Magazine Archive

Rev. Dr. RUOLNEIKHUM PAKHUONGTE, President Emeritus, has been promoted to Glory

Rev. Dr. Ruolneikhum Pakhuongte, fondly known as “Khuma” by his overseas friends around the world, passed away in a private hospital in Shillong on July 10, 2018. He was 84. Dr. Pakhuongte was kept in state for two days in Shillong for well-wishers to pay their respects, and later his casket was flown to Imphal, Manipur and then escorted by hundreds of people from the airport to his home in Sielmat, Churachandpur, Manipur where he was finally laid to rest in his compound on July 13, 2018. Dr. Pakhuongte was the President Emeritus of the Evangelical Free Church of India, a title given to him by the General Assembly for his faithful service as President of the denomination for 27 consecutive years between 1979-2006. He is survived by his wife of 53 years Laltanpui (Tanpui) and his four grown children his sons Rev. Lallienvel Pakhuongte (current President of the EFCI), Michael and Isaac, and daughter Sari Rothangpui, and their spouses and 14 grandchildren. He had an illustrious career in ministry being and trained at an early age when starting from 3rd grade, due to hardships, he was compelled to move to other localities or villages to attend school. He attended high school at St. Anthony’s School but finished High School from Pherzawl, Manipur, and then his Bachelor’s degree from St. Anthony’s College, Shillong. While he was awaiting the declaration of his exam results he worked briefly as a clerk in the Development Office under the Government. He then acquired his Master of Arts Degree in History from the then leading Indian university Allahabad University in Uttar Pradesh becoming one of the first Master of Arts degree holders from his Hmar tribe. He worked closely with his brother in law Dr. Rochunga Pudaite, and held such positions as Education Director, Principal of Sielmat Christian College, and in 1973 moved with his young family to Wheaton, Illinois, USA to work as Vice President for Overseas Missions of the Bibles For The World organization. However, as the church in India was growing and requiring a full-time President, the General Assembly in his absence voted for him to be the President. Answering the call of the Lord, he thus uprooted his family who was by then US Citizens and moved to Shillong where the EFCI has its General Headquarters. Not only did God use him to make immense contributions in the Christian circles, his efforts are greatly appreciated in various communities as well having been sent on peace missions during the unfortunate Hmar-Kuki war in 1959-60 risking his own life in the process, peace talks between the Indian government and the Mizo National Front in the 70s, and between the Hmar Peoples Convention-Mizoram Government in the 90s. A man of honesty, sincerity, humility, and compassion, and most of all an obedient servant of his Saviour Jesus Christ, Dr. Pakhuongte was held in high esteem by one and all and loved by them as well. He leaves a void that will be hard to fill. May God bless his family and ministry he has left behind on Earth. If you wish to send greetings to the family, you may do so at lalpakh@gmail.com or hqrs@efci.org.in

Commissioning of Newly Appointed Short Term Missionaries

Altogether 9 new Short Term Missionaries (including one who will serve as a Music Instructor) attended an orientation program organized for them by the Executive Committee at the Evangelical Center here in Shillong on July 29-30, 2016.

On Sunday, July 31, 2016, these new Missionaries were Commissioned in a grand program held at the EFCI Shillong Local Church in Demthring, Shillong in the special evening service officiated by Rev. Lallienvel Pakhuongte, President EFCI. The program was well attended by both the Shillong EFCI and Hebron EFCI local church congregations and other well-wishers. An exhortation speech was offered by the Moderator Rev. Dr. J. Huoplien Neitham, and a Gospel Message was delivered by the President. The EFCI Central Choir, the Shillong EFCI Youth Choir, and the Hebron EFCI Youth Choir and an all-girls Trio presented songs of Praise. The youth departments of both Shillong and Hebron offered the missionaries gifts as well. (For names and postings of these missionaries, kindly contact the Secretary for Missions)

The Seongsil Hebron EFCI Church (Umrangso) dedicated

Rev. Lalbiektluong (President) and Rev. Lallienvel Pakhuongte (Vice President) accompanied Pastor Kim and his 5-member team to Umrangso, in Assam for the dedication of the newly constructed EFCI church christened the Seongsil Hebron EFCI Church on October 7, 2013. Seongsil is a Korean word meaning Fruit of the Spirit. The South Korean friends are from the Seongsil Church and who contributed generously to build this beautiful church for God’s glory.

NEW Probationary Pastors

The Pastoral Committee examined and interviewed prospective candidates on October 17, 2013 and six were selected. With our congratulations, the new EFCI Probationary Pastors are: Elson J. Thiek, Hanania Lalringngheta, Jonathan Varte, Lalchawisanga Darlong, Lienzamang Gangte, and Ralsunthang Hmar.

IFFEC President’s Greetings on EFCI’s International Day

Greetings from the IFFEC President

on the occasion of the EFCI’s “International Day”

August 16, 2013

On behalf of the member federations, federation leaders, and churches of the International Federation of Free Evangelical Churches, we give our warm greetings to all of our brothers and sisters of the Evangelical Free Church of India as you celebrate this day in which your federation became a member of IFFEC.

We thank God for the advance of God’s Kingdom work through your faithful witness in word and deed to the Good News of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We thank God for all the ways in which people in India are coming to know Jesus Christ and growing deeply in Christ through your faithful discipleship. And we thank God that you as a body are committed to working together in faithful community with federations from the Free Church heritage all around the world. The Apostle Paul constantly encouraged the churches he had planted to celebrate and to be encouraged by the work of God in churches all around the world. As Paul reminded the church in Colossi, in the same way the Gospel is growing and bearing fruit throughout the whole world. Col. 1:6

We thank God for our partnership with you through the International Federation of Free Evangelical Churches. We pray for the Evangelical Free Church of India a time of fruitful harvest that will glorify our Lord Jesus Christ even as we serve in a partnership that spans God’s world.

Yours in Christ,

Donn Engebretson

President

International Federation of Free Evangelical Churches

ALL EFCI PASTORS SEMINAR 2013

Using the theme Prepared for Every Good Works, the EFCI Pastors Seminar was successfully held at the General Headquarters in Shillong, Meghalaya from August 5-9, 2013. Altogether 72 pastors were able to come from various parts of India. It was a wonderful time for learning more about oneself, worship, fellowship, praying for one another, and catching up on each others’ lives. We thank God who provided the way and who was with us throughout the blessed time together.

The topics discussed were:

1. Church Administration: Rev. Lalbiektluong, President

2. Personal Development for Ministry: Rev. Lallienvel Pakhuongte, Vice President

3. Evangelism: Rev. Zoramsiem Nungate, Secretary Evangelism

4. Biblical Doctrine on Eschatology: Rev. C. Kawldinglien Joute, Secretary Finance

5. Homiletics and the Charismatic Movement: Rev. H. Manga Khongsai, Regional Secretary

6. Church Finance- Elder Buongneikung Buongpui, Accounts Officer.

Young Visitors from South Korea

One of our four EFCI churches in Vairengte town in northern Mizoram named the Seongsil IOC EFCI Church was recently blessed by the visit in early August this year by 35 young people (13 boys and 22 girls in the age group between 18-30 years) from the Seongsil Church in Seoul, South Korea. These young guests had come to visit our church which had been constructed with the immense help from their home church in Korean. This is where the name Seongsil comes from.

The large size of the group and also perhaps the keen interest in Korean culture in Mizoram brought hundreds of people out into the streets to greet them. A welcome reception was organized at the EFCI Chhimveng Church in Vairengte where hundreds of people turned up to welcome them. It was a surprising and wonderful experience for the guests.

The Vairengte leg of their India Vision Tour was for two days. Rev. David R. Mihriemate, our Presbytery Superintendent there reported that they had a wonderful and blessed time together, and the guests, too, enjoyed their stay despite only being able to be provided simple meals and accommodations in this rural area, and that it was a joy to see many youths from different denominations turn up as well to have fellowship with the visitors.

The highlights of their activities included Music and art education, Vision lectures, Self-esteem program, Bible study, and Evening worship with wonderful times of Praise and worship led by the Korean team.

It is a wonderful blessing from God to have such guests who encourage us immensely.

Evangel Recovery Center

A Rehabilitation and Counseling project of the Evangelical Free Church of India

North-east India shares its borders with Myanmar and is a trade route of illicit drugs. It is also near the golden triangle of large scale trade in heroin and similar drugs. As a result, thousands of young people, both male and female, are addicted to drugs or are abusing pharmaceutical drugs and are unable to give up without drastic intervention. Parents are unable to control their suffering drug addicted children. Some have even asked the police to imprison their children so that they might at least be drug-free for some time.

The Evangelical Free Church of India’s Social Development wing Community Care Ministry India was established so that the Church could also contribute to the Holistic development of the society. The opening of the first Evangel Recovery Center (ERC) at a remote village identified for this project where drug addicts and alcoholics can be confined within the property of the ERC.

EFCI Pastors to serve on rotation: While wards are at the Center, they will be counseled and be engaged in evangelistic programs led by EFCI pastors who will take turns on monthly or bi-monthly basis to serve here and bring inmates to be in a position to commit their lives to Christ and be given hope which they will not have otherwise.

Land: A 5-acre plot of hilly land has been offered free of cost by the villagers.

Small Fee: A nominal small monthly fee will be charged to the inmate’s family for meals and other minimal supply costs. This expenditure will be very small indeed in comparison to problems caused at home and to feed their addiction.

Construction: Our greatest and urgent need right now is the construction of the dorms and other sections of the facility.

No Electricity: We also will require solar panels and batteries as government-supplied electricity is not yet readily available there.

Vocational Training: Inmates will learn to adapt to a drug alcohol-free lives, be engaged in vocational works such as carpentry, masonry, bamboo works, black smithy, etc., so that they will have developed some skills for some gainful employment afterwards.

We need your help through PRAYERS, DONATIONS, and even YOUR MANUAL LABOUR as work teams.

Please ask God how you can help- as a Church, Youth Groups, Sunday Schools class, or personally. Be that helping hand to rescue precious lives from being ruined forever!

Examples of ways you can give:

Bricks
Bags of Cement
Aluminium roofing sheets

For further information, please contact:

The President

Evangelical Free Church of India

General Headquarters
Demthring, P.O. Madanriting,
Shillong, Meghalaya 793021, INDIA

E-mail: hqrs@efci.org.in

Evangel Mission Center

Pillankatta, Ri Bhoi District, Meghalaya (near Guwahati, Assam)

The burden the Lord has placed upon the Evangelical Free Church of India is to spread the Good News of Salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord to the millions of people who are still in the dark. With the setting up of the Evangel Mission Center, it is our prayer that God will use this facility for various purposes.

Newly inaugurated project of EFCI.
Located strategically and conveniently about just 30 minutes from the Guwahati Airport, 7 km from Guwahati city, and 22 km from the Guwahati Railway Station. Guwahati is the biggest city in northeast India and the gateway to the rest of India.
Features planned for the 3-storeyed building:
- Training Center for native missionaries
- Free Tuition classes and day care center for low income families in the neighbourhood
- Income-generating facilities to be self-supporting to cover operational costs
  - Multi-purpose Fellowship Hall for meetings, worship, and special evangelistic programs.
  - Guest Rooms : Single & Double Room, and a dormitory for paid guests offering safe and economical atmosphere for those going to Guwahati for various works such as medical treatments, catching their flights, trains, or buses to travel inter-state.
The multi-purpose hall christened the Evangel Fellowship Hall was inaugurated by Rev. Lal Pakhuongte, President EFCI on April 8, 2018. A generator has also been added for the convenience of parties that are interested in renting the facility for appropriate activities.

Assistance through Prayers and Contributions are urgently needed.

For further information or queries, please contact:

Evangelical Free Church of India
General Headquarters
Demthring, P.O. Madanriting,
Shillong, Meghalaya 793021, INDIA

E-mail: hqrs@efci.org.in
or, the President Phone: +91 94361 11892