By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The book ‘Pioneering Indigenous Leadership-A Study of the Contribution of John Alla-Ud-Din Khan and James Joy Mohon Nichols-Roy in Establishing the Church of God in India, with Special Reference to Meghalaya’ written by Rev. Dr Bakyrmen Nongpluh, was released by Rev Dr BR Sohkhia, at the Annual Workers’ Conference of the Church of God (M&A), Mawlai Motsyiar on Friday.
The book carries three important areas – new and vital information on the history of the Church of God (M&A), not only about Meghalaya but also about the country; the foundational doctrines of the Church of God (M&A), and a treatment of the tasks of the leaders in the Church of God (M&A).
Former President Church History Association of India, Rev Dr OL Snaitang, who spoke on the occasion says that God has blessed the Church, by calling out people such as Rev Nongpluh to write a book that is seen as a blessing to the believers of the Church; as well as of the other denominations who will come to learn more about God’s work through the Church of God (M&A).
In his remark on the book, he says, to be passionate about writing and literature is to love God, for the God we serve is a “God of Literature.” All throughout the history of the Bible, God has used kings, prophets, women, farmers to write. The book, in his opinion is one that has come out of the heart that is passionate about God’s mission.
Meanwhile, Rev Sohkhia, expressed his joy on the opportunity that gave him a platform to release the book of a man, who was once led to Christ and who has been under his guidance for a long time. “It is my privilege to release the book and hope that it will become a blessing and an inspiration to many who will read it”, he said.
The book is published by ISPCK, a Delhi based publishing company. Copies of the book were gifted to the Pastors who played key roles in the publication of the book and to Professors from the Anderson University, Indiana, USA who were present on the occasion.
Prof Mary Ann Hawkins, who was Rev Dr Nongpluh’s guide during his PhD work, said “This significant work by Bakyrmen Nongpluh, chronicles the people and events that have made the Church of God in India influential in both local culture and the country at large. Dr Nongpluh did not hesitate to share the difficult events during his search for the historical truth. He has provided us with a rare look at the history of the Church of God in North-East India.”
Rev Dr Bakyrmen Nongpluh had earned his doctoral degree in 2011, from Anderson University, Indiana, USA. He currently serves as the Vice President of the Pastors’ Fellowship of Church of God (M&A) and teaches Theology at the Nichols-Roy Bible College, Sohryngkham.