Isaac Wamakoru's story is one of unwavering faith and dedication. Born into an Assemblies of God background, his life took a pivotal turn during his primary school years when he encountered the Seventh-day Adventist faith through Christian Religious Education classes. A spark ignited within him, leading him to seek deeper understanding through Bible study with his teacher and eventually to the doors of Guarip Seventh-day Adventist Church.
As Isaac transitioned to high school, his commitment deepened. He joined the Adventist Students Association and was baptized in 2014. His path then led him to pursue studies in Tropical Agriculture at Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources & Environment at Vudal Campus.
Like many young people, Isaac grappled with the temptations of his age. He struggled with alcoholism until a health scare served as a wake-up call. He quit alcohol and reconnected with his faith, a decision that would shape the rest of his life.
Returning to his village after graduation, Isaac married his beloved Jeannel, and together they became parents to a beautiful daughter. In 2018, he ventured to Port Moresby seeking employment, but unfulfilling jobs and a yearning for purpose led him back to Wewak.
It was there that inspiration struck. Armed with a chainsaw, Isaac embarked on a mission to build a new church in his village, starting with humble beginnings in a chicken hut. He reached out to his brothers' children and to former addicts, his faith-filled gatherings marked by the rhythmic call of the garamut.
Despite facing negativity and resistance from his community, Isaac persevered. His father eventually offered him a plot of land, and with support from the Guarip Seventh-day Adventist Church and the Sepik Mission, the dream of a permanent church began to take shape.
Tragically, Isaac's life was cut short by a long-term illness at the young age of 29. But his legacy lives on. On January 12th, 2024, during his funeral service, Sepik Mission Secretary Pastor Jeffrey Saigomi announced that the newly constructed church would be named in his honor: The Isaac Wamakoru Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Isaac Wamakoru's story is a testament to the power of faith and the ripple effect of one person's dedication. He may be gone, but his church stands tall as a beacon of hope in his village, a lasting reminder of his unwavering commitment to sharing his faith and making a difference in the lives of others.
