Uttai in Walsha LLG, Green River finally has a permanent church after a dedication ceremony on Sunday. The land for the church was donated by a local couple who were baptized on Sabbath.

Bibles were also distributed to new church members during the dedication. The church is situated in the heart of the community, with a population of 4,000, and is located between Uttai Catholic Primary and Uttai Catholic High School. A pastor's house has also been built at the back of the church to prepare for a resident minister.

The church establishment is part of Sumumini organized church's efforts to expand into the Green Valley, led by Minister Staford. Bewani Green District Director Pastor Kembol also provided support for the project.

Auwim, East Sepik Province (Papua New Guinea) - June 14, 2024 - Auwim, a remote village close to the border of East Sepik and Enga Provinces in Papua New Guinea, was visited by Adventist Education Services Director Mr. Lancedown Wirise and Senior Inspector of General Education Services Mr.Johnson Hapma on Wednesday, June 12th, 2024.

The purpose of the visit was to initiate the process of registering Auwim SDA Primary School, a beacon of hope for a community neglected due to its geographical location.

Community leaders expressed their deep desire for education in emotional speeches. One leader stated, "Many mocked us, calling us the back page of the province. Yet, we believe your visit today marks a new chapter, bringing us to the forefront."

Mr. Hapma, the Senior Inspector, pledged his support to expedite the registration process. He urged the community to work together with the Seventh-day Adventist Church to make their dream a reality.

Mr. Wirise assured the community that the necessary paperwork for registration is already in order and will be submitted shortly.

Following the program, officials toured the school for an inspection and a reception was held to honor the guests and community leaders.

Special thanks were given to Sr. Christine Gawi, Mrs. Linda Lalo, Masandanai Seventh-day Adventist Church, and volunteer teachers Mr. Venes Singafi and Mrs. Singafi for their two-year initiative to establish the school. Their dedication is bringing vital education services to Auwim.

Wewak Island West Coast District is gearing up for the PNG For Christ Campaign with a crucial planning meeting held at Sepik Mission in Wewak Hill. Led by Minister Francis Nima, the gathering brought together church leaders, community leaders, and government officials to strategize for the upcoming Awareness Walk.

Scheduled for March 6th, 2024, the Awareness Walk plays a key role in raising awareness about the campaign's core message and encouraging participation from residents across the Sepik region. Participants at the meeting meticulously deliberated on logistics, route planning, and community engagement strategies to ensure a successful walk.

The PNG For Christ Campaign transcends religious boundaries, aiming to promote spiritual values, foster moral well-being, and strengthen community bonds. It envisions a positive societal impact and serves as a continuous endeavor, not a one-time event, as Minister Nima emphasized.

The campaign's reach extends beyond Wewak, encompassing various communities throughout the Sepik region. It aspires to touch hearts, inspire positive change, and unite people on their faith journey. Through collaboration with local leaders, the campaign seeks to address societal challenges, including law and order issues, through a holistic approach.

Deputy Administrator Alphonse Kami echoed his support for the campaign, highlighting the significance of community rehabilitation and moral upliftment. The collaboration between the Seventh-day Adventist Church, local leaders, and government agencies promises a brighter future for the region.

Reaffirming the mission's unwavering commitment to working alongside the government, Pastor Henry Monape, president of the mission, stated, "Together, we aim to create a godly society, where compassion, unity, and spiritual growth prevail."

This collaborative effort signifies the collective commitment of various stakeholders in Sepik to create a more positive and unified region through the values and message of the PNG For Christ Campaign.

Despite heavy rain and wind, 23 people were baptized in Forok Village, Turubu LLG, Wewak, on February 24. The baptism was a result of a two-week evangelism series conducted by Joe Philip, sponsored by Maur Seventh-day Adventist Church and assisted by Wei and Koil Island Adventist Choir groups of the East Coast Schouten Island district of Sepik Mission.

The baptism ceremony itself took place during the rain, with the nearby creek swollen and overflowing its banks. The rain and the flood did not stop people from neighboring communities and new interests to witness the baptism. The baptism was conducted by the mission president of Sepik Mission, Pastor Henry Monape, assisted by the outgoing district director Pastor Tony Peter and the newly appointed district director Pastor Rayden.

Pastor Monape commended the church for their commitment and perseverance to stand in the rain to worship on the sabbath and to conduct the baptismal ceremony. He said, “𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙅𝙚𝙨𝙪𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙙 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧.”

The program was a pre-evangelistic event preceding the upcoming PNG for Christ campaign that would be held nationwide here in Papua New Guinea on April 26th to May 11th. There is great interest in the area after this event prompting Maur church to further focus its efforts in other such programs in Forok and the surrounding communities.

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.

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.