The first North East Consultation on World Mission held in Shillong

For the first time, North East Consultation on World Mission was held in Shillong last October that will herald in sending out more missionaries from the region to the world.

"The consultation, a milestone for mission in North East India was initiated by SIM International (Serving in Mission) coordinator for Emerging Missions and SIM East Asia office as a response to a huge need and potential in North East India," said the public statement made by SIM magazine.

For this consultation the North East Center for Researchand Training (NECTAR) was roped in as a partner as they have a strong network with the local churches.

During this consultation Rev. Dr Laiu Fachhai was inducted as the Director of SIM North East India, who revealed the vision of SIM North East India of recruiting 30 missionaries by year 2008 to the attendants of the conference.

Dr. Laiu, a native of Mizoram belonging to a Mara tribe was a missionary to Africa continent for the past 14 years serving in countries like Sudan, Ghana and South Africa. The Reverend is an ordained minister of Evangelical Church of Maraland (India) which has its headquarters at Siaha also known as Saiha in Southern most part of Mizoram.

According to SIM magazine, the director is also deeply disturbed and concerned by the decline of Christian morality evidenced by the prevalence of HIV/AIDS cases in the region.

Out of the eight states in North East India, three of them namely – Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur have a high proportion of Christians. The first three states have often been described as the 'Bible Belt of India' due to the presence of absolute majority of Christians in those states.