Papua New Guinea Union Mission (PNGUM) will partner with Adsafe to provide a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults.
Secretary Pastor Leonard Sumatau assured all who gathered virtually on April 8 for the launching of Adsafe in PNG, that the union would “find a way forward for Adsafe” and that Adsafe would feature in the PNGUM Strategic Plan 2022-2025.
“We are happy to be a partner in this ministry. Thank you to the South Pacific Division for initiating this partnership,” said Pastor Sumatau. “We look forward to a collaborative partnership between PNGUM and the local missions.”
Learning and Development director for Adsafe South Pacific Safeguarding Services, Pastor Benjamin Kola, said the work of Adsafe would be piloted in Morobe Mission and later rolled out to the other local missions and Central Papua Conference.
“We will try our best to work closely with schools and churches to see how best we can provide a safe environment for our children and vulnerable adults,” Pastor Kola said.
Team leader for Adsafe Safeguarding South Pacific Litiana Turner urged the PNGUM leadership and workers to work together to ensure the ministry reaches its goals.
“Today, as leaders you have gathered to reaffirm God’s calling in your lives and to launch an initiative that demands that we all do better at caring for, providing for and safeguarding the children and vulnerable adults among us,” Ms Turner said. “We have the opportunity right now to be at the head and not the tail as a Church in the way we address abuse within our faith community.
“By working together and learning from each other on best practice, we can do more effectively the work that God has called us to do.
“We can choose to get on board and be part of a movement that changes the way in which ministries and church institutions engage, support and uplift the vulnerable.”
PNGUM staff joined local mission leaders and SPD leaders to witness the launch.
