The King’s Messenger is no more: Rev Lano Longchar dies at 81

MOKOKCHUNG, JUNE 20: ONE of the most popular, and well-known Christian preacher from Nagaland, Rev Lano Longchar passed away at Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital at Mokokchung on Monday. He was 81.

A public funeral service has been scheduled on Tuesday at Sports Hall, Imkongmeren Sport Complex after which another service will be conducted at the Mokokchung Town Baptist Church (MTBA). Then, his body will be taken to his native village Longkhum village for burial.

“The King’s Messenger” –after the name given in his biography –was born on June 15, 1935 to late Longdangluen and late Medangnaro at Longkhum village. He was the sixth among 12 children. Today, he is survived by his wife, five children and 14 grandchildren.
The late Rev Lano Longchar studied at Longkhum village till Class 2 and pursued his higher studies at Mokokchung, Kohima and Mukhar Christian High School at Shillong. He later obtained his degrees in theology from Culcutta Bible College, Union Biblical Seminary, Yeotmal, Haggai Institute for Evangelism, Singapore and Baptist Theological College of New South Wales, Australia.
In his earlier life, the late Reverend was involved in the Naga Youth Movement and very soon became an active figure as well as a popular member of the Naga National Movement. He believed that the cause for which Nagas stood for was genuine and “beautiful indeed injected with nationalism and patriotism.”

For his stance on Naga cause, he was forced to undergo the unimaginable ordeals including imprisonment and torture in many jails starting from Mokokchung, Jorhat, Kohima, Nowgoan and Shillong.  His eldest son, who has also been ordained as a Reverend, Pongen Longchar, pastor at the MTBA, recalled that his father’s 51 years in the service of the Lord dated back to March 11, 1956, when two foreign missionaries were granted permission to counsel the inmates of Shillong jail. “He confessed his sin and asked for forgiveness, since then he committed his life to Jesus Christ alone till his last breathe here on June 20,” according to the son. The charismatic preacher has been credited with spreading the gospel cross the globe. His works took him to countries like New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia. Back home, he shared the gospel to almost all the tribes in Nagaland besides missionary works at Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Orissa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi.

The preacher, during his lifetime, was accorded with many titles which include: “Leader” given by the Haggie institute International Evangelism, Atlanta USA and “Tanu Putu Sayutsungir Tajungtiba (The best Preacher in this generation)” by Ao Milen and “Prince of Preacher.”

He has also served many institutions and organizations namely: president of Longkhum Student Union 1953-54, president of Naga Youth Movement for two and half year, accountant general of Federal Government of Nagaland , ABAM Youth Worker, Teacher at KG School Mokokchung, Teacher at Government High School Mokokchung, UDA at NCC office Mokokchung, administrator and principal of Baptist English School, Mokokchung, founder president and principal of Bethesda Institution Mokokchung, general secretary of Ao Theological Conference, advisor CE MTBA, assistant secretary of ABAM, memberof Central Advisory Board Social Welfare, Nagaland, associated wih Evangelism With the Asian Outreach INC, Itinerary Evangelism Billy Graham Association, general secretary and president of International Evangelistic Fellowship, editor “Contact” for Nagaland Evangelistic Fellowship and editor “Remnant” magazine IEF. Some of the books he had written are: Studies on the book of Jonah, Spring of Living Water, The Fire of Love, The Ever Abiding Comfort, Songs and Hymns written and Compiled, ABAM Youth Songs, Baptist School Hymns, Bethesda Sings, Song of Grace and The Great Revival songs.
A biography of late Rev Lano Longchar entitled “The King’s Messenger,” was also published by the Heritage Publishing House. A similar account in Ao vernacular entitled “Pai Ni Anitet” was also released.

Chief Minister TR Zeliang’s condolence message to Mrs P.Amenla and family members on behalf of the people of Nagaland over the sad demise of Rev Lano Longchar said, “His unwavering aim in life was to raise as many young people as possible to be prophets who would go far and wide to spread the gospels of the Lord Jesus Christ. “Many have come to know the Almighty through him and many have come closer to the Lord because of him.”

“In his death, we have lost a soft-spoken person who could sound like thunder when at the pulpit urging us all to live a Christ-like life; urging us to love our neighbours; urging us to follow the path shown by the Lord Jesus Christ. Let his death not be the end of the channel of blessings that many of us received through him, but let this be the beginning of fulfilment of his dream: To let more people come to know the gospel through our godly lives.”

“I join the thousands of mourners in this hour of grief, and I, convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members. We pray that the departed soul rest in eternal peace.”

Minister for Rural Development, C. L. John in his message expressed deep sorrow over the death of the President of International Evangelical Fellowship (IEF), Mokokchung, Nagaland
In a condolence message, John said, Late Rev. Lano Longchar was a renowned leader, preacher and spiritual icon of the century. “During his time on earth, he had proven himself to be an honest, trustworthy, committed and truthful Christian Leader,” John said. The Minister said the Eastern Nagas owe much of spiritual revival and life’s transformation to his immense personal effort.

Former MLA K. Hollohon expressed extreme shock and pain and said, “Words are not enough to express my long and blessed association with Late Rev. Lano over the past many decades.”
Hollohon recalled,” I first met him at Zunheboto during the Revival Hour in the 1970s and thereafter, our many interactions had a profound impact on my spiritual life for which I am always grateful to Almighty God and to him. His life of dedication to God’s work is well known by one and all and I believe that he has earned his place beside our Creator for eternity. No amount of words may assuage the pain of losing a dearly loved one, but the greatest consolation lies in the fact that Late Rev. Lano’s life was well lived for the furtherance and fulfillment of God’s purpose for him on this earth.”

Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) said,”As an evangelical preacher and missionary, Late Rev. Lanu Longchar had closed affinity with the people of Eastern Nagaland who had travelled extensively to almost every part of Eastern Nagaland attending evangelical crusades and revivals. Through his powerful and soul – stirring messages, he has been greatly used by God to bring conviction of repentance to many lost souls. He has touched the hearts of many lost souls, young and old for which the people of Eastern Nagaland shall fondly remember him.”
The ENPO president S. Khoiwang Konyak and general secretary Manlang Phom in a message conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family members as they struggle through the grief and sadness and prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.