Melanesian Missionaries On Home Assignment Spark Renewal & Reconciliation In PNG

Rev. Peter and Jenny Isaacs are Melanesian missionaries sent from Papua New Guinea to the South Pacific island of Vanuatu.  They have served in Vanuatu for one full term and have just completed their first home assignment back in PNG.   Churches all over PNG responded well to their deputation ministry.  Their last district tour, on the Chimbu District, was particularly memorable.

According to mission leaders, this district has historically had a difficult time keeping a district superintendent.  Few have stayed beyond one term. Knowing this, the Isaac’s called for a special service in Kundiawa before they left. They invited all the former superintendents to come, dressed in their best suits and ties. District pastors were there along with many others. In fact, the service was packed with many outside who couldn’t get a seat in the building. It was a service of reconciliation in which Peter and Jenny knelt and washed the feet of every DS there. One man came forward to confess that he was the one who had stirred up all the trouble for the series of DSs, and he asked their forgiveness. It was a powerful time of healing and renewal.

The Kundiawa church further responded to this call for renewal by volunteering themselves for a Work and Witness project in Vanuatu next year.   This team is planning to help build the first Nazarene church building in Port Vila.   In addition, they will be assisting with evangelistic outreach, and health clinics. The eye doctor in Goroka is signed up to go as is the contractor who built the NHM Admin building in Kudjip. The idea of an all-Melanesian team is generating much excitement amongst the churches in PNG to pray for and support this effort.   

this post was filed under Around The Region on Oct 21, 2008