A significant breakthrough for cross-border mission work has occurred in the remote village of Nyaukono, where a local Lutheran leader has donated land and pledged youth support to build a Seventh-day Adventist church.
Located along the border of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, the village has become a focal point for the “I Will Go” strategic initiative, which sees the South Pacific Division (SPD) collaborating with the South Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) to strengthen mission work in the region.
The land donation comes following a second visit by Minister Lingskey Fimbore, a Volunteer In Action (VIA) missionary currently serving with the Sepik Mission at the Wutung border post.
In a heartwarming display of inter-faith support, the village representative—a dedicated Lutheran—insisted on the establishment of the Adventist presence. He cited the impact of Adventist literature as the primary reason for his generosity.
“I am very happy for the SDA church to come to our village,” the representative said.
“Even though I was born Lutheran, I appreciate the SDA faith because I have read their books, which speak on creating a quality life and the promise of eternal life.
Going beyond just the donation of land, the representative has committed to organising local Lutheran youth to assist with the actual construction of the church building. He also expressed a personal commitment to the spiritual growth of his family through the new church.
“I am in total agreement that the Adventist Church must come to Nyaukono, and I will send my own children to attend,” he said.
For Minister Fimbore, this development is a direct answer to prayer and a testament to the power of unity in fulfilling the Gospel commission.
“As a worker for God, I want to say it is time for the Church to stand up together in unity,” Minister Fimbore said.
“We are embracing the theme ‘I Will Go’ and focusing on the mission of the Church to fulfill the gospel in Matthew 28—reaching, preaching, and preparing people for God’s Kingdom.”
The new plant in Nyaukono is expected to become a strategic hub for mission work, bridging communities across the political border and fostering closer ties between the two Church divisions.
