DIMAPUR, Oct 1 � Come October 2, about 1200 Baptist delegates from Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Northeastern region and south India will celebrate their common heritage in the India Mission Summit (IMS) at NBCC Convention Centre in Kohima.
Being organised by American Baptist International Ministries and hosted by Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) on behalf of the Council of Baptist Churches in North East India (CBCNEI), the Summit will be held under the theme �Celebrating the past, envisioning the future� from October 2 to October 5.
Addressing a press conference at NBCC Platinum Hall here yesterday, IMS coordinator Rev Keviyiekielie Linyu said, �Despite their different social cultural backgrounds, they share the same witness to the sacrificial love of American Baptist Missionaries who started their ministries in India more than 175 years ago.�
He said the delegates represent 12 well-established Baptist Conventions and organisations. �They continue the mission to serve the poor and the oppressed bringing them educational, social, health, economic and spiritual transformation,� he said.
Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of American Baptist International Ministries (aka American Baptist Foreign Mission Society) this year, Rev Linyu said the delegates will focus on finding their united voice and cooperation to bless India and the world.
He informed that more than 40 delegates are expected from abroad. This will include delegates from Myanmar, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, etc. Around 23 delegates from America will also be attending the Indian Mission Summit, he added.
Christian leaders and scholars like principal of St Stephen�s College, Delhi, Valson Thampu and co-founder and secretary general of All India Christian Council John Dayal will respond to critical issues facing the India churches such as �21st century India Mega Trends�, �Religious Liberty�, �Human Trafficking, �Youth and Future Leaders� and �Christian Stewardship�, he informed.
He expressed the hope that the summit would provide a new direction to discern churches in the 21st century.
