Teachers from Adventist schools across East Sepik Province gathered at Sepik Mission headquarters on Wewak Hill yesterday, January 25th, 2024, for their annual Teachers Resumption Day. The event served as a powerful reminder that their classrooms are not just battlegrounds for knowledge, but for the very soul of their students.

Personal Ministries and Sabbath School Director Pastor Cyril Kulanawi, opening the day with a devotional message, drew on Ephesians 6:10-17 to paint a vivid picture of the true enemy Adventist teachers face. It is not mere academic struggles or unruly students, but cunning spiritual forces that seek to corrupt the values and foundations of Adventist education. Kulanawi's message resonated, reminding teachers that their work transcends earthly concerns and carries eternal weight.

Sepik Mission President Henry Monape followed, equipping teachers with the practical tools needed for their work. He emphasized the importance of work ethic, professionalism in dress, and punctuality, reminding everyone that even small actions carried out with excellence become key elements in the work of Adventist education. Monape's message highlighted that professionalism isn't just about outward appearance, but about the dedication and quality teachers bring to their classrooms.

Japaraka, Papua New Guinea - The Japs Seventh-Day Adventist Church culminated a week of spiritual renewal with the dedication of their new church building on January 21st, 2024. The weeklong fellowship meeting, led by Stewardship Director Pastor Gahphu Kaple, prepared the church both physically and spiritually for the momentous occasion.

The dedication ceremony was officiated by Mission Secretary Pastor Jeffrey Saigomi and other representatives from the Sepik Mission. In his address, Pastor Saigomi emphasized the significance of the church as a place where God dwells among His people. He urged members to respect and cherish the new building, using it solely for God's purposes.

The ABC Book Shop in Vanimo recently hosted its annual open day event, which is a time when all their books go on discount. The event attracted many customers, especially children and youths, who were eager to buy and read Christian literature and other resources.

One of the staff members, Mr. Kinson Yamahune, who works as an accountant for the Adventist Book Centre, shared a touching story of how he sold a book to a young boy who had a keen interest in religion. He said that he was busy doing the sales of their books and one afternoon around 3 PM - 3:30 PM, a group of children were travelling back home after school as they passed by their stalls. One boy among the children, around 9 - 11 years old, was acting a bit weird. He walked past their stalls with their books and not long after he turned back and in his hand he had a K10.00 note. He walked confidently to the stall and asked to buy the ‘Steps to Christ’ book, which is a classic book by Ellen G. White that explains the steps to salvation and Christian living.

Unfortunately, they ran out of stock for the Steps to Christ book, so Mr. Yamahune recommended him another book instead, titled; ‘God Said It’, which is about the story of Moses. He said, “I highly recommend this book for you. It will teach you a lot about God and His plan for you. It will also show you how Moses was a foreshadow of Jesus, who is the ultimate Savior and Leader. You will learn how to trust God and obey His commands, just like Moses did.” The boy agreed and paid for the book.

Mr. Yamahune was impressed by the boy’s choice and attitude. He said, “Unlike any other kid nowadays who would go to pay for a smartphone or for any other interesting thing, this kid was totally different and he wanted to buy a book, not an ordinary book but a Christian literature. So I told him, you’ve made the right decision and the Lord will bless your future. After getting his new book, he then left feeling excited and satisfied with his new book.”

Mr. Yamahune said that he hoped that the book would touch the boy’s heart and mind and lead him to Christ. He also hoped that he would see him again and be able to share more books and resources with him. He thanked God for giving him this opportunity to witness and serve.

He also said that there are so many great books and other resources available at their nearest ABC bookshops, which he would highly recommend to their children, youths, parents, and even the public to buy and read. He said that they have a wide range of books and other resources available for different ages, ranging from small children to adults. He said that reading these books and resources would enrich their knowledge, faith, and character, and help them grow closer to God and His will.

The ABC Book Shop in Vanimo is one of the many outlets of the Adventist Book Centre, which is a ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that aims to provide quality Christian literature and media to the public. The ABC Book Shop offers books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, and other materials that cover topics such as health, family, education, prophecy, spirituality, and more. The ABC Book Shop invites everyone to visit their store and browse their collection of books and resources that will inspire and transform their lives.

In the Murik Lakes of East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, Darapap Adventist Primary School stands on the brink of closure. Three-quarters of its land has been submerged by the rising sea, a direct consequence of climate change. Founded in the early 1970s on low-lying terrain vulnerable to erosion and flooding, the school has valiantly weathered countless challenges. But the unrelenting tide of climate change has proven too much to bear.

The impact of climate change has been crippling for Darapap. Closed for almost a year, the school's fate hung in the balance. However, a flicker of hope emerged in a recent visit and meeting with the community. Director of Adventist Education Services, Mr. Lancedown Wirise, discussed relocation options, and a decision was made: the school will relocate to the land where the Seventh-day Adventist Church once stood.

Relocation brings challenges, but also opportunities. Mr. Wirise urged everyone to join hands in constructing temporary classrooms while permanent structures rise on higher ground. "I will make sure to send teachers to help get the school running again," he assured. For the community, Darapap represents more than just a school; it is the sole hope for their children's future and the village's survival. With their remaining land on the verge of vanishing beneath the encroaching waves, education offers a path out.

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.

In a heartwarming display of community spirit, the Adventist Community Service of Satmali Seventh-day Adventist Church reached out to families in Amgavi village today, bringing not just essential supplies but also a touch of hope. Nestled in the heart of Karawari, Middle Sepik District, Amgavi is a bustling village with over 3,000 residents. Recognizing the basic needs of the community, the church members embarked on a mission of kindness, distributing clothes and soap to 70 fortunate households.

While the limited supply meant that not everyone could be reached today, the joy in the recipients' homes was palpable. Lit by smiles and gratitude, each package of clothes and laundry soap held the promise of a little comfort and a helping hand. Pastor William Laki, the church pastor, aptly captured the essence of the initiative: "Before we can share the love of Jesus, we must first meet the needs of the people." This act of compassion serves as a stepping stone towards the upcoming "PNG for Christ" program in the district, paving the way for a future filled with hope and support.

The warm welcome extended by the Amgavi community speaks volumes about the impact of such gestures. In a world often defined by hardship, the Satmali Adventists have chosen to be beacons of light, offering not just material necessities but also a testament to the power of human kindness. This act of generosity serves as a gentle reminder that even the smallest acts of compassion can have a ripple effect, leaving behind a trail of hope and inspiration in their wake.

As the church prays for the opportunity to return with further assistance, one thing is certain: the seeds of goodwill sown today have taken root in the hearts of the Amgavi villagers. The spirit of giving has transcended the limitations of material possessions, fostering a sense of connection and shared humanity that transcends distance and circumstance. In the end, it is not just the clothes and soap that will be remembered, but the act itself, a testament to the enduring power of compassion to bridge divides and build a brighter future, one kind deed at a time.

Kreer SDA Primary School, which started as an elementary school in 1995, has graduated its first batch of 29 grade six students under the newly introduced 166 education system. 

The school, which is almost 28 years old, received approval from the Adventist Education Services of Sepik Mission and the East Sepik Provincial Education board to upgrade from the old Outcome Based Education (OBE) system to the new 166 system in 2020.

A special dedication program for the pioneer graduating students was conducted and officiated prior to the graduation ceremony by the church Pastor for Gander Memorial Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Pastor David Kiak. He congratulated the students for their achievement and encouraged them to continue their education with faith and diligence.

The graduation ceremony was attended by dignitaries such as School Inspector for Wewak East Coast Cluster, Mr. Philip Rofunduo, Mission Secretary for Sepik Mission, Pastor Jeffrey Saigomi, Education Director for Sepik Mission, Mr. Lancedown Wirise, Chairman of the Board of Management for Kreer SDA Primary School, Mr. Tom Balagawi, and the Assistant Chairman of the Board of Management, Mr. Anton Namuesh.

Mr. Wirise announced that the school has officially been recognized by the government as a registered institution and is now eligible to receive fundings and other support from the government. He also commended Gander Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church, Sepik Mission, the Provincial Education Department, parents, board and the community for their support to bring the school to this stage.

The Wewak island West Coast District of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Papua New Guinea has concluded another successful evangelistic campaign on the 2nd of December, 2023 at Woginara 2 village. The campaign resulted in four baptisms and 27 people who responded positively to commit their lives to Christ.

The program was part of the PNG for Christ campaign, a nationwide initiative to spread the gospel and plant new churches in the country. The district Director of Wewak island West Coast District, Pastor Francis Nima, led the campaign and preached the messages of hope and salvation to the villagers.

The district Director for Wewak East Coast, Pastor Tony Peter, later joined the campaign at the end of the week to conduct the baptism of four new members. He expressed his joy and gratitude for the work of God in the village. “It was thrilling to see this many people making a commitment of their lives to Christ,” he stated. He also encouraged the new converts to remain faithful and grow in their relationship with God.

The Ambunti Adventist Primary and Elementary School in East Sepik province hosted a combined graduation ceremony this year on Tuesday, 28th November, 2023. The event was attended by more than 200 students, parents, teachers and community members, as well as two special guests from the Sepik Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The graduation program began with a prayer and a sermon by Minister Kimon Kaple, the church pastor of Ambunti Seventh-day Adventist Church. He urged the students to obey God and their parents, as obedience is the key to success in life. He also congratulated the graduates for their achievements and encouraged them to continue with God wherever their pathway may lead.

The headmaster of Ambunti Adventist Primary School, Mr. Hames, welcomed the guests and thanked them for their time and presence. He said that the school was blessed to have the Sepik Mission delegates, who were Mr. Joe Philip, the communication director, and Mr. Lancedown Wirise, the education director of the mission. He also acknowledged his hardworking and dedicated teachers, the parents of the students, and the students for making it this far in their education.

The highlight of the program was the presentation of awards and gifts to the students who excelled in their academic and extracurricular activities. The top students in each grade received certificates, gifts and other prizes from their teachers. In appreciation of their teachers, the students presented gifts.

The program ended with farewell speeches from a grade eight student representative and a grade seven student, respectively. They expressed gratitude to everyone who made their schooling and, ultimately, this graduation possible.

Fourteen people were baptized in Yarakai village, Ambunti District, on November 25th, 2023, after a one week meeting program led by the mission president for Sepik Mission, Pastor Henry Monape. This addition to their previous baptisms marked the highest number in the district, attributed by the district pastor to the divine power of God.

Yarakai village is a community known for its diverse experiences and activities, as well as the hosting venue for the viral Floating Pathfinder Camporee. Despite the challenges, the community has been seeking to make a change and to follow Christ.

The Holy Spirit has been working in the hearts of the people through His servants, who have been preaching the gospel and encouraging them to make decisions for Christ. Pastor Patrick Sapau, the district director for Ambunti, stated, “It is impossible for such a place like this to have the highest baptisms in the district, unless it is the divine power of God.”

Pastor Monape visited Yarakai village as part of his presidential visit to Yarakai Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He was welcomed by the church members and the community leaders, who expressed their gratitude for his support and guidance. He also praised the church for its growth and commitment to the mission of God.

Beglam Adventist Primary School, a remote school along the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea, celebrated the completion of another successful academic year on Monday, 27th November, 2023. The school, which is operated by the Adventist Education, has been facing many challenges such as lack of resources, facilities and teachers, but has managed to provide quality education to its students with the help of the local community, teachers and the Almighty God.

Tucked along the mighty Sepik River, an hour by boat upstream from the nearest district station of Ambunti, is Beglam. The school is one of the many Adventist Education operated schools in Sepik Mission, which covers the east and the west Sepik provinces. Beglam is like most of the remote schools in the country, who are still in their developmental stages and need more commitment and support to grow. “We started with only 1 classroom and one teacher’s house in 2022, and now we have five classrooms and four teacher’s houses, (three are still under construction),” said Ms Hames, the school head teacher. “We are proud of our students, who have shown great enthusiasm and dedication to learning, despite the difficulties they face every day.” Some of the difficulties include paddling for miles to get to school, and teaching resources. The school also has only five teachers, who have to pay for teaching resources using their own money. “Today, we are grateful to the Lord and Sepik Mission, who have successfully pushed our school through to receive government subsidies for next year.

The occasion was an added blessing with the presence of the Education Director of Sepik Mission, Mr. Lancedown Wirise, who traveled all the way from Wewak to witness this wonderful event as part of his school visits. While complimenting them on their achievements, Mr. Wirise stated, “Though I arrived late, I am pleased with the level of patience that I see here, and I commend you all for that.” In conclusion, he urged the community to build more houses for teachers so that he could send in more teachers to the school. 

The program ended on a high note with the presentation of gifts to students, teachers and guests who all left with a bright smile of satisfaction, appreciation and gratitude.

Another highlight was the celebration of the organization of Amanab station church as one of the organized churches of Sepik Mission. The church members were overjoyed as they received their certificate of organization and welcomed the new members into their newly organized church.

In appreciation, Pastor Saigomi thanked God for the wonderful results of the meeting and appreciated the speakers, the organizers, the volunteers, and the participants for their support and involvement. He also encouraged the newly baptized members and those who are deciding to do so to remain faithful and grow in their relationship with God.

Angoram Town Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sepik Mission celebrated the investiture of 36 Pathfinders and 24 Adventurers on Sabbath, November 18, 2023. The event marked the completion of their training in God’s school (Skul bilong Jisas) and their commitment to follow Jesus as their greatest master guide.

The Pathfinders and Adventurers received their certificates and badges from the church leaders in the mission, district and the church, who congratulated them for their hard work and dedication. Among the church leaders was the Youth Director of Sepik Mission - Pastor Richie Gako, who also took part in awarding and commending the Adventurers and the Pathfinders. They also expressed their gratitude to God for His guidance and blessings throughout the year.

The club is also preparing to attend the upcoming PNGUM Pathfinder camporee at Lae, Morobe Province next month, where they will meet and fellowship with other Pathfinders from different missions in Papua New Guinea. They are looking forward to learning more about God and His love, and to share their testimonies and experiences with others.

Members of the club and the church praised God for His glory and thanked Him for the opportunity to serve Him through the Pathfinder and Adventure ministries. They also prayed for God’s protection and provision as they travel to the camp and continue their journey of faith.

SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1301586950787254/permalink/1395770811368867/?mibextid=uJjRxr

The Sepik Mission is the Seventh-day Adventist administrative entity for the Sepik Region of mainland Papua New Guinea. Its headquarters are in Wewak, Papua New Guinea.

The Territory and Statistics of the Sepik Mission

The territory of the Sepik Mission is “East Sepik Province and Sandaun Province (excluding Telefomin District and Western Islands District of Manus Province) of Papua New Guinea.” It is a part of and responsible to the Papua New Guinea Union Mission (PNGUM), Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea. The Papua New Guinea Union Mission comprises the Seventh-day Adventist Church entities in the country of Papua New Guinea. There are nine local missions and one local conference in the union. They are the Central Papuan Conference, the Bougainville Mission, the New Britain New Ireland Mission, the Northern and Milne Bay Mission, the Morobe Mission, the Madang Manus Mission, the Sepik Mission, the Eastern Highlands Simbu Mission, the Western Highlands Mission, and the South West Papuan Mission. The address of the administrative office of the Sepik Mission is Seventh-day Adventist Mission, Wewak, 531, Papua New Guinea. Its postal address is P.O. Box 54, Wewak 531, Papua New Guinea.

The mission operates under General Conference and South Pacific Division (SPD) operating policies. Those policies state that the officers of the Sepik Mission are elected by the PNGUM. “The mission president elected by the union is a member of the union committee and is the union representative in the conduct of the work in the mission. The president shall, with the local mission committee, supervise and carry forward the work in the local mission.” Mission associate officers and departmental personnel are elected at a duly called session of the mission where representatives from all churches in the mission are present.

In 2018, the Sepik Mission had sixty-eight organized churches and 178 companies. Church membership at the end of 2018 was 14,865. The mission had eighty-seven active employees. Its tithe receipts for 2016 totaled US$530,035. Its tithe and offerings per capita were US$62.37.

The Schools of the Sepik Mission

At the end of 2018, there were eleven primary schools and one secondary school in the mission with a total of 1,389 students and sixty staff. The schools were:

• Ambunti Seventh-day Adventist Primary School, located at Ambunti on the Sepik River, had an enrollment of 196 students and a teaching staff of eleven.
• Bonahoi Seventh-day Adventist Primary School, located at Maprik in the East Sepik Province, had an enrollment of 242 students and a teaching staff of eleven.

• Darapap Seventh-day Adventist Primary School, located on Wewak Island in the East Sepik Province, had an enrollment of sixty-six students and a teaching staff of two.
• Dawary Adventist Primary, located in Yangoro-Kubalia in the East Sepik Province, has not reported student enrollment or teaching staff in recent years.

• Imombi SDA Primary School, located at Ambunti in the East Sepik Province, no report of enrolment or teaching staff has been received in recent years.
• Jalalap Seventh-day Adventist Primary School, located on Wewak Island in the East Sepik Province, had an enrollment of 120 students and a teaching staff of six.

• Kreer Seventh-day Adventist Primary School is located on Wewak island in the East Sepik Province.

• Nagum Seventh-day Adventist School, located at Yangoro-Kubalia in the East Sepik Province, had an enrollment of 210 students and a teaching staff of ten.

• Nindiwi Adventist Primary, located at Yangoro-Kubalia in the East Sepik Province, the school has an enrolment of 392 and a teaching staff of twelve.
• Sio Primary School, located at Ambunti in the East Sepik Province, had an enrollment of eighty-two students and a teaching staff of two.
• Sisida Adventist Primary, located on Wewak Island in the East Sepik Province, had an enrollment of eighty-one and a teaching staff of six.
• Wamba Adventist Primary, located at Yangoro-Kubalia in the east Sepik Province, no report of enrolment or teaching staff has been received in recent years.
• Wauningi Seventh-day Adventist Primary School is located at Aitape in the Sandaun Province.

The Medical Institutions

As of 2018, the Sepik Mission operated four clinics and one medical launch.

• Ambunti Health Centre., P.O. Box 7, Ambunti 534, Papua New Guinea.
• Koil Island Health Centre, c/o P.O. Box 54, Wewak 531, Papua New Guinea.
• May River Health Centre, c/o P.O. Box 54, Wewak 531, Papua New Guinea.
• Tumolbil Health Centre, P.O. Box 23; Telefomin 555, Papua New Guinea.
• The Pathfinder (medical launch) operated on the Middle Sepik River with a mailing address of P.O. Box 7, Ambunti 534, Papua New Guinea.

The Arrival and Early History of the Adventists in the Sepik

Alexander Campbell, reporting on the Annual Council held in Rabaul in 1940, observed that “the great coastline of the mainland has not yet been touched. The very large Sepik Valley has yet to be entered.” A few weeks later he wrote a short article appearing in the Australasian Record in which, once again, he brought to readers’ attention the fact that to that time there was no Adventist work in the Sepik River Basin.

In 1942, Campbell wrote a letter, which was included in the Week of Prayer readings in 1942. Speaking of his desire to see something started in the Sepik region he said, “at different times calls have come from the Sepik people. We are ready to sacrifice two boys from our work here, though we can ill afford it, to go there when the opportunity arises. It is all rather wonderful that such calls and changes should come at this time.”

However, it was not until mid-1948 that Stanley Gander, who was stationed at Madang, reported that Bert Grosser had been “on the river for six weeks.” A start had been made. At the special Australasian Union Conference session held in August 1948, the president, W. G. Turner, was able to tell the assembled delegation that the Sepik territory had “been entered in the last few months.”

About one year later, a new mission vessel was delivered for use in the Sepik Basin. Called the Leleman (meaning light), the vessel was a welcome addition to the resources of the fledgling operation. It was reported that

The enormous Sepik district, largely uncivilized, is first to be visited by Pastor and Mrs. Gander in this ship. They will spend six months in that area, travelling up the mighty rivers, pioneering the way... From the Rhai Coast, where Brother Bert Grosser is working, to the Dutch border will be its sphere of operation.

Pastor and Mrs. Gander sailed the Leleman up the river and discovered what they believed were exciting prospects. Gander wrote, “we are finding a real spirit of friendliness and are constantly asked to come back and start a mission. As we study with them they are astonished and very much stirred.”

Even though the work of the Church was very much in its infancy in 1950, the Sepik area and the Manus area were organized as the North West New Guinea Mission with headquarters in Wewak. S. H Gander was the president. Between 1953 and 2018, the mission grew from two churches with 403 members to sixty-eight churches and 178 companies with 18,855 members.

Since the Sepik Mission was organized in 1953 the church has grown as follows:

• 1953 2 Churches 403 members
• 1960 15 Churches 1490 members
• 1970 26 Churches 2846 members
• 1980 34 Churches 4128 members
• 1990 41 Churches 6862 members
• 2000 57 Churches 191 Companies 11227 members
• 2010 61 Churches 199 Companies 10262 members
• 2018 68 Churches 178 Companies 18855 members

Organizational History of the Sepik Mission: Structure

There was no formal organizational structure in the mission territories of the Australasian Union Conference in New Guinea, which included the territory of the Sepik until 1929. With the arrival of Griffiths Jones at Matupi on the Island of New Britain in 1929, an entity simply known as the “Mandated Territory of New Guinea” appeared in the Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook. The superintendent was G. F. Jones. The address was “SDA Mission, Matupit, Rabaul. This entity, as its name implied, included within its territory the whole of the mandated territory of New Guinea, including the Sepik. In 1932, the name of the entity was changed to simply Territory of New Guinea.

In 1945, the “Papua-New Guinea Mission” was formed. This mission included all of the territory of the former Territory of New Guinea Mission and the former Papua Mission. (The Papua Mission had been organized in 1928.) The Papua-New Guinea Mission headquarters were located in Port Moresby, Papua. The first superintendent was R. A. R. Thrift. In 1946, the name of the Papua-New Guinea Mission was changed to Papua North East New Guinea Mission.

In 1947, the Bismarck Archipelago Mission was formed. Charles Mitchell was the first president. The territory of this mission had been previously included in the Papua-New Guinea Mission. In 1947. New Britain, New Ireland, Bougainville, Buka, the St. Matthias Group, the Admiralty Group (Manus), and adjacent islands were taken out of the Papua-New Guinea Mission and organized as the Bismarck Archipelago Mission. The remaining territory of the Papua-New Guinea Mission, including the Sepik, was organized as the Papua North East New Guinea Mission under Superintendent Robert R. Frame.

In 1949, the Coral Sea Union Mission was formed incorporating the territory of the Sepik region. In 1950, the North West New Guinea Mission was organized. The mission headquarters were in Wewak and the mission president was S. H. Gander. The territory of the mission included Manus as well as the Sepik.

In 1953, the Coral Sea Union Mission was reorganized with eight local missions. The Central Papuan Mission under L. I. Howell, the Eastern Highlands Mission under A. J. Campbell, the Eastern Papua Mission under Ngava, the Madang Mission under T. F. Judd, the Morobe Mission under J. H. Newman, the Sepik Mission under S. H. Gander, the Western Highlands under F. J. Maberley, and the Western Papua under H. M. Pascoe.

In 1972, the Sepik Mission became one of ten local missions in the newly organized Papua New Guinea Union Mission.

Organizational History of the Sepik Mission: Union Mission Affiliation

Affiliation with the Australasian Union Conference

Until 1949, all of the local conference and mission entities throughout the Australasian Union Conference related directly to that union with headquarters in Sydney. At a specially called session of the Australasian Union between August 16 and 21, 1948, a major reorganization was approved. Australia and New Zealand were divided between two union conferences known as the Trans-Tasman Union Conference, and the "rans-Commonwealth Union Conference. The mission territories were divided into two union missions known as the Coral Sea Union Mission (CSUM) and the Central Pacific Union Mission.

Sepik Territory within the Coral Sea Union Mission

In that reorganization in 1949, the territory of the Coral Sea Union Mission was designated as “Papua, the Mandated Territory of New Guinea, and the British Solomon Islands Protectorate.” The Sepik was part of the ‘Mandated Territory of New Guinea’ and thus parts of the CSUM.

Sepik Territory within the Reorganized Coral Sea Union Mission

In 1953, the territory of the Coral Sea Union Mission was divided into the Coral Sea Union Mission and the Bismarck-Solomons Union Mission. After it was reorganized in 1953, the Coral Sea Union Mission continued to have its headquarters in Lae, New Guinea. The reorganized union now had as its territory “Papua and the mainland of the Mandated Territory of New Guinea; comprising the Central Papuan, Eastern Highlands, Eastern Papuan, Madang, Morobe, Sepik, Papuan Gulf, Western Highlands, and Western Papuan Missions.” The Sepik Mission was affiliated with the CSUM throughout the period of the existence of this union from 1953 to 1972.

Affiliation with the Papua New Guinea Union Mission

In 1972, there was yet another reorganization of the union missions in the Australasian Division. The Papua New Guinea Union Mission (PNGUM) was formed with ten local Missions. They were the Bougainville Mission, organized in 1953; the Central Papuan Mission, organized 1928; the Eastern Highlands Mission, organized in 1953; the Madang Manus Mission, organized in 1949 and reorganized in 1953, 1972; the Morobe Mission, organized in 1953; the New Britain New Ireland Mission, organized in 1953 and reorganized in 1961, 1972; the North East Papuan Mission, organized in 1953 and reorganized in 1972; the Papuan Gulf Mission, organized in 1954 and reorganized in 1960; the Sepik Mission, organized in 1953; and the Western Highlands Mission, organized in 1953.

The missions that had existed up until the reorganization in 1972, but which were absorbed into other missions on reorganization were: Madang Mission, Manus Mission, New Ireland Mission, East New Britain Mission, West New Britain Mission, Milne Bay Mission, and North Papuan Mission.

In 2000, another major reorganization of the unions in the South Pacific Division occurred at the South Pacific Division session. Five unions were reduced to four by rearranging boundaries. This change did not alter the territory of the Papua New Guinea Union Mission.

Presidents of the Sepik Mission Since 1950

North West New Guinea Mission (1950-1953): S. H. Gander (1950-1953).

Sepik Mission (1953-): S. H. Gander (1953-1954); Ernest C. Lemke (1955-1960); Elwyn A. Raethel (1961-1963); C. T. Parkinson (1964-1967); Lionel A. Smith (1968-1973); Frank J. Dyson ( 1974-1976); John H. Gate ( 1977-1980); Kevin G. Amos (1981-1986); Samson R. Genun (1987-1991); Peter Oli ( 1992-1998); John Hamura (1999-2003); Simeon Nara ( 2004-2005); William Moke (2006-2007); Joel Markau ( 2009-2015); Samuel Silas (2015- ); Henry Monape 

Sources

“A Light in a Dark Place.” Australasian Record, September 19, 1949.

“ADM 10.05, Principles of Denominational Organization.” In South Pacific Division Working Policy. Wahroonga, New South Wales: South Pacific Division, 2018.

Annual Statistical Report of Seventh-day Adventists. Silver Spring, MD: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1953-2018. Accessed February 8, 2020. http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Statistics/ASR.

Campbell, A. J. “The New Guinea Annual Council.” Australasian Record, January 8, 1940.

Campbell, A. J. “The Sepik.” Australasian Record, February 2, 1940.

Frame, R. R. “Mission Field Reorganisation.” Australasian Record, April 24, 1972.

Gander, S. H. “Burden Bearers.” Australasian Record, August 9, 1948.

Gander, S. H. “Sepik Survey, New Guinea.” Australasian Record, November 21, 1949.

Gander, S. H. “Sepik Survey.” Australasian Record, November 28, 1949.

Gander, S. H. “Sepik Survey.” Australasian Record, December 5, 1949.

Hart, C. A. “The Coral Sea Union Mission Reorganization.” Australasian Record, April 10, 1950.

Manners, Bruce. “Session Votes for Restructure.” Record, November 25, 2000.

Mote, F. A. “Coral Sea Union Mission Re-organization.” Australasian Record, May 25, 1953.

“Our Island Field–Australasian Division.” Australasian Record,” May 25, 1942.

Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook. Various years. https://www.adventistyearbook.org/.

“The President’s Address.” Australasian Record, August 30, 1948.

Notes

Much of the information in this article comes from the personal knowledge and experience of the author as a former General Secretary and President of the South Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists. The author acknowledges the contribution of Pauline Yorio, Administrative Secretary in the Papua New Guinea Union Mission Office in the collation of the information for this article.↩

Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “Sepik Mission,” page 278, accessed February 8, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Yearbooks/YB2018.pdf.↩

Ibid.↩

“ADM 10.05, Principles of Denominational Organization,” in South Pacific Division Working Policy (Wahroonga, New South Wales: South Pacific Division, 2018).↩

Ibid.↩

Ibid.↩

2019 Annual Statistical Report: 155th Report of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for 2017 (Silver Spring, MD: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 2019), accessed February 2, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Statistics/ASR/ASR2019.pdf.↩

All data is derived from the “2018 Annual Statistical Report of the South Pacific Division Education Department to the General Conference,” unpublished report held in the files of the Education Director, South Pacific Division of the General Conference, Wahroonga, New South Wales, Australia.↩

A. J. Campbell, “The New Guinea Annual Council,” Australasian Record, January 8, 1940, 4.↩

A. J. Campbell, “The Sepik,” Australasian Record, February 2, 1940, 6.↩

“Our Island Field–Australasian Division,” Australasian Record,” May 25, 1942, 10.↩

S. H. Gander, “Burden Bearers,” Australasian Record, August 9, 1948, 6.↩

“The President’s Address,” Australasian Record, August 30, 1948, 1.↩

“A Light in a Dark Place,” Australasian Record, September 19, 1949, 7.↩

S. H. Gander, “Sepik Survey, New Guinea,” Australasian Record, November 21, 1949, 6; S. H. Gander, “Sepik Survey,” Australasian Record, November 28, 1949, 5; S. H. Gander “Sepik Survey,” Australasian Record, December 5, 1949, 5.↩

C. A. Hart, “The Coral Sea Union Mission Reorganization,” Australasian Record, April 10, 1950, 3.↩

91st Annual Statistical Report—1953” (Washington, DC: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1953), accessed February 8, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Statistics/ASR/ASR1953.pdf.↩

98th Annual Statistical Report—1960” Washington, DC: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1960), accessed February 8, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Statistics/ASR/ASR1960.pdf.↩

108th Annual Statistical Report—1970” Washington, DC: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1970), accessed February 8, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Statistics/ASR/ASR1970.pdf.↩

118th Annual Statistical Report—1980” Washington, DC: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1980), accessed February 8, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Statistics/ASR/ASR1980.pdf.↩

128th Annual Statistical Report—1990” (Silver Spring, MD: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist, 1990), February 8, 2020. http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Statistics/ASR/ASR1990.pdf.↩

138th Annual Statistical Report–2000” (Silver Spring, MD: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist, 2000), accessed February 8, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Statistics/ASR/ASR2000.pdf.↩

148th Annual Statistical Report—2010” (Silver Spring, MD: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist, 2010), accessed February 8, 2020,

http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Statistics/ASR/ASR2010.pdf.↩

2019 Annual Statistical Report: 155th Report of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for 2018 (Silver Spring, MD: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist, 2019), accessed February 8, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Statistics/ASR/ASR2019.pdf.↩

Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “Mandated Territory of New Guinea,” page 129, accessed February 8, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Yearbooks/YB1930.pdf.↩

Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “Territory of New Guinea,” page 73, accessed February 8, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Yearbooks/YB1933.pdf.↩

Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “Australasian Union Conference,” page 77, accessed February 8, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Yearbooks/YB1946.pdf.↩

Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “Papua Mission,” page 130, accessed February 8, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Yearbooks/YB1930.pdf.↩

Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “Australasian Union Conference,” page 77, accessed February 8, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Yearbooks/YB1946.pdf.↩

Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “Australasian Union Conference,” page 75, accessed February 8, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Yearbooks/YB1948.pdf.↩

Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “Australasian Union Conference,” page 75, accessed February 8, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Yearbooks/YB1948.pdf.↩

Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “Coral Sea Union Mission,” page 78, accessed February 9, 2020 http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Yearbooks/YB1950.pdf.↩

C. A. Hart, “The Coral Sea Union Mission Reorganization,” Australasian Record, April 10, 1950, 3.↩

Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “Coral Sea Union Mission,” page 89, accessed February 9, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Yearbooks/YB1954.pdf.↩

Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “Papua New Guinea Union Mission,” page 109, accessed February 8, 2020,↩

Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “Coral Sea Union Mission,” page 78, accessed February 8 2020 http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Yearbooks/YB1950.pdf.↩

Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “Bismarck Solomons Union Mission,” page 83, accessed February 8, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Yearbooks/YB1954.pdf.↩

F. A. Mote, “Coral Sea Union Mission Re-organization,” Australasian Record, May 25, 1953, 2, 3; Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “Coral Sea Union Mission,” page 89, accessed February 8, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Yearbooks/YB1954.pdf.↩

Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “Papua New Guinea Union Mission,” page 87, accessed February 8, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Yearbooks/YB1965.pdf.↩

Seventh-day Adventist Online Yearbook, “Papua New Guinea Union Mission,” page 109, accessed February 8, 2020, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Yearbooks/YB1973,74.pdf.↩

Ibid.↩

Bruce Manners, “Session Votes for Restructure,” Record, November 25, 2000, 8-9.↩