Under the initiative of Autonomous District Council, Ccpur (ADCC), District Level One Day Public Leaders’ Seminar was recently held on December 8, 2012 at EBC Guest House Auditorium, New Lamka. The theme selected for the day was: “He Restores My Soul” (Psalm 23:3a).
The program starts at 10:20AM as the presider, Pu Thangzamuan Hauzel, took his place and invited Rev. S. Tunpau to open it with prayer. It was followed by a wonderful time of praise and worship led by Evan. L.L. Muona, M. Zamchinthang, Lianlunching, Lalneihmawi and Khup.
This was followed by greetings and opening remarks on behalf of the organizers by Elder Chinsum. Then Lianlunching sang “Khrist ka Suangpi leh...” which reminded the listeners once again that Christ is our sure foundation.
Then Rev. Dr. Kh. Khaizakham, one of the two resource persons for the day, took his place and engaged the participants with a poignant topic entitled, “Challenges of Public Leaders in This Materialistic World”. He lovingly and respectfully deals on the pressing concerns of our times like Greed: the ever growing monster of our time; What Jesus our Lord taught about possessions; Do we dare to live a different life from our colleagues around us? Are we exceptions or to be counted with all others? Do we dare to be different? Let us learn to live in contentment.
Reverend closed his address with moving thoughts: C.S. Lewis said, “There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, “Thy will be done” and those to whom God says, “All right, then have it your way.” “And believers we need to remind ourselves that we are followers of Jesus Christ and following Him involves daily living and walking in the presence of the Lord... Following Jesus is costly. But not following Him is costlier... The most important thing in this brief life is that we prepare ourselves for eternity, the new world that is coming. Prepare to meet your God.”
After the message Themnu and Lhaiboi presented a duet titled “Pakai Hin Ven Ka Gam Uhi”. Then the presider gave a brief comment and invited Lianlunching and Lalneihmawi for a duet on “Egypt Gam”. With this the first session came to an end and Elder Chinsum prayed for blessing of tea and snacks.
After a short tea break began the second session with praise and worship. Then Elder Langkhanpau Guite, Hon’ble Chairman, ADCC introduced some members who participated and made comments on how last year (December 8, 2011) it all began after a number of prayerful conversations between several individuals and leaders had happened. He also led the gratitude-gifts to resource persons and singers for the day.
This was followed by Special song from Nemi Haokip titled “Na vangbuona ka chan haw hi”.
Testimony sharing by Rev .Th. Mangthianlal, President and CEO of Glocal Volunteers followed the special song. He titled “The Chapters of My Life: Under the Hand of God”. He dwelt on his personal encountered with God and how from Arunachal and Guwahati he returned to Lamka town in Southern Manipur in obedience to God’s calling to serve Him and our folks. He also mentioned why Glocal Volunteers came into being with a shared vision and some of its main objects - that primarily centred around generational responsibility.
Then the worship team led us with a song titled “Lalpa Kuomah Kir Nawk Ei Tiu”.
Dr. David Jamzathang, Director of Peoples Heath Foundation, was invited for testimony sharing. He mentioned about his early life, former work and how with his wife he came back to town to serve the populace. He mentioned that in the year 2001 he came back to Lamka with his wife and started Peoples Health Foundation to cater to the needs of its inhabitants. He emphasised on its non-communal approach.
ECT duet, Themnu and Lhaiboi Haokip, enthralled the participants with a special song titled “Toupa hong hehpih in kei leh ka innkuante”.
After this the presider invited Rev. Dr. J.M. Ngul Khan Pau, the resource person for the second session, to take his time to deliver what God has laid upon his heart. Reverend requested LL Muona to sing, “The Longer I Serve Him the Sweeter It Grows” as he opened his talk. The title that Reverend Paupu chose to address was, “The Smell of Sunset and the Hope of Sunrise.”
Genesis 28:11, Genesis 32:31 and Proverbs 4:18,19 were the Scriptural verses he selected. Some of the thoughts to ponder that he brought up were:
1) The Seven Blunders (The Deadly Social Sins) – wealth without work; pleasure without conscience; commerce without morality; politics without principles; knowledge without character; science without humanity; and worship without sacrifice.
2) The smell of sunset in the Roman Empire
3) The sunset and sunrise in Jacob’s life
4) Six sicknesses in Nagaland by (late) Rev. Dr. I. Ben Wati
5) Politics without principles
6) The sun rose upon Jacob
He concluded by telling the story of a transformed King, Henry III of Bavaria. In the eleventh century Henry III grew tired of court life and the pressures of being a monarch. He made application to Prior Richard at a local monastery, asking to be accepted as a contemplative and spend the rest of his life in the monastery. “Your Majesty,” said Prior Richard, “do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience? That will be hard because you have been a king.” “I understand,” said Henry. “The rest of my life I will be obedient to you, as Christ leads you.” “Then I will tell you what to do,” said Prior Richard. “Go back o your throne and serve faithfully in the place where God has put you.” When King Henry died, a statement was written: “The King learned to rule by being obedient.” Rev. Paupu ended his talk by asking all his listeners, “Can we take our place of position/privileges as a place to serve Him, in obedience to His teachings?”
After the delivering of two very important and lively topics, the presider invited comments from participants and also to share their personal thoughts in the line of the two topics which was being shared.
Pu Vungzagin Valte, Hon’ble MLA of Thanlon constituency and Parliamentary Secretary, first commented in the light of the messages. Elder H. Mangchinkhup, EM of Autonomous District Council, CCPur, also commented and shared his opinions and few of his experiences. Both lifted for further thoughts about the lack of fund, difficulty in fulfilling unreasonable expectations from some corners of our people, and the problems of some mindsets that the public have about peoples’ representatives to favour them in kind or cash. They also mentioned about how hard they tried and will be trying for the best interest of the people whom they represented.
Dr. David Jamzathang also commented about some of the issue faced by our people and the need for changing of attitude.
Donkhannuam also commented and asked Rev. Dr. J.M. Ngul Khan Pau about a particular biblical passage to which reverend responded to.
Wrap up was done by the presider, Pu Thangzamuan. He mentioned that we speak from different angles and learn many things today. He further stated the importance of communication in nation building and for that matter we must continue to communicate to each other – from various angles. Unless we communicate, we will not be able to see the big picture. Therefore communication will help us solve the various problems and issues we are facing. He also mentioned about the importance of using Right to Information Act (RTI) in our district, which was started in our country in 2005 to get all the government information we needed (especially concerning financial dealings and developmental work).
Then worship team led us in another wonderful moment of worship.
Prayer for the public representatives was done by Rev. S. Vungminthang. “You called me a shepherd and I called you also a shepherd” said the reverend. He referred many thought provoking and reflective words which touched the very core of the gatherers. And then he invited all the public leaders to come forward and stand in front of him at the altar as he read out from God’s word - 1 Cor. 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” Then he prayed for them and blesses them in God’s name.
This was followed by a song “The Old Rugged Cross” by LL Muona.
Then Elder Demmang Haokip, Hon’ble Vice Chairman ADCC, delivered the word of thanks.
Closing prayer was led by Rev. Dr. Dongzathawng. He requested all to join hands and pray in unison. It was a beautiful and touching moment that we all felt the presence of Holy Spirit. Then Rev Thawng closed the prayer and the day’s seminar by thanking God for such a day of memorable gathering.
This was followed by photo session and all partook together in a wonderful feast.
Below is the list of participants of the day:
Name
Elder H. Mangchinkhup
S. Minboi Vaiphei
Nehthang Mate
Ngamhao Touthang
B. Zodingliana
Kamsuanlun
G. Suanchinpau
M. Ginzapau Guite
P. Sianzadong
Hrila
Vungzagin Valte
Sumlianthang
M. Gouzamang Guite
Lal Hossan
Thangkhomang Haokip
Lalhmangpui Fimate
H. Jamkhanpau Simte
Thanglalmuan Hauzel
T. Thangkhansiam
Rev. T. Liankholal
Naemy Haokip
V. Khaikhanmang
Lalditsang
Nengzakap
Ginkhankhup @ Khup
M. Zamchinthang
Lianlunching
Lalneihmawi
Evan L.L. Muona
Lamneithem
Lhaiboi
Holchin
Kholnu
Remte
Rev Dr Dongzathawng
Upa (Dr) S. Ngulzalal
Dr Rev. Enn Za Sian
Mangkhogin Haokip, IPS
Rev S. Tunpau
Rev Dr J.M. Ngul Khan Pau
Rev Dr Kh. Khaizakham
Upa Phungzathang Tonsing
Elder Demmang Haokip
N.T. Shanga Hangshing
Rev S. Vungminthang
Elder Langkhanpau Guite
L. Jamson
Shinghoihching
Lucy Engjadim
Chiinsianmang
Tanmawi
Donkhannuam
Douching
Nenieng
Dr David Jamzathang
Dimzangai
Chin James (cameraman)
Elder Chinsum
Thangzamuan Hauzel
Rev Th. Mangthianlal
Judged on the level of response and the way things turned out, there is a feeling that the Lord has blessed the efforts and investment for the conclave of public leaders. Most of the participants and resource persons expressed a desire to see such gatherings continued under the banner of “District Level Public Leaders” in times to come.
May God bless our representatives and may He continue to lead each one of them beside the still waters of rejuvenation. Let us turn our hearts, minds and eyes and collectively focus all resources towards Jesus Christ as a sole redeemer from the bondage of evil in our Land!
Towards a brighter outlook,
Pastor Th. Mangthianlal & Upa Chinsum.
(January 02, 2013)
-----------------------
PS: Seminar papers presented by Reverends Dr Khaizakham and Dr JM Paupu during the above-mentioned one-day program can be provided to individuals who have interest and concerned for our land and people. Request/ Demand for the same could be addressed to the two addresses given below: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Thanks and may God continue to bless our land!