The new General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of India is the Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, a member of the Mizoram Presbyterian Church Synod of northeastern India.  Rev. Gaikwad was installed in his new position on December 9.

Mr. Gaikwad has been serving in ordained ministry for 33 years, most recently as the Principal of the Aizawl Theological College. He is a noted preacher, teacher and writer and a frequent speaker at church events.  His service extends beyond the school and denomination to participation in ecumenical and international committees.  As principal of the college he also had the responsibility of editing and publishing the Mizoram Journal of Theology.  His wife, Pi Zomuani Gaikwad, is also active in church work and is the first woman in Mizoram to hold a B.D. degree.  Her work has included chairing the Synod Women’s Fellowship and as president of the Women’s Assembly of the North-East India Christian Council.

Mr. Gaikwad’s term of office will include the centennial anniversary of the NCCI in 2014 and he will have much of the responsibility for planning that event.

The best coverage of the event seems to be from the NCCI press release and a story from Mizoram Synod.  There are several media reports, most echoing the official press release, like the one from the South Asia Mail .

Congratulations to the Rev. Dr. Gaikwad and best wishes and prayers for his work.