Thirty-eight people were baptised following an evangelistic campaign in the remote Elem area of Papua New Guinea, as the Western Highlands Mission (WHM) continues to expand its work in the area.
Located near the border of Enga and East Sepik provinces, Elem has a small Adventist presence and has been identified by WHM as a mission field.
Kompiam District director Minister Nathan Kantis and Pastor Simon Nathan led a team to the area for an evangelistic series themed “The Revelation of Hope”, held from September 24 to 28.
Reaching Elem required some members of the team to travel for five days on foot through mountainous and jungle terrain, crossing rivers and areas affected by tribal fighting. Other members flew by Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) aircraft to Yombaitok Airstrip before continuing to Elem by boat.
The meetings concluded with 38 baptisms and more people expressed interest in future baptism.
During the visit, the team also dedicated three recently planted branch churches. The congregations had been awaiting visiting ministers to conduct the dedications.
The growth of the Adventist presence in Elem has also highlighted the need for ongoing pastoral support in the remote area. Local leaders expressed a desire for a minister or Bible worker to be based there to support the newly baptised members and the three congregations.
Minister Kantis acknowledged the need and expressed his willingness to support the growing work in Elem.
“If the people are crying for Jesus, I have to leave the district office and serve in the remote place,” he said.
