Central Papua Conference president Pastor Kove Tau died of cardiac arrest at the Port Moresby General Hospital on Sunday, October 9.
Pastor Tau, 59, was serving his second term as president of the conference when he passed away. Announcing his passing, conference secretary Pastor Rex Koi described Pastor Tau as a “humble servant and God-fearing man” who had time for everyone.
Pastor Koi also said Pastor Tau’s contributions to the conference and the PNG Union Mission would be remembered for a long time to come.
“We will never forget how loyal and professional he was with his work despite his health situation.
“We will all miss him more than words can express,” he added.
Pastor Tau is survived by his wife Judith, daughters Cassandrah and Calleeandrah and grandson Taj. According to tentative funeral arrangements, the funeral service will be held on Sunday at Bautama, just outside Port Moresby. He will be buried at his home, Gavuone, Central province, next week.
A life dedicated to ministry
Pastor Tau was born on October 6, 1963, at Gavuone village in Central province. He attended the Madana Adventist School from 1974 to 1977, where he was also baptised.
He then attended the Mt Diamond Adventist High School from 1978 to 1981.
After graduating with a diploma of theology studies at Sonoma Adventist College in 1987, he began full-time ministry as a church pastor in the North East Papua Mission (now Northern and Milne Bay Mission) for two years, from 1988 to 1989.
He served the Central Papua Mission as church pastor and associate director from 1990 to 1992. From 1993 to 1995 he served as the director of the Madana Laity Training school. Pastor Tau was then called to serve the Morobe Mission as a church pastor and department director from 1996 to 1999.
In 2000 he served the South West Papua Mission as mission secretary. In the following two years, he served the Sepik Mission as secretary before moving on to the New Britain New Ireland Mission where he served in the same position from 2003 to 2005.
He then returned to the Morobe Mission and served as president from 2006 to 2008.
Pastor Tau continued serving the Bougainville Mission from 2009 to 2013 as its president. He also continued studies at the Pacific Adventist University from 2009 to 2010 and graduated with a degree in theology.
He was then called to serve the Central Papua Conference as president from 2014 until his passing on Sunday.
