Nagaland senior pastor Robert Kikon of Chumoukedima church has resigned in response to accusations of molestation that have made the rounds on social media
Amidst continuous examination and community concern, the board of “Father’s House Church,” situated at 7th Mile, Chümoukedima, sought his resignation.
Pastor Robert Kikon resigns from Father’s House Church, Nagaland amidst molestation and assault reports
The church board officially informed the senior pastor that they would immediately cut off any ministry and official relations with him. The board demanded that he step down from his role as senior minister and church member, emphasizing that he was no longer permitted to use the church’s name outside of its walls.
Thought this was Robert Kikon for a moment https://t.co/YWJIa3dYkF
— CowBoy (@taylortetseo) October 3, 2024
The letter stated, “We have informed them of your immoral activities and requested the Asia Harvest Alliance aka AHA Council to take whatever action they deem necessary.” In the letter, the board expressed their willingness to assist the senior pastor in his rehabilitation, acknowledging that “the FHC board, along with the AHA Council, are ready to help you in whatever form necessary.”
It surfaced on September 19, Robert Kikon, the senior pastor at the centre of the scandal, was asked to resign from his position and give up his church membership. The church board mentioned “immoral activities” in a letter, but it did not go into detail about the precise accusations that prompted his departure.
Very unsettling how rapists can roam free in this country even after getting caught. The latest one- Robert Kikon, recently debarred pastor from Nagaland who is now “receiving counselling for healing and repentance”
— Merenla Imsong (@MerenlaImsong) October 3, 2024
The church has not made any public statements, nor have any of the claimed victims. The AHA said in a statement on Thursday that although Kikon is not a part of their organization at the moment and is therefore not under their control, they had previously dealt with him.
Since 2016, Robert Kikon has been a member of AHA since its founding. He took part in AHA conference activities from 2017 till 2019 with the members and leaders of his church.
The AHA explanation also stated that in 2017, certain AHA authorities were notified of information claiming that Kikon had been indiscreetly texting people about their gay inclinations. Taking these stories seriously, a number of leaders personally confronted him to address the accusations.
As the conference came to an end, AHA offered Kikon counselling support whenever he needed it. Kikon had previously battled with similar problems, but he claimed to have resolved them via repentance and counselling.
Further, the AHA stated that reports of similar behaviour surfaced again in 2019 and in response to these new allegations, AHA leaders organised a second meeting with Kikon, this time requesting the presence of leaders from Fathers’ House Church.
With regard to the recent allegations, the AHA maintained that it had no further contact with Kikon or the church until September 19 this year, when Fathers’ House Church reached out for guidance following the emergence of the new allegations.
“However, it was communicated that AHA would not deal directly with Robert Kikon, since he is not our member. We recommended that the church board must deal directly and officially with Robert Kikon, and AHA would provide counsel and advisory help to the church,” it said.
Officials of the Social Welfare department, currently investigating the matter, declined to comment on specifics, stating that the case is ongoing.
Don’t be appealed by famous Naga personalities such as Alobo Naga being silent about this matter. He is good friend of Robert Kikon and we always see them posting photos. It’s gonna be 2weeks this incident happened and I hope their silent speaks volumes.
— ayala_ch (@trailsofme) October 3, 2024
Given the delicate nature of the situation, AHA asked all involved parties to be patient and to hold off on making any provocative remarks while things work out.