We are celebrating 175th years of the coming of the gospel in our region. The first American Baptist missionary landed in Assam in 1836.  The humble effort must have been an unnoticeable little spark but it soon spread like a wild fire. Ever since then, thousands of sons and daughters of the soil have been called to serve our regions as evangelists, missionaries, pastors, association & convention leaders, deacons, secretaries, doctors, nurses, teachers, government officials, etc. & etc. The Baptist family have grown into one million member and 7000 Churches today.

The God of the Bible continues to call young men and women to follow him. Some fervently pray, others sacrificially give, and still others go to distant places to make known the Love of God.  We are grateful to God for such a rich continued legacy in our family.

The God of the Bible is not only the Creator of all, but also the Saviour of all. He cares for all who are in need. He continues to reach out the needy through his faithful followers even in our days.

Educational program on Peace:

Mr Atungo Shitiri, the Secretary Justice and Peace, led a workshop to develop a curriculum for Peace Educational program at Eastern Theological College, Jorhat.   64 final year students from M.th and B.D attended.  The resource persons were Rev. Dr. Daniel Buttry, BIM Global Consultant and Dr. Leban Serto, Lecturer, MLCU. They will also facilitate the curriculum building and training programs.  The program will aim at focusing on the teaching of Christ for peace making effort as one of the important components in the theological studies.

A Series of Mission Consultation:

Most CBCNEI Churches are very mission minded but most Churches engage in missions independently without networking with their association or convention.  Henceforth, the Council has begun a special effort to streamline the mission works of our Churches. Dr. Jolly Rimai, the mission secretary, led three Consultations for the mission leaders: (1) 60 leaders of Assam Baptist Convention met at the ETC Jorhat from Feb 16-18; (2) 110 leaders from Karbi Anglong Baptist Convention met at Haflong from March 24-25; (3) 20 leaders from Arunachal Baptist Church Council met in Guwahati from March 28-29. More consultations are in pipelines.

KABC Conference:

In the annual gathering of Karbi Anglong Baptist Convention (March 9-11), held at Delapara Baptist Church, over a thousand members gathered. Rev. Dr. Jolly Rimai, Rev. Taku Longkumer and Rev. Athang Sebu were the main speakers. In a special meeting, Rev. Athang Sebu, Mr. Anderson Tokbi, and Ms Rojoni Kropi were given farewell. Rev. Davidson Ingti was installed as the new General Secretary. Mr. Luke Rongphar shall be the new Mission Secretary and Ms Esther Rani Rongpipi  shall be the new women secretary.

Seminar on Religious Rights:

On Feb 25, Mr. Atungo Shitiri, the Secretary of Justice and Peace, led a seminar for the leaders of the Amri Karbi Association at Samota Pathar (Lalmati). He spoke on the Constitutional rights of the citizen involving religious freedom. All participants appreciated it. They understood their role and responsibilities as law abiding citizens of India while carrying out the charge of the Great Commission.

TLA/CBCNEI Pastors Conference:

59 Pastors stayed four and half days learning how to preach, how to disciples, and how to lead the Church for global mission. Rev. Jeremy Griem, Rev Dr. Gary Harvey, Rev Chris Horton, Mr. Greg Olexa, and Rev. Dr. A. K. Lama were the resource persons. Seventeen pastors were from Mumbai. The program was fully sponsored by TLA ministries.  Dr. Asangla and Ms Boinu Singson coordinated the program.  In the evaluation session, most Pastors were very grateful for the program. They told that they have not attended such an excellent program before. They requested for more of such trainings in the days to come.

Sunday School Teachers Training:

53 Sunday school teachers came to learn how to be an effective Sunday School teachers.  The program was organized in partnership with CBM, New Zealand, and fully sponsored by CBCNEI. The resource persons were Mrs Evangeline Odyou, Ms Binu P. Sinha, and Ms Moalem Aier. Ms Boinu Singson co-ordinated the program.  The teachers enjoyed and requested for more programs of this kind.

Leadership/Faculty Development:

Currently, there are 12 students being sponsored by BIM/CBCNEI scholarship.  The Theological Education Committee met on March 21 and selected another 9 students. Please uphold these students in your prayers as they prepare themselves for future ministry.

Additional Rooms at CCC:

With the increased demand for rooms for training programs, the CCC is building a fifty bedded dormitory.  Please continue to pray for staff team of CCC as they continue to endeavour for excellence in their service.

Pray for the events in April: 

• The Annual Conference of Assam Baptist  Churches Council in Lumding (March 29-31)
• The 75^th Years Celebration of NBCC in Kohima (April 16-21)
• The Students Ministry Board (April 10)
• The ETC Board (April 12)
• Te Medical Board (April 18-19)
• The Executive Committee of CBCNEI (April 26-27)
• The 62^nd Annual conference of CBCNEI in Hamren (April 27-30) 

Thanks for your prayers and words of encouragement.

Your fellow servant in His vineyard.

Rev. Dr. A. K. Lama