Papua New Guinea Adventists Mourn Loss of Leader

Central Papua Conference president Kove Tau died of cardiac arrest at the Port Moresby General Hospital in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG) Sunday, October 9, 2022. Tau, 59, was serving his second term as president of the conference when he died. Announcing his death, conference secretary Rex Koi described Tau as a “humble servant and God-fearing man” who had time for everyone. 

Koi also said Tau’s contributions to the conference and the PNG Union Mission would be remembered for a long time to come.

“We will never forget how loyal and professional he was with his work despite his health situation. We will all miss him more than words can express,” he said.

Tau is survived by his wife Judith, daughters Cassandrah and Calleeandrah, and grandson Taj. Tentative arrangements have been made for the funeral service to be held on Sunday, October 16 at Bautama, just outside Port Moresby. He will be buried at his home in Gavuone, Central province, next week. 

A Life Dedicated to Ministry

Tau was born October 6, 1963, in Gavuone village in Central province. He attended the Madana Adventist School from 1974 to 1977, where he was also baptized. He then attended the Mount Diamond Adventist Secondary School from 1978 to 1981.

After graduating with a diploma of theology studies at Sonoma Adventist College in 1987, he began full-time ministry as a church pastor in the North East Papua Mission (now Northern and Milne Bay Mission) for two years, from 1988 to 1989.

He served the Central Papua Mission as church pastor and associate director from 1990 to 1992. From 1993 to 1995 he served as the director of the Madana Laity Training school. Tau was then called to serve the Morobe Mission as a church pastor and department director from 1996 to 1999.

In 2000, he served the South West Papua Mission as mission secretary. In the following two years, he served the Sepik Mission as secretary before moving on to the New Britain New Ireland Mission, where he served in the same position from 2003 to 2005. He then returned to the Morobe Mission and served as president from 2006 to 2008.

Tau served the Bougainville Mission from 2009 to 2013 as its president. He also continued studies at the Pacific Adventist University from 2009 to 2010 and graduated with a degree in theology.

He was then called to the Central Papua Conference, where he served as president from 2014 until his death.

The original version of this story was posted on Adventist Record.