SHILLONG Dec 7: A book titled ‘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, and published by ISPCK, a Delhi based publisher was released Rev. Dr. Borman Roy Sohkhia at the Annual Workers’ Conference of the Church of God (M&A) Mawlai Motsyiar here on Friday.
The author while giving a gist about the book said that this book carries three important areas – new and vital information on the history of the Church of God (M&A) not only in Meghalaya but in the rest of India; 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. O. L. Snaitang while speaking at the occasion as the chief remarked that God has blessed the Church by calling out people such as Rev Nongpluh to write a book that he sees as a blessing to the believers of the Church as well of 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 also said that 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 a heart that is passionate about God’s mission.
Meanwhile, Rev Sohkhia expressed his joy at the opportunity that was presented to him to release a book of a man that he once led to Christ and who has been under his guidance for a long time. “It is my privilege to be releasing the book and hope that it will become a blessing and an inspiration to many who will read it”, he said.
Prof. Mary Ann Hawkins, who is Rev. Dr. Nongpluh’s guide during his PhD work, remarked “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 persons and events in his search for historical truth. He has provided us with a rare look at the history of the Church of God in north-east India.”(SP News)
