wfn.org | BAPTIST BODY IN INDIA MARKS MILESTONE

[RICH.SCHRAMM@ecunet.org]

To: wfn-editors@wfn.org

AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS SERVICE 
Office of Communication  
American Baptist Churches USA 
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director 
 E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

COUNCIL OF BAPTIST CHURCHES IN NORTH EAST INDIA 
MARKS HALF-CENTURY MILESTONE
 The Council of Baptist Churches in North East India 
(CBCNEI), which includes the Arunachal, Assam, Garo, Karbi-
Anglong and Manipur Baptist conventions and the Nagaland 
Baptist Church Council, is marking its half-century 
celebration this year.  CBCNEI has been partnered over its 
history by American Baptist International Ministries.
 With "Growing Together" as the theme, officers, 
delegates from each member church body and guests celebrated 
50 years of ministry Feb. 18-20.  Worship and other events 
were held in the Guwahati Baptist Church building and on the 
adjoining grounds of the CBCNEI headquarters.  During the 
gathering CBCNEI officers dedicated a monolith that 
commemorates their long-standing partnership with 
International Ministries.  The approximately 10-foot-tall 
stone was provided by members of the Lotha Naga tribe.
 A highlight of the meetings was special music in 
different styles provided by the choir of Eastern 
Theological College in Jorhat, Assam; the Guwahati Baptist 
Church youth; and the Naga Christian Fellowship, comprised 
of Naga Baptists living in the Guwahati area.  Other events 
included workshops and a cultural program of traditional 
songs and dances presented by those attending from Arunachal 
Pradesh and members of the Karbi-Anglong people group of 
Assam.
 Featured speakers included the Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, 
principal of Oriental Theological College of Nagaland; the 
Rev. Dr. Denton Lotz, general secretary of the Baptist World 
Alliance; the Rev. P. Bonny Resu, general secretary of the 
Asian Baptist Federation; the Rev. Benjamin Chan, area 
director for East Asia and India of American Baptist 
International Ministries; and Dr. Fred Downs, retired 
American Baptist missionary.  Current CBCNEI General 
Secretary Dr. Ngul Khan Pau and past general secretaries the 
Rev. Dr. Imotemjen Aier and the Rev. Lorendro Singma brought 
greetings. 
 CBCNEI reports for 1999 show that the council consists 
of 5,684 churches and a baptized membership of nearly 
770,000.  
 -- release based on information provided by Charlotte 
Gillespie, retired International Ministries staff member and 
missionary

4/5/00
WFN45A

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