New Delhi, May 02 2010: "The early missionaries had suffered all kinds of tortures and sufferings for You and Me.

It is time for the Christians to shine our light to everyone and become the source of blessings for the non-believers," said Rev.Wilson S.Gangte, Chairman, Southern Manipur Gospel Centenary Celebration Committee Delhi (SMGCCD), here on Thursday night.

Many reasons to joy for the Christians of Churachandpur district, a two-day long Gospel Centenary celebration with a theme of 'Let Your Light So Shine (Matthew 5:16)' will be held at EBCC Chapel, Dwarka and Dogra Hall, IIT Delhi on May 7 and May 8 respectively.

However, Churachandpur with a theme 'Darkness to Light (Isaiah 9:2)' shall be celebrating at Lamka Public Ground from May 4-7 .

Shri Thangzalun Khuptong, Coordinator, Physical Arrangement (SMGCCD) said: "On May 7, evening there will be a Candle Lighting Ceremony at India Gate.

This will be a symbolic expression of shinning the gospel throughout the length and breadth of our country.

Let our faith reach the unreached." He added, "Everything is finalized.

We have earmarked a budget of Rs.3.5 lakhs for the celebration.

I believed this centenary will culminate a sense of unity among the Christians in Manipur" .

The idea of Joint Celebration was spelled-out for the first time in the meeting of several Church Leaders held at EBCC, Dwarka on October 10, 2009.With the initiative of EBCC Church Leaders, a Southern Manipur Gospel Centenary Celebration Committee Delhi (SMGCCD) was formed on October 24, 2009 .

The Organising Committee visited different churches in Delhi during February and March, this year.

The committee is pivotal in carrying out many activities.

Mr..TZamlunmang Zou, Publicity, Souvenir Board, said: "Gospel Centenary souvenir GOSCENT is ready, yet to be released.

It contains valuable records and writings.

This will be the biggest asset for the young generation" .

As of now, some of the Lamka-based Churches in Delhi are Delhi Hmar Christian Fellowship (DHCF), Evangelical Baptist Convention Church (EBCC), Evangelical Organisation of Churches (EOC), Gangte Christian Fellowship (GCF), Kuki Worship Service (KWS), Manipur Evangelical Lutheran Church Delhi (MELCD), New Testament Bible Church (NTBC), Presbyterian Church of India (Reform) [PCI(R)], Vaiphei Christian Fellowship (VCF) and Zomi Christian Fellowship (ZCF).

Besides, around 20 churches in Delhi were also invited in the centenary.

Prominent persons such as Rev.Dr..TPum Za Thang, President, Gilead Evangelical Theological Seminary (GETS), Bangalore and Rev..MKhamkhanchin, Chaplain, Young Christian Leadership Training (YCLT), Maharashtra will deliver the gospel message during the centenary.

"Gospel Centenary will be a landmark for the Christians in Churachandpur.

It will be a blessing day for all of us.

It will bring many people together in one platform.

This can be a road map for unity in future and a strong foundation for the next centenary," said over telephone Rev.Lalrosiem Songate, General Secretary, Southern Manipur Gospel Centenary Celebration, Churachandpur.

Churachandpur, the locals preferably called 'Lamka', is one of the eight districts of Southern Manipur.

The land is inhabited by Aimol, Chiru, Chothe, Gangte, Hmar, Kom, Mizo, Paite, Simte, Thadou, Tedim, Vaiphei, Zou tribe from time immemorial.

It is a land of culture and traditions.

The land is infamous for ethnic fights! .

The year 1910 was the turning point in the history of Manipur, especially for Churachandpur.

Aizawl based Welsh missionary Watkin R.Roberts along with Mr.Lungpau and Mr.Thangkai, who were studying at Aizawl, came to Senvon village in Churachandpur on 7 May, 1910.Watkin R.Robert was invited by the curious Village Chief of Senvawn, Shri Kamkholun Singson to explain 'what Gospel is'.

Roberts began his preaching in this village.

Soon the good news spread like the wildfire and reached the entire hills of Churachandpur.

This led to a massive transformation of old-aged traditional religion into Christianity among the tribals.

Thereafter May 7 has been observed as the missionary day in Churchandpur.

Rev.William Pettigrew was the first English missionary to landed in Manipur on 6 February 1894.He started a Lower Primary School at Imphal but failed due to strong opposition of the locals.

This compelled him to move to Ukhrul district.

There he started another school and began his ministry among the Tangkhuls.

Later, Ukhurl became the seed of Christianity in the Northern Manipur.

This is how Manipur has two missionary days.

In Manipur, Rs.12 lakhs is budgeted for Gospel Centenary Celebration.

More than 20 Churches is expected to take part in the celebration.

Rev.Lalrosiem Songate has expressed his greetings to the people: "Though the Christians in Churchandpur are divided into numerous denominations, our God is one.

No one is greater or lesser.

Today, we are socially and politically apart.

We shall be one in heaven one day.

Let the Gospel Centenary Celebration brings peace and happiness to each and everyone" .

* Bruce K.Thangkhal can be contacted at khaalnou(at)yahoo(dot)com .

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