ABCC urges member churches to assist government

Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 19 (EMN): Underlining the need for quarantine facility and other related services, the Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC) has appealed to its constituent members to step up with measures in any way possible to help the government in accommodating those persons returning from other parts of the country.

ABCC’s statement issued by its executive director V Atsi Dolie has appealed to the ‘able’ churches to help meet the temporal needs such as offering their facility to quarantine centres, providing meals for the centre(s) nearby, donate financial assistance to the management of the centres, give spiritual leadership and guidance in creative ways and any in any other ways they could.

“We all need to be more than grateful to God for what He has been to us in Nagaland despite our many shortcomings,” the statement read while citing how the pandemic has caught us all unaware. The statement also acknowledged the villages and various organisations for their remarkable jobs in safeguarding the citizens and in fighting against the virus.

“All through these weeks and months the churches have been praying and working alongside in whatever way they can. We hope better days are coming soon,” it stated.

Mentioning that the government is facing new challenges with the return of stranded persons into Nagaland, ABCC appealed to all the members to help in any possible ways.

“There may be many loopholes or inadequacy in the government’s preparation but it is not the time to dwell on those unpleasant things; it is time to give, not hold back, help and not react,” it shared adding that perhaps a day would come “when we can evaluate or express our opinions later.’

With the increasing requirement of help despite the enormous assistance extended by some churches, the council requested its member churches to work in proper understanding with the state administrations, village authority and other organisations.

“Make sure that your members who have returned home do not apply the financial assistance from the government which is meant for those who chose to stay where they are outside of Nagaland,” the note stated. Terming such act as a sin, the council stated that by indulging in such activity would consequently deprive someone who are in greater need of assistance.

“Whatever we do to help, let us do it not for the praise of men but for the Lord,” the note concluded.