Historical Background of the WSBAK
The Western Sümi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu (WSBAK) is one of the association under Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC). Through NBCC, WSBAK is association with Council of Baptist Church in North-East India (CBCNEI), National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) and Baptist World Alliance (BWA).
It is located at WSBAK Mission Centre, Aküvüto, Thahekhü Village Dimapur: Nagaland, India. At present, WSBAK has 178 affiliated Churches, which function in 9 area (Atokukujo) under Western Sümi i.e., Aghunaqa, Aqahuto, Ato, Laghilato, Khaghaboto, Kuhuboto, Niuland, Sakipheto & Upper Assam.
HISTORY
At the height of its glory, British Empire had cast its shadow over the whole Indian sub-continent, the land of Nagas was also annexed to the British Empire. At the dawn of 20th Century Kiyezü Zhimomi Head GB of Nikuto Village, Zünheboto District obtained the permit from Col. A. E. Woods ICS, the then DC of Kohima, and established the first Sümi village in 1911, in the Western Part of Nagaland.
The term Western Sema (now Sümi) was supposedly first coined by J. H. Hutton, the then D.C. of Kohima, Under J. H. Hutton administration from 1913-1927 issued migration permits and several Sümi villages were established. Again from 1937-1947 several Sümi villages were established, permit issued by C. R. Pawsey, the then D.C. of Kohima. Then in great wave of migration, more villages were established after independence of India and again many more villages were established following the statehood of Nagaland.
At the backdrop of this migration, the Western Sümi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu (WSBAK) had its formation in 1947 by few committed Pioneers with a goal in nurturing the nascent churches among these migrated Sümis in the Western part of Nagaland.
At its nascent stage of Christianity, despite dialect barrier it did not hold them back from associating themselves with other churches of the neighbouring tribes of Angamis and Kukis. In 1947 the Western Sema Baptist Churches joined the Sema Baptist Akukuhou Kuqhakulu (SBAK) at its annual session at Aichisaghemi village, Zünheboto District, Nagaland. Mr .Ghonito Zhimomi, the then a Travelling Pastor, was first appointed as a CareTaker for the Western Sema Baptist Churches. But due to physical distance of SBAK and Western Sümi, the Western Sümi initiated separate association in 1958. Soon, in 1962 SBAK recognized Western Sümi Baptist churches as SBAK branch. It was in October 1980, 44th Conference of Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) at Thahekhü Village, WSBAK was affiliated as the 16th Association of the NBCC. Subsequently WSBAK was affiliated to CBCNEI as its 51st Association in February 1981 at Nowgon, Assam.
During the first few decades the ministry works did not gain much progress due to some hurdles.
Firstly, there was no proper headquarter for the Western Sema Churches. The shifting of Centre from one village to another had adversely affected the progress of the Churches.
Secondly, the Western Sema area was covered with dense forests, hostile animals and rugged roads. This hindered the pioneers to cater to the needs of the nascent churches effectively.
Thirdly, the Indo-Naga political crisis had adversely affected the church ministry works among the Western Sumis.
However, in the midst of those insurmountable challenges extraordinary courage and dedication shown by Evangelist Ghonito Zhimomi, Rev. Luhoyi Jakha and Rev. Yetohe Kappo were remarkable. They nurtured the nascent Churches painstakingly and selflessly. Perhaps it requires such depths of hardship to create such heights of God-fearing character.
A new dawn of beginning was ushered with the coming of Rev. Hevukhu Achumi who joined the Western Sema Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu in 1980 first as Field Supervisor and then as Executive Secretary. Skillfully gifted with preaching and engulfed by Revival Fire, he zealously reached every nuke and corner of the Western Sümi villages with powerful preaching of repentance, forgiveness and new life in Christ. Great awakening took place and many lives were transformed. As a result there was tremendous church growth among the Western Sümis. Over the years under the leadership of Rev. Phughoto Sema and Rev. Vitoshe Swu, the Western Sümi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu has grown both in numbers and infrastructural development.
Today WSBAK has 178 member Churches with the Baptized members over 60,000 with its Headquarter at WSBAK Mission Centre Aküvüto, Thahekhü Village, Dimapur, Nagaland.
NAME LIST OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARIES
1) Evangelist Ghonito Zhimomi, CareTaker, 1947-1964
ii) Rev. Luhoyi Jakha, Corresponding Secretary, 1965-1971
iii) Evangelist Ghonito Zhimomi, Corresponding Secretary, 1972
iv) Rev. Luhoyi Jakha, Corresponding Secretary, 1973-1978
v) Rev. Luhoyi Jakha, Field Secretary, 1979-2nd May 1980
vi) Rev. Hevukhu Achumi, Field Secretary, 2nd May 1980 – Dec. 1980
vii) Rev. Hevukhu Achumi, Executive Secretary, Dec 1980-1987
viii) Mr. S. Vitoshe Swu, Executive Secretary (Incharge), 1988
ix) Rev. Hevukhu Achumi, Executive Secretary, 1989-1994
x) Rev. Phughoto Aye, Executive Secretary, 1995-2004
xi) Rev. S. Vitoshe Swu, Executive Secretary, 2005-2014
xii) Rev. Dr. Hevukhu Achumi, Executive Secretary, 2015-2019
xiii) Rev. Dr. Phughoto Sema, Executive Secretary, 2020- Till Date
NAME LIST OF EXECUTIVE CHAIRMEN
SEMA BAPTIST AKUKUHOU KUQHAKULU LOKA (SBAKL)
i) Mr. Hejeto Ayemi, Thahekhü BC 1963-73
ii) Mr. Yetohe Kappo, Kiyevi BC 1973-75
iii) Mr. Hokiqhe Chishi, SBC Dimapur 1976-78
iv) Mr. T. Howoto Hollo, Hovishe BC 1979-80
Western Sümi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu (WSBAK)
i) Mr. I. Izheho Zhimomi, Sakipheto BC 1981-92
ii) Mr. Hozheto Achumi, SBC Purana Bazar, 1993-95
iii) Mr. Lotohe Ayemi, Thahekhü BC, 1996-98
iv) Er. Kahoto Sumi, Toluvi BC, 1999-01
v) Mr. Yetoyi Achumi, Heqheshe BC, 2002-04
vi) Er. Picto Shohe, Thilixü BC, 2005-08
vii) Mr. Khehovi Yeptho, Thilixü VBC, 2009-14
viii) Er. Ahoto Zhimomi, Chekiye VBC, 2015 – 2022
ix) Mr. P. Kiyekhu Yeputhomi. Kuhuboto TBA, 2023- Till Date