DIPHU, May 28 - Diphu Baptist Church (DBC), the pioneer church of Diphu town celebrated its golden jubilee with a three-daylong programme starting from Friday last. The theme of the celebration was �Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today�.
A souvenir was released on Sunday commemorating the 50 years of long glorious journey of DBC. It was mentioned in the souvenir that the Diphu Baptist Church was established by the joint efforts of few Christian religious men who had come to settle at Diphu for the purpose of serving in government offices in 1948-1950.
The establishment of the present Diphu Baptist Church was very tough one because of low population. Diphu was covered with thick jungles and wild animals except for the government employees serving in Deputy Commissioner office, Education department, Diphu Hindi Training Centre and serving as nurses at the Diphu civil hospital, there were not many local residents in the town. From 1965, the few Christian families started to meet regularly for prayer service and later a Christian Fellowship was formed combining the Karbi, Mizo, Rengma and Garo Christians.
At last due to the endeavour of the Christian Fellowship the Baptist Church was set up on May 28, 1968. Persons like Late John Terang, Late Bapuram Singnar, Horen Phangcho, Bidyasing Timung, Late Sawiluaia, Late C Rongura, Late Geuenson G Sangma, Parno Terang and many others were instrumental in the setting up of Diphu Baptist Church, the souvenir stated.
Speaker Rev. LK Tsanglao, former missionary of NKBA while addressing jubilee celebration said that Diphu Baptist Church by attaining the age of 50 has now become mature to send its members for Cross Culture Mission to other places. �The Diphu Baptist Church has now turned 50 and is fully mature. The Church needs to send its members outside for Cross Culture Mission for the spread of Gospel to other people and nations,� Rev. Tsanglao said.
Rev. Tsanglao said that from a handful of 17 Christian families at the beginning, it has now increased its family numbers to 180, which is truly the blessing of God. Speaking from the book of Revelation Rev. Tsanglao reminded the faithful about the nearing of the judgment day, where the righteous will be saved and the wicked will have to suffer in the eternal flame of fire. In order to be saved from the eternal suffering every faithful should be obedient and serve God.
Exhortation was given away by former missionary from Mizo Presbyterian Synod, Aizawl, Mizoram and former Pastor, Union Church, Diphu Rev. Rokhuma. Beautiful choir numbers from Rongkimi Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Baptist Church and Diphu Baptist Church, Women Ministry and Jubilee choir group were presented. Pastor, DBC Hilson Singnar was the chairman for the jubilee service.
Earlier in the morning, the jubilee flag was hoisted by the Church Pastor Hilson Singnar followed by the unveiling of the commemorative stone.
In sync with the jubilee celebration, a memorial service meet among the founding members was organised and it was conducted by Pastor Hilson Singnar, Rev. VL Zaithanga, PCI.
Besides, in the evening �Re-union Service� of former leaders was held with the DBC Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee under the chairmanship of Tendon Terang and gospel message was brought out by DBC Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee.
Subsequently �Re-union Sunday� was held among the former DBC members.
The full-fledged churches invited in the Re-union Sunday were: City Baptist Church, Klirdap Baptist Church, Upper Ok-kehai Baptist Church, Langtibuk Baptist Church, Rongchingdon BC, Achik BC, Diphu Mizo Presbyterian Church and Diphu Town BC.
