Imphal, Feb 5 : The independent Church of India (ICI), General Head Quarter has begun a grand four-day Gospel Centenay Celebration (February 4 to 7) from today at Sielmat at Churachandpur.
Chief Minister O Ibobi and Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing will be the chief guest and the guest of honour respectively at tomorrow's function.
Prominent church leaders from abroad, such as USA, Wales (UK), Canada, South Korea, Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh are expected to attend the great celebrations, according to secretary of the Gospel Centenary Celebration Committee, Rev Lalneikhup Hmar.
About 20,000 or more people including delegates and church leaders and members from cities of India like Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Guwahati, etc.
and also from the North Eastern states like Mizoram, Assam, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya will also participate in the celebrations.
A press release of the Committee stated that the year 2010 is the 100th year of the coming of the Gospel to South Manipur for the Hmar tribe and other allied churches in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar.
The ICI, founded by Walkin R Roberts, is one of the leading churches in South Manipur, and had been existing as an indigenous church.