The History of Agape Museum

(Soul-winning counseling center)

Where there is no vision, the people perish…” Proverbs. 29:18

A picture demonstration of Christ’s suffering and promises, photos of the Holyland, pictures of Christian values and teachings shown to Bro. Lhunkhohao Haokip (Now Rev. Dr. Lhunkhohao Haokip) by Rev. S. Prim Vaiphei in the year 1988, greatly moved his heart and inspired him for a ministry with the help of visuals- a new strategy of soul winning in world mission. After much prayers and waiting on the Lord for a few years the divine inspiration and vision which burns and boils with spiritual zeal was finally unconcealed and made public in the year 1993. Thus, with fervent prayers and dignified efforts of many servants of God. Agape Christian Museum Centre (ACMC) was conceived. It then was certified and registered with the state Government of Manipur on the 14th June 1995 under section 7 (1) of the Manipur Societies Registration Act 1989 (Manipur Act Number. 1 of 1990) serial number 12 of 1995.

However, the official inauguration of the ACMC’s office was held on the 7th January 1997 at the Craft Development Centre near the gate of Bethany Christian College, wherein a room measuring 33×12 Ѕ feet (412 Ѕ square feet) was rented and used for the purpose of ACMC.

Soon enough, the ACMC’s exhibition show was shifted to Old Lambulane Baptist Church, Imphal Manipur from 31st August 1997 till 16th January 1998 when it was taken to Kangpokpi Mission Compound- then, ACMC was again brought back and open at Tuibuong, Opposite Petrol Pump on 7th January 1999 till date. ACMC has been registered with the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) 2002 under the Home Ministry, Govt. of India on 23rd July 2002 with Registration Number. 194160059 under section 6 (1) (a) Foreign Contribution Regulation Act 1976.

Annual conference cum 10th Anniversary of the ACMC was celebrated from January 19-21, 2007 at the Peace Ground, Tuibuong, Churachandpur. Dr. Garth Wagner, Canada laid the foundation stone of the ACMC building by faith according to Mark 11:24, “Therefore I say to you, whatsoever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (NKJV) and Hebrews 11:6,” But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him ” (NKJV) on 21st January 2007 (No land or place had been acquired for the construction of the building yet).

Through the gracious providence of the Almighty God, on 2nd August 2008, a plot of land measuring 2 acres had been bought for the construction of ACMC building. The site was dedicated by Elder Prof. L.S. Gangte Chairman, Building Committee, with much prayers, a project of the three-story building is proposed to be built at the site. (Now, this project is started).

ACMC, from its very inception, was carried on by faith. The founder and staff of ACMC work on by faith and continues the great work because of the faithfulness of the Lord.

‘The pioneering ministry of Rev. Dr. Lhunkhohao Haokip is a unique approach to the call of the Great Commission, ” Go ye and preach the Gospel” (Mark 16:15). Through his establishing of Agape Christian Museum Centre (ACMC), he has been able to minister the Gospel in a very special way, via visual displays, museum exhibits and soul-winning counseling’.

Dr. Lhunkhohao Haokip had been led by the Lord to sell 5 acres of wet paddy field in the year 1996, to begin ACMC ministry. As the ministry began to take shape and demands to minister the people in the trouble-torn Churachandpur District increases, the financial needs also began to rocket-high. Burdened with lose-souls, the founder began to felt the need to meet the financial requirements of the ministry and its staff as well. So, in the year 1998, the founder of the ministry again sold 4 acres of wet paddy field to keep the lamp of the ministry burning. To save the ministry from growing deem after the restoration of law and order in the District, through the lack of zeal and financial shortage, the founder also sell-off a plot of homestead land in K. Phaicham, Churachandpur for Rs. 37,600/- for use in the ACMC ministry. 

Being the only son of the chief of a small village called Hengkapkot in Henglep Sub-division Churachandpur District, Dr. Lhunkhohao Haokip inherited few acres of forest from his father. When the need arises for purchasing the site for the construction of ACMC building, he again sold-off few acres of trees/forest under his control for about Rs.85,000/- with the full consent of his old parents. Besides, the Lord moved the hearts of many believers to help purchase the site, Burdened for souls so much so that he was unable to withhold anything he posses or inherited from his ancestors, for the sake of the Gospel and the call to the ministry.