An afternoon mission program held at the Tasmanian Conference big camp in January raised more than $A4000 in cash, plus many pledge envelopes for the 2024 Camp Mission Offering, this year dedicated to Papua New Guinea’s Church Growth Crisis appeal.
“Many children ran around amongst the adults present holding out their collection cups and irresistible smiles,” said South Pacific Division (SPD) stewardship director Julian Archer. “Some children had already been collecting money in their piggybanks at home or during their Sabbath School classes.”
With a $A400,000 goal, this year’s camp mission offering—collected at camp meetings around Australia and New Zealand—will assist with the challenges caused by the exponential growth the Church is experiencing in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Driven by discipleship programs, house churches established during COVID-19 lockdowns and small group Bible studies, the unprecedented growth has led to an explosion of new church attendees and more than 6000 new branch churches, causing a shortage of trained pastors, leaders and resources for retaining new members.
“And on top of all that, this year the Church is running PNG for Christ 2024—a series of evangelistic reaping campaigns running simultaneously nationwide in up to 2000 venues,” said Mr Archer.
The funds raised will support the urgent need for more trained pastors and leaders and essential resources for retaining new members and effectively managing the vast number of new church attendees.
“The Papua New Guinea Church Growth Crisis is unlike anything we’ve ever witnessed,” said PNG Union Mission president Pastor Malachi Yani. “We’re asking church members in Australia and New Zeland to please donate whatever you can to support this work. Your donations will be used here on the frontlines of mission to win and keep souls for God’s kingdom.”
Australian Union Conference stewardship director Pastor Lyndelle Peterson also encouraged members to give “not just because of the need but also because of the blessings of being a part of God’s worldwide mission.”
More on PNG’s Church Growth Crisis and the 2024 Camp Mission Offering can be found at the SPD stewardship website.
