Church members may have several motivations to get early to church every week, but for members of the Hagen Park Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mount Hagen, Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea (PNG), the motivation to flock to the sanctuary every Saturday (Sabbath) by 8:00 a.m. is simple.

“We want to find a place to sit,” they say. “And everyone knows that if you want to participate in worship inside, you have to get here early.”

The ever-growing congregation recently finished a remodeling project. On May 2, General Conference president Ted N. C. Wilson, GC ministerial secretary Ramon Canals, and pastoral spouses and families ministry director Aurora Canals, among other church leaders, attended the dedication of the remodeled sanctuary and took part in the celebratory musical items and prayers.

Wilson, who is one of thousands of speakers currently leading evangelistic efforts across PNG, is preaching and lodging one hour away from Mount Hagen in Minj, Jiwaka. During his brief visit on May 2, he shared a meal with dozens of local and international speakers who are leading evangelistic meetings in the third most populous town in PNG.

Besides the rededication of the church sanctuary, church leaders led by Wilson inaugurated the adjoining Hagen Park Care Inn, an initiative of Adventist Possibility Ministries. As soon as the last furnishing details are complete, the center will open its doors to provide services to people suffering from various disabilities, local church pastor Richard Jacob explained.

“On the second floor, we are opening a shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence,” Jacob said. “Those women and their young children will be able to stay at the shelter until they find a way out.”

This outward-looking initiative might be one of the reasons the Park Hagen church continues to grow. It might also account for the faithfulness of its members. On May 4, two days after the inauguration, there’s standing room only inside the sanctuary as Sabbath School starts. Dozens of others sit outside in the sun or under nearby trees as they try to follow the proceedings.

Inside, the Sabbath School leader asks the crowd how many are first-time guests. More than a dozen people raise their hands. And worship is just starting.

“After an opening program, members are dedicated to study the Sabbath School lesson of the week,” Jacqueline Wari, PNG Union Mission communication director, said. “And that’s just the beginning. Then comes praise and worship, and a divine service. Then many stay to eat their lunches under the trees. And by 4:00 p.m., those who stay participate in another program that ends with a closing-of-the-Sabbath worship. Going to church is a full-day enterprise here.”