Papua New Guinea:

With a focus on church mobilization, most of the activities of OM Papua New Guinea (PNG) revolve around the recruiting and training of local believers for world missions. Monthly meetings on world missions are taken in churches, and quarterly prayer meetings are held as combined church events. The OM PNG team also speaks at Bible colleges and youth camps, and missions conferences and seminars are organized regularly. A short-term team is hosted in PNG annually, and a one-month missions training program offered to new recruits. An annual “Barnabas Weekend” geared towards sending churches, partners and donors is also planned. “One of the greatest challenges the [local] church is facing is how to deal with other religious groups that are coming into PNG,” continued Kini. “We have other faiths that are also targeting PNG and as a result, many believers are leaving the church. On top of that, the church is faced with the challenge of social and health issues, and the response in terms of practical help is very slow and limited. The main concern now is that the church does not have a strong voice in some of the national issues that are affecting our nation. It remains silent and is not vocal to protect Christian beliefs and practices. Godly leadership, stewardship and sound biblical teaching are [also] often lacking.” There are currently 11 Papua New Guineans serving in Zambia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and on the OM ship. With only three full-time workers in the home office, the OM PNG team is busy! Pray that more people would join the OM PNG team, and for an increase in personal support and fundraising. Praise God for the 11 PNGs on the field, and for the impact they are making through their lives and ministry.