Pre-evangelism Event Results in Baptisms, Commitments in Papua New Guinea

A pre-evangelism week for the upcoming Papua New Guinea for Christ (PNG for Christ) series held recently in Gogo, in the Elimbari district of the Eastern Highlands Simbu Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, attracted more than 100 attendees each night, including members from other faiths, and culminated in baptisms and a series of commitments.

Themed “Bible i Tok” (“Bible Says”), the event featured Sam Kepa Waine, district pastoral director of Elimbari, as the evening guest speaker. Waine focused on clarifying biblical truths and addressing common misunderstandings. He emphasized the importance of personal faith, urging attendees to believe in what is written in the Bible.

Morning sessions were led by Kiagi Abel, who conducted a 10 Days of Prayer program, drawing participation from both church members and the wider community.

On Saturday (Sabbath), Paul Lipu, Ministerial Association director of the Eastern Highlands Simbu Mission, led the worship service, which culminated in the baptism of a pastor from another Christian faith and his wife, who had attended the Adventist church for the previous seven Sabbaths.

As a result of the appeals made during the week-long program, many expressed their wish to be baptized. Four members from other churches made a public commitment to Bible truth during the week, and another 70 individuals answered an appeal after the baptism on Sabbath. The next baptisms are expected to take place at the upcoming PNG for Christ evangelistic series.

About PNG for Christ

PNG for Christ, dubbed “A mission experience of a lifetime,” is an evangelistic campaign set to take place in Papua New Guinea in late April and May. Leaders have called PNG for Christ “a unique opportunity to bring people closer to Jesus.” This ambitious initiative will span the entire country, encompassing around 2,000 evangelistic sites. Several leaders from the Adventist Church’s General Conference (GC) and other world church divisions are expected to participate as venue speakers, leaders said, including GC president Ted N. C. Wilson.

For two weeks, from April 26 to May 12, nightly meetings will be conducted to engage and inspire individuals in their spiritual journey, regional church leaders reported. While a significant number of preachers will be locals, there is a pressing need for additional volunteer speakers from Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific islands, they said.

Organizers on the ground said they are looking not only for pastors and evangelists but for anyone passionate about sharing the message of Christ. Training and resources will be provided to equip all participants, they said.

“Our primary goal is to bring people to the Lord — that is what PNG for Christ is all about,” Gary Webster, director of the Institute of Public Evangelism at the South Pacific Division of the Adventist Church, said. “We need at least three hundred preachers from across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific islands. It’s going to be an extraordinary and uplifting experience, and I would encourage anyone interested to embrace this opportunity.”

In late 2023, Webster visited Goroka in PNG to provide training to some of the preachers who will be actively involved in the evangelistic endeavor.

“The Spirit is moving in PNG, and we know that countless souls will be brought to the kingdom through this event,” Webster said. “So don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to something truly special in bringing people closer to Jesus.”

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