Thousands attend opening of Nagaland Revival and Healing Festival

Dimapur autorickshaw drivers to provide free service

DIMAPUR — Thousands of people gathered at the Dimapur State Stadium for the opening day of the Nagaland Revival and Healing Festival 2025 on Tuesday.

The event is being organised by The Gatekeepers and aims to rekindle the spiritual identity of Christians in the state.

The three-day event commenced with a praise fiesta featuring New Life Music Nagaland, Dimapur Christian Fellowship, Limitless Generation, and Harp Generation, while the main service began at 5 pm.

Apostle Ankit Sajwan, while delivering the message at the festival, called on the gathering to embrace healing, unity, and a renewed identity in Christ.

Sajwan urged the congregation to “accept that you are healed,” explaining that acceptance reflects expectation and belonging to God. Declaring that “the cloud of glory is here,” he told the crowd that Jesus is ready to transform lives.

He appreciated that different denominations of churches and organisations had come together, stating that this is how heaven is going to look. He expressed that Nagaland is going to experience unity like never before.

Sajwan reiterated that he had not come to represent Christianity but to represent Christ.

He cautioned that reducing faith to mere religion is an insult, noting that many remain trapped in what he described as “dead religious Christianity”, without witnessing the power of God.

Also read: Apostle Ankit Sajwan arrives for Nagaland Revival and Healing Festival

“Jesus never told anyone to become Christian. God wants to open our understanding that it was never about religion but about the kingdom of God,” he said.

He mentioned that the kingdom is characterised not by words but by the power of God to set people free.

Sharing his personal testimony of encountering the Lord, he called on Nagaland to return to Scripture. He said the state’s passion for worship is admirable, but worship and the Word must go hand in hand. “Worship is for the Lord, but the Word is for you,” he stated.

Sajwan declared that in Christ there are no tribes but only one tribe of Jesus, stating that they all belong to one tribe, the tribe of Judah.

He added that believers are sons and daughters of God, washed by the blood of Jesus, with a single heavenly identity and citizenship. Sajwan shared that the revival sweeping Nagaland will not be defined merely by signs and miracles, but by love, unity, and oneness among believers.

Read more: Faith gathering in Kohima sees Rio renew appeal for Naga unity

Earlier, extending greetings, Rev. Moses Murry, general superintendent of the Assembly of God, North East India, said that the festival comes at a crucial time for Dimapur and the state. With more than 20,000 people in attendance, he expressed hope that the programme would be a blessing.

He urged believers to humble themselves, turn away from wrongdoing, and surrender fully to Jesus, assuring that God would work miracles in the lives of those who walk in faith.

The Nagaland Revival and Healing Festival 2025 will continue over the next two days.

Free autorickshaw rides

Meanwhile, the Dimapur District Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union (DDADU) has announced free auto-rickshaw dropping services for attendees of the ongoing Nagaland Revival and Healing Festival.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, DDADU President Tito Yepthomi informed that the union, in collaboration with Nikali H Zhimo, councillor of DMC Ward 10, will operate the service from the State Stadium between 6 pm and 9 pm, from December 2 to the 4th, covering areas within Dimapur.

He mentioned that approximately 20 to 30 auto-rickshaws will be stationed at the stadium, with the possibility of increasing the number if required. To ensure easy identification, all participating auto-rickshaws will have special stickers displayed at the back.

Yepthomi asserted that the initiative is to support the fellowship and ensure that the public can attend the festival comfortably and safely.

He expressed hope that the revival will bring “spiritual renewal, healing, and blessings for all”. For further information, the public may contact 6009092221.