Port Moresby’s largest Seventh-day Adventist church held a record ordination of elders, deacons and deaconesses to prepare for 2018.
Koki Hill church ordained 24 elders, 24 deacons and appointed 24 deaconesses after three special reflection Sabbaths led by the three groups. This was an all-time high for ordinations for Central Papua Conference.
The 3000-member church reflected back on the year of discipleship during the three Sabbaths, themed “Be a partner with God to make disciples for Jesus”. During the final divine service, outgoing senior elder Alex Nicu gave a passionate call to discipleship as he urged members to look at Christ and follow His example.
In order to address challenges in education and health, which are common in most urban ethnic settlements such as Koki, outgoing pastor Gibson Lohia could not overstate the importance of good leadership at the local church level.
“This is why we run this reflection program so our leadership express their learnings and offer encouragement to new leaders as part of discipleship. It marks a milestone of celebration.
“The ordination is the highlight of our year,” Pastor Lohia reflected with a smile.
