Like all the other NCF Units, NCF Delhi started with the initiative and leadership of students in the various campuses of Delhi. Born in 1975, NCF Delhi continued under student leadership until around 1980 when the then Executive members wrote to NBCC requesting for a full time worker to help the Fellowship. It was in 1986 that for the first time a full time Chaplain, Rev. Veprari Epao was commissioned to NCF Delhi with financial sponsorship by the Keltomi Baptist Church. After a little over a year Rev. Epao was replaced by Rev. Thanglo Kath. He was commissioned in 1988 but after a year returned to Nagaland. For several years there was no Chaplain.
Then the 3rd Chaplain, Rev. Dr. Ricky Medom was commissioned by NBCC/NMM in Keltomi Village. He and his family joined the ministry of NCF Delhi in February 1992. Thus far NCF was functioning as a student fellowship. The services were held every other Sunday afternoon and would close down in Summer and Winter following the Calendar year. After joining and observing the ministry for some time, the Chaplain in consultation with the Executive decided to turn the ministry function as a Local Church rather than just a student fellowship. The Service timing was changed from 3PM every other Sunday to 10AM every Sunday and would function throughout the year. Soon a yearly Ministry Calendar and Budget were implemented.
For many years, NCF Delhi struggled both financially as well as for lack of direction and communication from NMM, the parent body. It was discovered that all the other NCF Units were also suffering from the same lack of guidance and supervision. NCF Delhi took the initiative of networking with the other units and soon better communication and networking began. In 1997, with the permission and blessing of NMM, all the NCF Units gathered in Delhi and had a 3 day Conference to see how we can help each other. The following year another All India NCF Conference was held in Pune with great success. NMM sent an official representative and the NCF units were assured that there would be better coordination and communication henceforth. Unfortunately nothing materialized from that promise. So the following year, another Conference was held in Calcutta NCF. This networking was working out well until we were discouraged into dis-continuing from 2000 due to some negative response from NMM/NBCC.
However, by this time, all the NCF units had better working dynamics and could go on with the ministry. NCF Delhi continued to mentor the others through regular visits by the Chaplain as well as participating in the Annual Camps. It is with a sense of grateful heart that NCF Delhi could give leadership and purpose to all the other Units during the formative years and observe them now functioning efficiently and independently.
The Chaplain of NCF Delhi had been sponsored by the Kiltomi Baptist Church since the commissioning of the first Chaplain in 1986. However, in 1996 a situation arose wherein the Sponsoring Church Kiltomi Baptist informed that they can no longer give financial support to the Chaplain after 1996 as per the directives of the SBAK Zunheboto their parent body. This was also communicated to us by NMM.
So NCF wrote to NMM requesting for a recommissioning since the financial Support would end in 1996. But there was no response from them and NCF was in a dilemma as the financial support stopped. A temporary reprieve came when the Baptist Mission Church, Kohima stepped in to support the Chaplain until a new arrangement could be made by NMM. For some years the ministry was also financially supported by Mr & Mrs Nibu Nagi. NCF Delhi is deeply grateful to them.
As there was no response from NMM NCF Delhi Executive decided to take on the full responsibility of supporting the Chaplain. This was duly communicated to NMM/NBCC during the NBCC Convention in Tening in 2000. From the year 2002, NCF Delhi has taken on the full responsibility of financially supporting their own Chaplain/Pastor.
For some years there was a growing lack of communication and misunderstandings cropping up between NMM/NBCC and NCF Delhi. So in September 2005, a delegation from NBCC and NMM came to Delhi to meet leaders of the NCF Delhi. A meeting was held at Nagaland House Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi between the delegation from Nagaland namely Rev. V. Tetseo, President NBCC, Rev. Kari Longchar, Convener Peace Committee, NBCC and Rev. Anjo Keikung, Director NMM and the NCF Delhi Executive members. The President NBCC graciously accepted some shortcomings in the functioning of NBCC/NMM towards NCF Delhi and sought for a reconciliation. He also mentioned that NBCC was going through some amendments in their Constitution to accommodate some fellowships directly into NBCC for a better functioning. Since then, NCF Delhi has been accepted as an Associate Member of NBCC.
Over the years NCF has experienced both blessings as well as struggles to continue the ministry smoothly. Some of the problems and struggles were man made. Others were felt to be from Satan as the ministry was growing and fulfilling the spiritual need of many of our youth in Delhi.
But true to the vision and aspirations that God has given to the leadership of NCF Delhi, over the years, it has thrived and grown from being just a tribal fellowship into a trans-tribal and even beyond that to an Int’l ministry! May God continue to guide us in this and to Him be the Glory!