THEME AND PRAYER POINTS

 

  1. Theme: Being Worthy of the Gospel (Philipians 1:27)
  2. Sub-themes:
  • (i) Our heavenly identity in contrast with our worldly identity has to be seriously reconsidered today.
  • (ii) The meaning of the Gospel in its holistic nature needs to be urgently understood and applied.
  • (iii) Christians need to be ever-examining themselves if their conducts are worthy of the Gospel.

BRIEF REPORT OF NEICC

(to be read out in the Worship Service)

 

The North East India Christian Council (NEICC) which was established in 1937 as Assam Christian Council, became North East India Christian Council (NEICC) in 1962. The NEICC comprise 37 member churches and 18 associate members, altogether 55. There are two important bodies under its umbrella – NEICC Youth Assembly (NEICCYA) and NEICC Women Assembly (NEICCWA) functioning with their own leaders and activities. The NEICC is affiliated with the National Council of Churches in India, and it is also taking an active part in the United Christian Forum North East India, which is a forum inclusive of most churches in North East India including Roman Catholics.

The NEICC started its important project, the Union Christian College (UCC) in 1952. At present, there are more than 1000 students altogether in Arts, Commerce and Science streams. It is a co-educational and residential college.  The NEICC started another project, the UCC Higher Secondary School in 2016 within the UCC campus. The Higher Secondary School comprises of Nursery to Class XII, from Arts, Science & Commerce Streams. The Peace Centre, which is a centre for research, documentation and training, is functioning well for 2 years now.

The Sessions of NEICC are held biennially (every two years), the latest (4th Biennial Session/80th Session) was held at Jalukie Town Baptist Church, Nagaland during 16th-19th May 2024. The next Biennial Session will be hosted by Garo Baptist Convention in the year 2026. The Council was established to promote unity among the Churches of North East India, and to liaise in the rising matters between the Government and Churches/Christians, and between ethnic groups or tribes to promote peace and mutual understanding. The Council often organize Seminar/Consultation on church union and address other burning issues arising in North East India.

 

The Office Bearers of the Council for 2022-2024 are:

 

President                                   : Rev. S.R. Dkhar,                       KJP Synod Mihngi, Meghalaya

Vice President                          : Rev. Kamson Rongphar,        Karbi Anglong Baptist Convention, Assam

Vice President                          : Rev. Lalfakzuala,                      Mizoram Synod, Mizoram

General Secretary                    : Rev. Dr. Ramengliana,            Manipur Synod, Manipur  (full time)

Treasurer                                  : Rev. I. Khyriem,                         Church of God (Ecclesia), Meghalaya

 

PRAYER POINTS

 

  1. Pray for the 55 units of the NEICC –that the 37 churches and 18 para-church organizations would fulfil each of their missional and ecclesial tasks- and that the spirit of unity and brotherhood shall prevail among the member units.
  2. Pray for the NEICC Women Assembly and NEICC Youth Assembly – that they will grow from strength to strength to cater to the needs of women and youth of the region.
  3. Pray for the staff of the NEICC office and their families- that God would give wisdom, health, undying commitment, skill and know-how to run the ministry of NEICC smoothly and successfully.
  4. Pray for the Office Bearers, the Executive Committee members, and the Standing Committee members- that they will have the ability to discern the needs of the people, possess the courage to do what is best, and the resources to fulfil the task set before them.
  5. Pray for the Principal, Staff, and students of Union Christian College and UCC Higher Secondary School, where more than a thousand students are studying- that the college will be a place where everybody grows intellectually, as well as spiritually.
  6. Pray for the Peace Centre (Centre for Research, Documentation and Training) – that it will be an important instrument for the prevalence of peace and harmony in North East India,
  7. Pray for the coming of lasting peace in the trouble-torn Manipur state, for wisdom for the authority to discharge their duties justly, and for the people of God to show their responsibilities as peacemakers and as the light of the world.
  8. Pray for the success of the Manipur Relief, Rehabilitation and Restoration Project, a plan envisioned to cater to the needs of the suffering people of Manipur due to the present conflict. Contributions are being appealed to churches, organizations, families, and individuals.
  9. Pray for the upcoming programs of NEICC – (i) Northeast School of Peace, (ii) NEICC Foundation Day Celebration, (iii) Northeast Church Leaders Conference, (iii) NEICC Seminar on Relevant topics.

 

Note:     All the headquarters of NEICC member Churches are requested to translate the above programme, prayer items and reports in your respective dialect and circulate to your local Churches.