The year 2016 was a monumental marker, one that reverberates notes of celebration of God’s faithfulness in the past and his promises for the future. Yes, we celebrated our 25th Anniversary on November 25! It was a time of reasserting our identity in Jesus Christ and to live it out in all its vibrancy both now and for posterity. Be that as it may, after 25 years, we wonder what do people imagine when they think of Oriental Theological Seminary. We assume, there could be multiple responses; some may even incline towards critical bent. Notwithstanding, we want people to think of us as an institution having the vision to nurture Christian leaders towards intellectual proficiency, theological coherence, and practical efficiency, and all that in the lordship of Jesus Christ. Rightly so, purposefully, we are committed to equipping students with academic and professional skills while instilling in them a deep conviction of who they are in the power of the Spirit as they aspire to minister in our complex and fluid world. Our marque has always been transformed to transform! “Transformation,” in every sense of the word, encompasses the process of “Sowing, Nurturing, and Flourishing,” which was aptly our motif for the 25th Anniversary. To be candid, within the last quarter of our existence, we have failed with some, but assuredly, we have been predominantly successful. Each new mind and heart brought within our perimeter has consciously gone through a malleable exercise. The testimonies of our 400 plus strong alumni exhibit confidence in what we do at OTS under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

In commemoration of our anniversary, we had series of events in 2016. The saying is true, celebration always begins at home. Anniversary Youth Spring Fiesta was a three-day packed program from March 4-6, involving eight of our neighboring villages, viz. Bade, Kiyeto, Murise, Tsitrongse, Diezephe, Singrijan, and Seluophe. The exercise was a bounding experience through sports and music. Kiyeto Football Club and Diezephe Volley team took the trophies. A musical concert on the final night electrified OTS campus and led the community into meaningful worship through the participations from Bade Choir, Aoyimti Baptist Church Band, and Gloria Patri.

The event, we want to believe, did forged peace and goodwill among our neighbors, who otherwise would not have the platform to do so. Our second event was Nagaland-Manipur Peace Activists’ Meet, jointly sponsored by North Eastern Social Research and Peace Channel at Life Spring Corner from May 13-14. Several local conflicts and common interests were deliberated, and consequently a working committee was formed. Peace work has been part and parcel of OTS, and the occasion strengthened our commitment and it was a meaningful recognition of our Principal Rev. Dr. Wati Aier’s passion and work for many years. Our third event was Anniversary Symposium with Pastors on the theme “Prophetic Imagination in Pastoral Ministry,” with attendees from churches in and around Dimapur. Dr. Wati’s presentation on the theme aptly encapsulates his life-long conviction, i.e., the need for the Naga Church to be truly the “salt” and “light”, the transformative agent in our world. On November 19, 2016, the community Celebrated the Lives and Legacies of the Land Donors from Bade Village, followed by a celebratory feast with the entire village. In their memories, a monolith (sponsored by the villagers) was erected at the campus. Rev. Dr. V. K. Nuh, the first Chair, Board of Trustees unveiled the rock.

The 25th Anniversary Gala Celebration finally culminated on November 25, 2016. It was a daylong event beginning with the Alumni Get-Together. Dr. James Kalong, Academic Dean, chaired the meeting and Dr. Wati spoke on the theme, “Retrospect and Prospect.” Our morning session with our alumni dwelled on the shared vision of OTS mission. In the afternoon, the foundation stone for construction of the Baptist Research Center (a project of NBCC) was laid with a word and prayer from the General Secretary, NBCC, Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho. The final celebration followed, beginning with greetings from Rev. Dr. Nuh and Rev. Vilodi Sakhrie, the present Chair. Scores of ex post facto components abound the speeches from members of Bade Village community, including the pastor, women leader, and one of the land donors. A segment of the afternoon was the laudation led by Dr. Joshua Lorin, the Convener of the Anniversary committee, who gave a quick recapitulation of the vision of NBCC and Dr. Wati in establishing OTS and the vision that has brought us thus far. All the members of the Board of Trustees, past and present, as well as General Secretaries of NBCC were given commendations in acknowledgement of their contribution towards OTS ministry. Rev. Dr. Keyho brought a stirring speech on the anniversary theme, “Sowing, Nurturing, and Flourishing.” Finally, Dr. Wati gave an impassioned call entitled, “On to the Future.” Worship music led by the Seminary choir and Bade Baptist Church choir heightened the ambience to spirited degree.

A note of thanks is appropriate to end the report on our 25th Anniversary Celebration. From the depth of our heart, the OTS community would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to churches, institutions, individuals who supported us in prayers and through financial gifts and kinds; and to those who joined us during our yearlong celebration. You have truly made our fraternity a burgeoning one and we are much richer with you in our circle. May God get all the glory, laud, and honor!