s society. He said these challenges have ushered in added responsibilities on parents and these needed to be addressed collectively within a family.
Earlier, APC, SBC ‘B’ Mokokchung, Livika chaired the concluding programme, APW, UBC Tizu Island, Iliholi offered the invocation prayer while pastor, Aquba New BC, Kitoi said the benediction. Secretary, children ministry, SBAK, Ghosheli Zhimo also expressed gratitude to Aichi Saghemi Village for hosting the three-day conference.
Highlights of the concluding session included a choir presentation by Aghunato Town Baptist Church, choreography presentations by Asukhuto Town Baptist Church and Surumi Baptist Church.