Haflong, 24th October 2022 : The two years long celebration of Kuki Gospel Centenary Years in Assam concludes with a grand success in the late night of 23rd October 2022 at Songpijang, near Haflong.
The three days celebration was held at Songpijang Play ground from 21st to 23rd October 2022, organized by the Kuki Gospel Centenary Celebration Committee with Rev. Letjalam Lenthang as its Chairman and Pr. Martin Zairem Hengna as its Secretary.
The programme started with reception and registration of guests Songpijang Christian Church compound from 11am to 3pm on October 21.
The ceremonial programme along with the hall was formally inaugurated and dedicated to the Lord by the Chairman Rev.L.Lenthang, at Songpijang playground from 6pm with worship service.
The programme, conducted by Asstt Secretary Fr. Paothang Doungel, started with welcome address by the Vice-Chairman Elder Henjangam Haolai and report from the Secretary Pr. Martin Z.Hengna.
The children department displayed two attractive dances (Skits) under the guidance of Pr. Kaimuong Hengna. That was followed by mass singing and mass prayer and reading out selected verses by Evan. Nengneikim Changsan.
The speech on the main Theme of the celebration “The Transforming power of the Gospel’ was delivered by Rev. Sehjalam Doungel.
The first service concluded with benediction from Elder Thangkam Vaiphei, Diphu.
Then, ‘Musical Fiesta’ started wherein more than 18 artists including Centenary Choir presented various songs.
On the second day, 22ndOctober 2022, the Centenary Hall constructed by Songpijang Christian Church was inaugurated and dedicated to the Lord at 9 am by Rev. Henkhovum Haolai near the Church building.
The ceremonial Centenary Monolith unveiling programme was held from 9.30 am near Songpijang High School. The programme began with reading out Bible verses by the Chairman Rev. L. Lenthang and opening prayer from Elder Tongkam of P.Leikul village.
Then, the historic Kuki Gospel Centenary Monolith was unveiled and dedicated to the Lord by the Adviser Rev. David T.Lhouvum in presence of huge gathering, including delegates of all the Kuki Churches in Assam and few invitees from outside Assam.
That was followed by singing of the theme song by one hundred member of Khanglai Lompi Choir, and another theme song in Kuki traditional Tune (Lakoi La) was presented by Pangmol Cultural Troupe. During the song the Big Gong was beaten 100 (one hundred) times to mark the Centenary by 100 (one hundred) dignitaries, only once by one person.
The programme concluded with prayer from Pr. Chungpao Khongsai, Executive Secretary of KCC Nagaland Synod.
Later, the mass gathering march towards the Hall at Songpijang playground with raising Centenary Slogans up to the Hall.
Conducted by Asstt Secretary Pr. Kamminlen Changsan, the Hall programme commenced with unveiling of the Centenary banner by the Vice-Chairman Elder Henjangam Haolai and announcement from the Secretary Pr. Martin Z.Hengna.
The reading out of selected Bible verses by Evan. Kimneiphal Lenthang, was followed by group song by 131 member Nupi Lompi (Womens’ Group) and opening prayer by Elder Paolal Ngente of Pangmol.
The welcome speech was delivered by GB of Songpijang Mr.Lamkai Guite, and announcement from the Secretary Pr. Martin Z.Hengna.
The historic declaration of Kuki Gospel Day in Assam and related important announcement were given by the Chairman Rev.L.Lenthang.
Condolence service to the all Kuki departed souls within Assam during the past hundred years, was led by Rev.Lamsem Singson and condolence song presented by Centenary Choir.
The Souvenir was released by Rev. Lallun Haolai, Executive Secretary of CHT Tribon, while Souvenir Board Chairman Elder Sehkhopao Changsan explained few points and another Centenary Song in Kuki traditional Tune (Lomla) was presented by Nomjang Cultural Troupe.
The speech on the main Theme “The Transforming power of the Gospel’ was delivered by Rev. Thanglenmang Hangsing, which was followed by group song by131 members of Women’s Choir.
Then, the Secretary Pr. Martin Z.Hengna felicitated one each living family member three missionaries from Mizoram who brought the Gospel here and other past as well as present mission workers.
After mass singing and mass prayer, second Hall programme concluded with benediction from Pr. Thanglen Lunkim, Mahur.
A grand feast was held from 2pm to 4pm in the Compound of Songpijang Christian Church, wherein more than 3500 persons participated.
The evening Hall programme from 6pm conducted by Rev.Kupjagou Doungel, started with reading out of selected Bible verses by Evan. Nengtinkim Haolai, and opening prayer by Pr. Thangtinlun Singson.
On the occasion, the 100 member of Centenary Choir, 131 members of Womens’ Choir and Lasang Mal voice presented group songs.
The speech on the main Theme “The Transforming power of the Gospel’ was delivered by Pr. Henkhovum Haolai.
The gathering was enthralled with her melodious songs and sweet voice by invitee artist from Nagaland KCC Evan. Miss Themnu Thangew.
Then, the Secretary Pr. Martin Z.Hengna felicitated some more persons selected by the KGCCC. The Hall programme concluded with benediction from Elder Singhaulhi Hangsing.
Then, ‘Musical Fiesta’ started again wherein many more artists including Centenary Choir presented various songs.
On the Third day, 23nd October 2022, the worship service was held at Centenary Hall started from 10 am onwards. The programme, conducted by Pr. Henvung Changsan, began with dedication prayer to offertory by Elder Lutpao Singson.
The ‘Sacrament Service’ was ministered by Pr. (Sr.) Thangsuokhup Changsan with short speech.
Nupi Lom and the Centenary Choir presented two songs each and reading out of selected Bible verses by Evan. Linda Hengna.
The speech on the main Theme “The Transforming power of the Gospel’ was delivered by Elder Seithong Keivom.
Then, the Secretary Pr. Martin Z. Hengna felicitated all who have extended special help towards the celebration.
The worship programme come to conclusion with benediction from Elder Lenkhomang Kholhou.
Releasing Programme Centenary Theme song video (Lapi) & “Musical Festa” Khanglai Lompi was held from 12Noon up to 3pm.
The closing ceremony held from 6pm with the Treasurer Elder Lenjakham Changsan as conductor.
The conductor thanked all the contributing Churches and individuals in cash and kind towards the successful celebration.
The worship service began with prayer by Elder Sehngam Chongloi, followed by presentation of one song each by Centenary Choir, Nupi Lom and Speaker’s group.
Reading out of selected Bible verses by Evan. Thangneikim Doungel.
The appointed speaker Pr. Sehkhokam Changsan delivered the last speech on the main Theme “The Transforming power of the Gospel’.
The gathering was enthralled with her melodious songs and sweet voice by invitee artist from Nagaland KCC Evan. Miss Themnu Thangew.
Then, the Secretary Pr. Martin Z.Hengna felicitated some more persons selected by the KGCCC.
Both The Secretary Pr. Martin Z.Hengna and Chairman Rev. L.Lenthang thanked all the contributing Churches and individuals in cash, kind and manual labour, mental and in other ways for which the celebration becomes successful. The duo also extended thanks to Khanglai Lompi, Nupi Lompi, Songpijang Village Committee, SYC/VDP, and all others who help the programme a success. The two wished that God will bless them all.
Then, the Chairman Rev. L.Lenthang, closed the banner and the ceremony with prayer.
After worship service, farewell programme was concluded with ‘Musical Fiesta’ up to 11:00 pm.
It is to be noted that the celebration was held last year near Ngente village, where the first three persons had received Christ in the year 1921 and were subsequently baptized in 1922. But the celebration could not be held for public as there was COVID-19 restriction only for limited persons, limited to one hundred persons. As such, the main celebration for general public has been organized this year at Songpijang near Haflong.
Apart from the main celebration, many programme have been held throughout the year. Those included visiting all the local Churches by the KGCCC leaders, Compilation of information for Souvenir, Mass prayers at Prayer Mount and Teikhangmol and other places,
Torch Rally was organized to commemorate from Songpijang to Mahur and back to Haflong and Songpijang from 9.30 AM to 2PM on 18thOctober 2022 by Kuki Gospel Centenary Celebration Committee, in which more than one hundreds persons taken part.
The rally started with prayer by Rev. M.Thangew and flag off by the GB of Songpijang Mr. Lamkai Guite at 9.30 AM in presence of KGCCC Chairman Rev.Letlam Lenthang, Secretary Rev. Martin Zairem Hengna and other leaders and large numbers of participants at Songpijang Play ground near Haflong.
The main purpose of the rally was to bring the symbolic Gospel Torch from the Ngente and Lasang villages to mark the completion of hundred years since the Kuki community in Assam accepted and follow Jesus Christ.
Hundreds of participants taken out the rally by Bike, Auto Rickshaw, Cars and other vehicles. When they reached Mahur, they gathered in Mahur field along with many fellow Kuki Christians of Mahur areas. The two Torches, one Torch each from Ngente and Lasang villages were brought by few Church leaders arrived the Mahur field soon.
Then the bearers of two Torches lit the one big Torch there at Mahur and putting off the two. Then, Asstt. Secretary Fr. Paothang Doungel dedicated the Torch in prayer.
That was followed distribution of one Torch each by the KGCCC Chairman among all the Kuki villages. The GB or a Church Elder of respective village received and lit the Torch from the Big Torch to take the same to respective village. The field programme was closed with prayer from Upa (Elder) Seiminthang Singsit of Songbung.
Then they came back towards Haflong with the big Torch. They rallied up to Council Rotary and returned to Songpijang field, where the programme concluded with prayer from Upa (Elder) Henjangam Haolai, who is also Songpijang Village Secretary.
It is worth to mention that the message of the Gospel was brought to the Kukis of Assam by their brethren of Mizoram in the year 1920-21. The Kuki community resisted at first as they could not abandon fore-father worship, apart from nature worship. They, however, found the teaching of One Supreme God in Christianity as the ultimate revelation of what they always called ‘Chungmangpa’ during any worship.
To be specific, the Kuki community since time immemorial strongly believes in ‘Chungmangpa’ and ‘Noimangpa’.
‘Chungmangpa’, means ‘the Most High God’ or ‘Supreme God’, who created and control everything with love and care.
‘Noimangpa’ means ‘ruler of the ungodliness world’, i.e. ‘Satan’, who is the real cause of every misery.
Whenever, their Thempu (Priests) performed ritual, they would entrust everything to the ‘Chungmangpa’.
But they did not know who is ‘Chungmangpa’, and who is ‘Noimangpa’.
So, when they heard the teaching of One Supreme God in Christianity, they readily accepted Christianity, even before enlisting their name. Because, they would bring sick persons to the missionaries to pray and many patients also were healed.
That was why, nearly hundred per cent Kuki community have become Christian in Assam.
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