Every kid is special. Being born with disabilities does 
not limit the worth of a child and should not restrain
the child from enjoying access to equal opportunity to learn, grow and develop, which is every
child’s birthright. Tabitha Enabling Academy
(TEA), situated at Sepfiizou Colony, Kohima
and run by two OTS alumni, Vekutilu Vese
(Class of 2009) and Asanuo Seb (Class
of 2009) seeks to reach out to children
with special needs who are denied many
opportunities because of their condition.
From a humble and challenging beginning,
TEA now runs as a full-fledged school committed to
serve and develop the differently abled children to live a
wholesome life.
Showing acceptance by providing love and care to the
kids with special needs is at the heart of TEA. The aims
and objectives of TEA are: conscientizing the people that
children with special needs are capable of living a normal
to take criticism and turn them into positive thoughts. With the firm conviction that God has led him to this new and
yet exciting path, he went for specialized training in sports
ministry in 2010 by joining the International Sports Coalition for
a 10 day training at Kolkata. The training emphasized “whole
life coaching,” and learning “life’s values through sports,” all
encapsulated within the concept of discipleship. His commitment
caught the eye of his mentors leading them to recommend
him for more intensive training in
South Africa in 2012, and in Florida in
2015. He has become part of a global
Christian movement for helping young
people toward Christian living through
sports.
He has started GetthemGo Sports
International here in Nagaland. This
is a relatively recent venture and the
goal is to evangelize through sports. Dr. Lujian admits that life
has become more challenging with greater responsibilities that
come with ministry and parenthood. He said, “We go through
times of doubt and frustration because we fail to trust in God
for everything.” However, he joyfully exclaims: “There is nothing
sweeter than leading a person to Christ and to mentor him/her
over the years.” Vemuriyi Vadeo
Reaching out Through Sports: Ministry
Redefined: Dr. Viposa Lujian has always been
a sports lover. This passion was further nurtured during
his studies at OTS. Upon graduation, he served as a
youth pastor at Thizama where he encountered many
unchurched youth. Taking the initiative to reach out to
these youth, he began an inclusive youth ministry through
football. He recounts with a smile how he encountered
stiff opposition and even rejection
from those in leadership. But this
did not deter him from stepping
out of his comfort zone in order
to embrace the larger community,
many of whom never attend
church.Very soon young people
gathered at the playground,
numbering 70-80, aging from 12-18. This result finally
convinced the skeptics to accept the fact that church
ministry needs to take a more creative and intentional
path. Since then, Dr. Lujian has accepted this endeavor
as a special calling.
Although based at Thizama, Dr. Lujian actively interacts
with church leaders at Chakhabama, which is also his
native village, to begin a Sunday Football League. Much
joint effort went into organizing and managing the whole
affair comprising of different teams, one of which was
the young fathers’ team. The redemptive outcome of
the tournament was acknowledged in the confessions of
wine shop owners, who actually make the most profits
on Sundays, shared about a sharp decline when regular
customers failed to turn up. Along the way, he has learned
Dr. Lujian, Class of 2009, Facilitating a Session
Himpao Lam: On Mission Opportunities in
the Indo-Myanmar Border (an interview)
Pangernungba Kechu (PK): You joined Khiamniungan
Baptist Churches Association (KBCA) as the Youth Secretary in
2004 right after your graduation from OTS and is now the Church
and Mission Secretary of KBCA since 2014. How would you like
to describe the reality of Christians under KBCA?
life; providing equal opportunities for their development; providing
program for specific learning disabilities; dealing with challenges
such as speech or language impairments, mental retardation,
hearing and visual impairment, autism, and
down syndrome. Some of the facilities available
are physiotherapy, music, vocational training
such as craft making, occupational therapy/
daily living skills, personal hygiene, home based
education, spiritual education through learning
from the Bible, pictures and songs.
The hallmark of TEA is expressed in the striking
remark of one of the proprietors, “these children also need
Salvation,” a need so important but ignored among children
with special needs. Despites struggles and challenges, TEA has
come a long way and is contributing towards the life of these
kids, their parents and in turn towards the society. OTS is proud
to have produced alumni who have committed themselves to
such sacrificial service and ministry.
Kesolenuo Soukhrie
