Port Moresby’s Jacksons International airport was buzzing with more activity than is usual before dawn this morning (April 25), as hundreds awaited the arrival of Pastor Ted Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church worldwide.
Pathfinders, Master Guides and Youth Ambassadors formed a guard of honour and marched in time while the sound of drums and a bagpipe resounded through the humid morning air.
Pastor Wilson’s plane arrived at 5:15am local time.
The governor of the National Capital District, Powes Parkop officially welcomed Pastor Wilson and other dignitaries and church officials from Papua New Guinea Mission, the Central Papuan Conference and South Pacific Division president Pastor Glenn Townend, who attended the arrival before his departure to preach on the island of Bougainville later the same day.
Outside the gates hundreds more church members waited, cheering when Pastor Wilson arrived. Pastor Wilson was lead around the square to inspect the waiting young people, stopping to encourage or thank many of them.
He then mounted the makeshift stage and, after the governor’s official welcome, Pastor Wilson stood up to address the crowd.
“Thank you so much for the wonderful words of welcome,” said Pastor Wilson. “It makes us feel completely at home. I have to tell you; my wife Nancy and I are extremely impressed that so many of you would be out here at 5 o’clock in the morning to greet someone from an airplane. Thank you.” The crowd cheered at these words.
“This just tells us of our wonderful bond in Jesus,” Pastor Wilson continued. “The wonderful privilege that Papua New Guinea has in being an integral part of the entire world church family.” It was then, that the power went out, lights and amplification.
In the sudden darkness, the crowd outside the gates of the airport began to sing, while Pastor Wilson pressed through to the end of his message. When the power came back on, Pastor Wilson repeated some of his address, encouraging the crowd and thanking them for their singing. He focused on a passage in Joel 2:21 “Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things.”
“I know our stay will be an amazing opportunity to be part of your activities to bring Jesus to PNG in a powerful way,” he said. “We follow the wonderful pathway of Jesus helping people physically mentally socially and spiritually. Young people you are a great example of what it means to be God’s great church.”
After his address, Pastor Wilson prayed for the crowd and for the PNG for Christ programs.
PNG for Christ will run for the next few weeks as around 2000 sites around the country run a 16-message outreach program, with health and spiritual messages being shared.
For more highlights from the PNG for Christ program head to the #weRtheCHURCH YouTube channel.
