The Milne Bay Adventist Students Association (MBASA) in Papua New Guinea has successfully hosted its first-ever biennial convention, marking a historic milestone for Adventist students across the province.
Held under the theme “Tracing God’s Written Story,” inspired by 1 Timothy 4:12, the week-long event brought hundreds of students for spiritual renewal, leadership and fellowship.
The spiritual highlight took place on Sabbath, December 20, when 17 people were baptised. The baptisms were described as a tangible outcome of the convention’s evangelistic focus, with many students choosing to begin a new chapter in their faith journey.
The convention officially opened on Sunday, December 14, with a keynote address delivered by Gima Leonard on behalf of Henry Isi Leonard, Member for Samarai–Murua. During the opening ceremony, Alotau District director, Minister Wonern Hirodidi, challenged students to remain faithful to their calling, reminding them that they are central to the Church’s work in the Northern Milne Bay Mission.
Throughout the week, guest speaker Pastor Samson Wangu led evening devotionals centred on the theme “Who is Jesus?” while morning sessions focused on “Insights and Connection”. These sessions were designed to help students navigate the complexities of modern education while maintaining a strong relationship with God, fostering growth not only academically but also socially and spiritually as future leaders of Papua New Guinea.
A significant moment of the convention came during the closing remarks by the outgoing MBASA president Richard Muro, a grade 12 student from Cameron Secondary School. Overcome with tears, Mr Muro spoke candidly about the weight of student leadership and the often-unseen challenges it brings.
“Leadership is hard and challenging; if you only talk, the work will never move,” he told his peers. He credited the success of the inaugural convention not to human effort alone, but to persistent and faithful prayer.
“When you kneel down with faith, things happen,” he shared, urging his fellow students to become “stepping stones” for those who will follow.
As the students returned to their schools and island communities, they did so with renewed purpose and confidence that, through prayer and faith, no challenge is too great.
