Displaying items by tag: Papua New Guinea

CBN News has reported that over 300,000 people have reportedly been baptised in Papua New Guinea, marking a significant spiritual event. The mass baptisms occurred during the PNG for Christ campaign, a collaborative effort by several organisations. Pastor Ted Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist world church, and his wife, Nancy, led daily events during the two-week campaign. He has recently confirmed that the number of baptisms has surpassed 300,000. Wilson attributed this to the 'Holy Spirit power being poured out on Papua New Guinea’. The campaign saw dramatic changes, including drug lords destroying their marijuana crops and being baptised, prisoners converting, entire villages embracing Adventism, and miraculous healings. Pastor Miller Kuso, PNG United Mission’s personal ministry director, coordinated the events, visiting numerous sites across the country. Prayers are requested for the newly baptised individuals and the leaders who are guiding them in their new faith.

Five years after Bougainville’s decisive vote for independence from Papua New Guinea (PNG), frustrations are growing due to the stalled political process. Over 97% of the autonomous region’s approximately 300,000 residents voted for independence in a 2019 referendum. However, the change requires ratification by PNG’s parliament, which has not yet occurred. Talks broke down last year over disagreements on the ratification process; Bougainville wants a simple majority vote, while PNG insists on a two-thirds majority. Both parties have agreed on an international moderator, but progress remains slow. Bougainville’s president Ishmael Toroama is pressing PNG to fulfil its promises, as residents express deep frustration over the delays. Bougainville has long sought independence, especially following protests against the environmental and social impacts of a copper mine and the subsequent civil war from 1989 to 1998. A 2001 peace agreement led to autonomous governance in 2005 and then to the referendum.

Following the devastating landslides in Papua New Guinea on 24 May, rescuers have been reaching the hard-to-access northern Enga region, but the chances of finding survivors are now slim. Residents are using shovels and bare hands to search through the unstable landslide area, which continues to pose danger as more rocks and debris fall. A state of emergency has been declared for the affected area. Authorities fear a second landslide and potential disease outbreak due to trapped water and decomposing bodies. Continued debris movement could further devastate nearby communities. Military checkpoints and evacuation efforts are under way, but aid has been slow due to remote terrain and tribal unrest. Over two thousand people are said to have been buried in the landslide, though estimates vary; accurate death tolls are difficult due to outdated census data and incomplete records. Thousands of local people have been ordered to evacuate.

Violence erupted in PNG's capital, Port Moresby, on 10 January, after police went on strike due to pay issues. The governor, as looting and fires engulfed the city, called the situation unprecedented in the country's history. The police commissioner mentioned plans to deploy additional officers from regional areas and relocate defence forces to support the city’s overwhelmed police presence. Firefighters faced threats while trying to control the blazes, and the parliament's guard house was reportedly set on fire by protesters. The police strike began when officers discovered reductions in their pay. The government has promised to rectify any administrative errors causing these pay discrepancies. PNG has been grappling with rising violent crime rates in recent years. The prime minister has said that increasing security would help to attract foreign investment in PNG’s growing gold and copper resources sector.

Over 24 people were killed and 3,000 displaced this month as the nation battled a surge of election violence in the runup to choosing the next prime minister: either incumbent James Marape or the PM who preceded him, Peter O’Neill. Mr Marape promises to make Papua New Guinea ‘the richest black Christian nation on earth’, while Mr O’Neill’s campaign centres on healthcare, education and job creation. The government funds church programmes that provide health and education services through the Church-State Partnership Programme. Pray for peace to come to the island and for an end to politically-motivated violence. Pray for Christianity to take deep root on the island without being diluted and mixed with traditional and animist beliefs. Pray for God to help His Church overcome the attacks from those who practise sorcery and witchcraft. Pray that people would gain a true understanding of what it means to follow Christ.

Archbishop Allan Migi, the Anglican primate in PNG, has condemned the increasing number of alleged witches and sorcerers being killed. He said killing a child suspected of witchcraft is strongly opposed to the way of Christ; it is child abuse in its worst form. The practice of sorcery and witchcraft is ‘an evil thing’, as is ‘the killing of a suspect or taking somebody’s life’. Recently the UN high commissioner for human rights, visiting the country, called for ‘decisive government action’ to tackle the endemic gender-based violence and horrific attacks against those accused of sorcery. The new police minister said, ‘It is not in our history to burn or stone people for sorcery. In the last year or so it has accelerated.’ There is now a police task force to tackle attacks on suspected witches.

Monday: at a missions course in Papua New Guinea, participants came face-to-face with previously unknown realities. Pray for hearts challenged to missions. Tuesday: ‘Bloom where you are planted.’ Pray for Christians to reflect the love of God to all with whom they come in contact, wherever God places them. Wednesday: more than just language learning. ‘God uses my language learning experience to help me understand my walk with Him better.’ Pray for missionaries’ spiritual walk with God. Thursday: the first Amdu Literacy Class graduation. ‘Praise the Lord! A milestone happening here in Amdu! Pray for the team to move forward with exact translation, leading to the future clear sharing of God’s truth.’ Friday: death brings new life. At a funeral people who had never heard the gospel realised they were missing something and expressed an interest in Biblical truths. Pray for these new inquirers.

Jason and Nisae Williamson are planting a church among the Iski people group in Papua New Guinea. Anka, an elderly man, was sent to their village so that he could hear the good news, as the believers in his family were concerned about his age and declining health. Anka is at least 80 with a palpable fear of death. Local religious leaders said he had to earn his way to heaven, and he needed to worship and appease the spirits. The Williamsons prayed that Anka would receive Jesus before he died. After four months of morning Bible study, Anka was overflowing with joy: ‘Now I know that Jesus paid for my sins and I’m a child of God. I do not fear death any more, I will die and be with God!’ He had been born again and was filled with the Spirit.

People in PNG travel many miles to study Bible history, culture, and grammar. They learn how to translate scripture into their own language so that their people can see the full, precise beauty of God’s Word. Each translator has a unique story of how God led them into this important work. Kika shared a little of her testimony: ‘I had been teaching children’s ministry for 27 years, and didn’t expect God to call me to something new. Then I dreamt that the sky opened and two people came down from heaven. I could feel the presence of God upon me, it was a very holy moment.’ The next year she joined the Bible translation team. ‘The work is hard but I am thankful to God for the opportunity to serve my people through Bible translation. I know that the Lord is with me, and I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.’

As Papua New Guinea’s official election campaign period started, violence dominated the news. Three people were killed and more injured, following fights between supporters of two candidates. Shops, schools and businesses are shut in Kimbe. Things are very tense. The electoral commission needs another $US25 million for polling officials' allowances. The People's National Congress Party is confident it will win in two months’ time. A Christian in PNG writes, ‘Please stand with us in prayer for our elections. We are praying that no unrighteous leader will rise up again to lead our nation, and for God to intervene and establish a Kingdom-model nation.’ See also and