Aptly termed “Miqlat” which is a Hebrew word meaning “shelter or
refuge”, the Miqlat Ministry came into being in 2004 as an outcome of
the celebration of women in the 21st Century during 2001 where Naga
Baptist Women came together and felt the need to pursue the social ills
of the society with particular emphasis on women.
As its homepage says, the Social Ministry under the Nagaland Baptist Church Council Women Department (NBCCWD) reaches out to the despised and the vulnerable girls and women of the society. The message of the Director of the Ministry, Asha Sanchu goes on to say that, “These women come under the category of sex workers, school drop-outs, sexually exploited and abused and women most vulnerable to infectious diseases. Miqlat envisions empowering these women through the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and restore them the dignity and honour of their womanhood in the likeness of Christ.”
True to its name, “Miqlat exists to be a voice for the voiceless, and to offer refuge and shelter to the broken-hearted mothers and daughters of our Naga society. Miqlat is there to listen to the brokenness of the broken women; stand at their side through prayer, counselling, and encouragement; to provide better alternatives in the best way possible; and thus give them a chance to live a better, hopeful, and dignified life.”
As such its vision statement has been “to share the love of Jesus to those who are living a life of shame, guilt and dejection” apart from imparting quality life by providing alternatives through various means and ways, helping them understand that life is not all about money and enabling them to see life through the eyes of God. It also endeavours to help them be aware of the transmittable diseases such as STDs including HIV/AIDS and bringing them to the knowledge of their Maker, besides strongly advocating against modern day slavery.
The Ministry is solely a faith-based venture running mostly through the support of churches, individuals, friends, and well-wishers and deals not only with the physical, social and emotional well being but also spiritual well being of the needy. With its growth in this aspect, the Miqlat Ministry also has a business set up focusing on “business as mission” with the view to train, empower and offer better alternatives to girls and women, thus enabling them greater prospects in life.
Along this line of enterprise, the products of the Ministry ranges from Greeting Cards for any occasion, Aloe Vera Soap, Candles: Designers, Lanterns, Regular, Tea Coasters, Handloom and Skill Ladies Bags, Mini Pillows with Satin Cover in several colours, Pot Holders, Wedding Favours: Candles and Bags, etc. The NBCCWD Miqlat Ministry stall was also one among the many other stalls at the recently held NBCC Platinum Jubilee Celebration and exhibited creativity and productivity of many skilled women behind the scene.
The exhibited works and products speaks volumes of the many activities that the Ministry undertakes in the form of Services such as Cafeteria, Counselling, Catering and Laundry, or Training on Candle-Making, Card-Making, Embroidery, Tailoring, Sequin and Knitting, Soap Making and other Programs such as Retreats, Seminars, Bible Studies, Outreach and several other activities.
As its Mission Statement reads “To reach out, to touch, to share, to embrace, to empower and to transform”, the Miqlat Ministry can indeed be seen as “Shelter in God’s Wings” as it marches forward to give Hope to people in need, especially women without hope. Such a place is an assurance that the greater cause of humanity still exists and that lives can be altered for better, with a leap of faith.
As its homepage says, the Social Ministry under the Nagaland Baptist Church Council Women Department (NBCCWD) reaches out to the despised and the vulnerable girls and women of the society. The message of the Director of the Ministry, Asha Sanchu goes on to say that, “These women come under the category of sex workers, school drop-outs, sexually exploited and abused and women most vulnerable to infectious diseases. Miqlat envisions empowering these women through the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and restore them the dignity and honour of their womanhood in the likeness of Christ.”
True to its name, “Miqlat exists to be a voice for the voiceless, and to offer refuge and shelter to the broken-hearted mothers and daughters of our Naga society. Miqlat is there to listen to the brokenness of the broken women; stand at their side through prayer, counselling, and encouragement; to provide better alternatives in the best way possible; and thus give them a chance to live a better, hopeful, and dignified life.”
As such its vision statement has been “to share the love of Jesus to those who are living a life of shame, guilt and dejection” apart from imparting quality life by providing alternatives through various means and ways, helping them understand that life is not all about money and enabling them to see life through the eyes of God. It also endeavours to help them be aware of the transmittable diseases such as STDs including HIV/AIDS and bringing them to the knowledge of their Maker, besides strongly advocating against modern day slavery.
The Ministry is solely a faith-based venture running mostly through the support of churches, individuals, friends, and well-wishers and deals not only with the physical, social and emotional well being but also spiritual well being of the needy. With its growth in this aspect, the Miqlat Ministry also has a business set up focusing on “business as mission” with the view to train, empower and offer better alternatives to girls and women, thus enabling them greater prospects in life.
Along this line of enterprise, the products of the Ministry ranges from Greeting Cards for any occasion, Aloe Vera Soap, Candles: Designers, Lanterns, Regular, Tea Coasters, Handloom and Skill Ladies Bags, Mini Pillows with Satin Cover in several colours, Pot Holders, Wedding Favours: Candles and Bags, etc. The NBCCWD Miqlat Ministry stall was also one among the many other stalls at the recently held NBCC Platinum Jubilee Celebration and exhibited creativity and productivity of many skilled women behind the scene.
The exhibited works and products speaks volumes of the many activities that the Ministry undertakes in the form of Services such as Cafeteria, Counselling, Catering and Laundry, or Training on Candle-Making, Card-Making, Embroidery, Tailoring, Sequin and Knitting, Soap Making and other Programs such as Retreats, Seminars, Bible Studies, Outreach and several other activities.
As its Mission Statement reads “To reach out, to touch, to share, to embrace, to empower and to transform”, the Miqlat Ministry can indeed be seen as “Shelter in God’s Wings” as it marches forward to give Hope to people in need, especially women without hope. Such a place is an assurance that the greater cause of humanity still exists and that lives can be altered for better, with a leap of faith.
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