HT Bureau
DIPHU, Dec 27: Rongchingdon Baptist Church, Rongchingri, Diphu celebrated its silver jubilee, to commemorate 25 years of the church with a two-day long celebration on Monday and Tuesday at the church premises with the theme, ‘Rejoicing in Christ’ Philippians 4:4.
On Monday, the church flag was hoisted by the Silver Jubilee Celebration Committee, president, Pastor Harun Rongpi. Felicitation to former and present leaders of the church including Women, Youth and Sunday School department and Langvoku and Longhup Fellowship were made as recognition of their service to the church. Souvenir ‘Ruptalon’ was released by convenor, Finance Sub-Committee, Hemari Kro, while pandal was inaugurated by Kledish Terangpi.
Today, on the final day of the celebration, the executive secretary, NKBA, Rev Tenson Bey unveiled the commemorative stone in presence of Pastor, RBC, Harun Rongpi. It was followed by a jubilee worship service which was chaired by Pastor Harun Rongpi.
The worship service started with the welcoming speech delivered by Deacon, Roben Rongpi and reading out of the church history by ex-Pastor, Robinson Rongpi. Introduction and felicitation to reverend and pastors coming from various churches including other special and invited guests was taken up by the church secretary, Augustine Teron.
Greetings from NKBA were delivered by Rev Tenson Bey, while from DBC was delivered by the Pastor Hilson Singnar and from Diphu Area Baptist Fellowship was delivered by the president, Rev Khoyasing Ronghang.
Speaker Lawrence Ingti, a former executive secretary, NKBA in his jubilee message called upon the church members to be united in serving God. He asked the church members to forgive each other the differences they have, so the church grows from strength to strength. To have understanding in the family, Rev Ingti said that husband and wife should submit to each other to strengthen the family as well as the church. With unity in the family the church will grow strong, Rev Ingti said. The total members have now grown to 445 with 109 families incluiding Langvoku and Longhup Fellowships.
The youths of RBC sang the jubilee theme song, ‘Pini ning arong pen talon a jubilee.’ While the choir members of Karbi Anglong Evangelical Baptist Convention Church and DBC have presented their special number. The members of Longhup Fellowship also presented their choir, while members of Langvoku Fellowship performed gospel choreography. Sunday school children also presented action songs.
Guests like Senior Pastor, DBC, Rev Dr Solomon Rongpi; president, NKBA, Joseph Hanse; president, DABF, Rev Khoyasing Ronghang; pastor, DBC, Hilson Singnar including pastors from various churches and others were amongst the attendees.
Brief history of the church
Initially, it was a fellowship under Diphu Baptist Church (DBC). With just a handful of seven families, Rongchindon Baptist fellowship was formed with seven families in 1990. After having discussion with the Church leaders of DBC, they were asked to bring No Objection Certificate (NOC) from respective churches for submission. With ten families, RBC was formed on December 27, 1997. Rev Lawrence Ingti, the then executive secretary, Nihang Karbi Baptist Association (NKBA) installed the church.
