India Bread of Life: Mission Leaders Meet in Northeast India

One hundred and thirty five delegates representing 13 Baptist conventions and unions in Northeast India attended an Asia Pacific Baptist Federation Mission Consultation in Kohima, Nagaland, from August 25-27. The event was co-sponsored by the Baptist World Alliance and was the first in a series of “Bread of Life” initiatives by its Division of Mission, Evangelism and Theological Reflection (METR). “Northeast India represents 1.3 million

Baptists… collectively sending close to 1,000 cross-cultural missionaries to India and several countries around the world,” said Bonny Resu, BWA regional secretary for Asia and general secretary of the Asia Pacific Baptist Federation (APBF). Delegates explored historical models

of mission, two models from Baptists in the Northeast Indian states of Mizoram and Nagaland, as well as a South Korea missionary model. The recruitment, training and care of missionaries; identifying key areas of partnerships; and the strengthening of churches in the mission field were also studied.

“Much of the mission work has been

zeal based rather than knowledge [based] and yet God has used them to plant perhaps thousands of churches,” Resu said of missionaries from the region. “Leaders

in attendance were serious as they openly confessed their shortcomings both as senders and recipients; but there was also gratitude and an expression of willingness to see greater partnership amongst various Baptist groups.” The Kohima Declaration was released

at the conclusion of the consultation. “We recognize the need for mobilizing mission as [a] people’s movement,” the declaration states. “Baptist churches of Northeast India have the capacity to bring about transformation and make significant contribution to world mission,” but “we also acknowledge the need for improving the manner in which we are doing mission, especially in respect to mobilization, recruitment and training of prospective missionaries.” Delegates pledged to share what was learned “with our churches, associations and conventions/assemblies for implementation.” Presenters and speakers included Tim

Lee, professor of mission at the Korean Baptist Theological University and Seminary in Daejon, South Korea, and chair of the APBF Mission Committee; Chris Barnden, director of ministries at Global Inter-Action of the Australia Baptist Union and a member of the APBF Mission Committee; T. C. Laltlawmlova of the

Baptist Church of Mizoram; Joshua Woo, mission leader from South Korea; Laiu Fachhai, director of Serving in Mission for Northeast India; Wati Longkumer, director of the Nagaland Missions Movement of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC); Anjo Keikung, general secretary of NBCC; Resu; and Fausto Vasconcelos, BWA METR director. “We had a wonderful conference and

I trust that as a result of this we will see greater effectiveness in mission . . . and partnership amongst the 13 Baptist conventions,” Resu said.

Top: Delegates who attended the APBF Mission Consultation in Kohima,

Nagaland, India

Right: BWA METR Director

Fausto Vasconcelos addressing delegates at the mission consultation

OCTOBER/DECEMBER 2011

9