(7th July 1941 - 30th January 2009)

Our Inspiration

Rev Dr Neiliezhü Üsou

(7th July 1941 - 30th January 2009)

Rev Dr Neiliezhü Üsou was the second son of Lt. Putsolie Üsou, Gaun Bura of Nerhema Village. Born on 7th July 1941, he was inspired to become a missionary when he witnessed B I Anderson, an American missionary, preaching in his village. Anderson was accompanied by his wife and Kenneth Kerhuo, a fellow countryman. On 13th March 1953, he was baptized by Rev. Kevizelie. In pursuance of his commitment he studied theology (1960-64) from Eastern Theological College Jorhat, Assam, and Church Music (1964-65) at Leonard Theological College, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Finishing his studies he joined Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC) in 1966 and was granted a License in 1974. On 1st October 1978, he was installed as full-time Pastor of Ministers’ Hill Baptist Church (MHBC) Kohima. He was ordained on 20th December 1981 and commissioned as Senior Pastor on 12th October 2003 on completion of twenty-five years of continuous full-time pastor service.

The first Nagaland Government-approved music institute was established by him in Kohima in 1969. He researched Naga traditional music (1971-84) and published a booklet on it. An Elementary Music book was brought out by him which is used as the 6th subject in schools under the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE). He had the privilege to attend the 16th Baptist World Alliance (BWA) at Seoul, South Korea in 1990. A remarkable event he was blessed with during this trip was to be among the 370 ordained ministers from 149 countries worldwide participating in the BWA Congress mass baptism.

An outstanding achievement of his was the conversion and baptism of David Patrick Ward, a Naga Vigil prisoner of conscience from England on 12th March 1993 at Kohima District Jail. He held several noteworthy posts of ministry as a minister. He was President of All Nagaland Pastors’ Union (1994-99), President of Kohima Town Angami Baptist Council (1999-2001), and Chairman of Kohima Town Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship (1982, 1995-2004). He held the office of the Officiating Chaplain of the Royal British Legion Memorial Service from 1994 till he breathed his last.

He married Rüülhou-ü Sekhose, daughter of Late Rev Zhapuzhülie Sekhose. They are blessed with 7 children, 6 in-laws, and 9 grandchildren. He served MHBC in the capacity of Senior Pastor till he breathed his last on 30th January 2009.