Pastor Kebo Norak has become the first student from the Eastern Highlands Simbu Mission (EHSM) to be sponsored to a master’s degree, graduating this year from the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS).
Pastor James Kaingua, General Secretary of Eastern Highland Simbu Mission (EHSM), attended the ceremony and delivered remarks on behalf of the mission. “Coming to AIIAS, and reaching the master’s level, this is a bonus for us,” Pastor Kaingua said. “The local mission has never sponsored someone to this academic height before.”
Drawing from 2 Timothy 2:2, Pastor Kaingua emphasised the importance of investing in leadership development. “We must select able people to continue the path of leadership,” he said. “Success and planning in leadership is key to keeping the organisation functioning—and in that space, I can confidently say the Eastern Highlands Simbu Mission is in good hands.”
He credited divine providence for guiding Pastor Norak’s journey. “God enabled him to walk through this space and graduate in that honour,” Kaingua added. “We thank God, and we thank Kebo.”
Pastor Norak’s achievement not only reflects personal dedication but also signifies EHSM’s growing commitment to nurturing human resources for the future of ministry in Papua New Guinea.
Pastor Norak was one of seven graduates from the South Pacific Division, the largest cohort of SPD graduates recorded at what was the institutions 109th graduation ceremony.
The graduates were Goeffery Karae (Vanuatu), James Roriri (Vanuatu), Jason Gulea (Solomon Islands), Jimmy Garae (Vanuatu), Kebo Norak Aukeke (Papua New Guinea), Rexford Oge (Solomon Islands) and Viliame Raumaiyale (Fiji).
