New Delhi, May 5, 2010 : A Candle Lighting Ceremony will be held at the India Gate, Delhi on May 7 to mark the Gospel Centenary of Southern Manipur Christians.

"Hundred years ago, the Gospel was received by our forefathers in Southern Manipur. Hundred years after, the Gospel, having transcended through our forefathers has now enabled us to enjoy its fruits in Delhi. It is therefore, worth celebrating this hundredth year of the coming of the Gospel in Delhi,” said a note from the organizers.

It added, “The vision to organize together the 100th year of the coming of the Gospel in Southern Manipur by brethrens in the capital was first conceived by the Missions Board of the Evangelical Baptists Convention Church, Delhi.”

"This magnanimous sharing of vision had yielded its fruit and now, as much as eight Fellowships/Churches have come together under this common program.”

A two-day long Gospel Centenary celebration with the theme 'Let Your Light So Shine (Matthew 5:16)' will be held at EBCC Chapel, Dwarka and Dogra Hall, IIT Delhi.

In Churachandpur, meanwhile, celebrations are in full swing with the theme 'Darkness to Light (Isaiah 9:2)'. It is one of the eight districts of Southern Manipur where Aizawl based Welsh missionary Watkin R. Roberts preached the Gospel.

The arrival of Watkin Roberts and the three missionaries from the state of Mizoram namely, Savawma, Thangchhingpuia and Vanzika on May 7, 1910, had ushered the age of Gospel among the tribal groups in Southern Manipur.

Today the region of Southern Manipur has one of the highest concentrations of Christians in the whole of India. Many churches and denominations have sprung up over the years. (by John Malhotra, CT)