Representatives from the Papua New Guinea Union Mission (PNGUM) and Trans Pacific Union Mission (TPUM) recently completed an intensive 10-day archival and records management training program at the Adventist Heritage Centre at Avondale University (Cooranbong, NSW).
The program strengthened professional capacity in governance, compliance and institutional record retention across Pacific union and institutional entities. It is the first phase of an ongoing commitment.
The training was initiated by the union missions as part of their commitment to strengthening organisational governance, improving compliance practices and building long-term institutional capacity to support sustainable mission across the Pacific. It was delivered in partnership with the South Pacific Division Heritage Centre, whose coordination and expertise made the program possible.
Throughout the intergenerational program, participants engaged in hands-on workshops covering document classification, digital preservation systems, compliance frameworks, secure storage protocols, and record retention and disposal procedures. Particular emphasis was placed on applying retention schedules correctly, safeguarding sensitive information, and ensuring documentation remains secure, accessible and legally compliant.
One of the participants, Ledua, reflected on the deeper spiritual value of the experience. “I’m overwhelmed with gratitude to have this opportunity to learn and be inspired by our history and how God has led our Church, especially in the Pacific,” she said.
Organisers emphasised that strong records management is not simply administrative housekeeping. It is foundational to responsible governance, transparency and continuity of mission. When institutional memory is preserved with integrity, leaders are better positioned to make informed decisions, demonstrate accountability and steward resources faithfully, they said.
PMGUM general secretary Pastor Leonard Sumatau highlighted the collaborative spirit behind the initiative, noting, “PNGUM is excited to partner with the SPD and TPUM to strengthen our systems and ensure our records, history and governance practices support the mission of the Church now and into the future.”
