"My Grandfather Was A Headhunter"

Professor Nchumbemo Shitio

As crazy as it seems, I have already arrived at my second Sunday in India since leaving the States. That said, I am going to use today's post to return to our Indian leader/pastor interview series. Today I am introducing professor Nchumbemo Shitio, a seminary lecturer from Nagaland. He is quick to point out that his name is difficult to pronounce, and so he simply goes by Shitio.

He has a special burden to return to his state and strengthen his people in the Lord by preaching, conducting seminars, and raising up Christian schools. His native state of Nagaland is home to an hard working people who seriously took up the evangelism of their own tribes. While the Nagas previously consisted of several tribes of fierce headhunters, including Shitio's grandfather, today by God's grace at least 95% of the people in the state claim Christianity as their religion.

However with Christian apathy, humanist philosophy and secularism on the rise in Nagaland, Shitio often stresses, "I feel like a Jonah running from where God wants me." "I should clean my own house before attempting to clean my neighbor's." His humble plea to the West is to remember the too often overlooked Christian states in their prayers and support.

The original interview was 35+ minutes, and it was painful to trim it down to fit Youtube's ten minute time constraint. So sadly, for brevity's sake I left out some important points. I will be posting them in either video or audio form (maybe both) in the near future.

Questions treated in this condensed version of the interview;

1.) Tell us about yourself, how you came into the ministry, and what you are doing now.

2.) What are the greatest lessons God has taught you in the last year?

3.) What is the main motive for your ministry?

4.) Is there anything on your heart that you like to share with the church in the West?



The full list of questions asked in the original interview:

1.) What has the Lord done in your life?

2.) What are the greatest lessons you have learned?

3.) How have you observed Christ building his church in India?

4.) What is your greatest motivation for ministry?

5.) What is your vision for ministry?

6.) What are the main dangers facing the Indian church from without and within?

7.) How does an Indian evangelist reach his people with the gospel?

8.) Can you give me an example of a typical gospel proclamation in a village, street corner or city?

9.) What are you reading these days and have you learned anything important for your life?

10.) Do you have any special goals for growth this year?

11.) Is there anything on your heart that you would especially like to share with the church in the West?