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, 22nd
October 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 18th
October 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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