Theology students at the Pacific Adventist University (PAU) in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, were empowered to become effective disciples and disciple-makers at a recent symposium.
More than 80 students sat through the Disciple-Making and Movement-Building symposium from April 25-27. The symposium was an initiative between the South Pacific Division’s Adventist Mission, Mission to the Cities, PNG Union Mission (PNGUM) and PAU.
The symposium brought together speakers and practitioners from PAU, SPD, Fulton Adventist University College, Australian Union Conference and PNGUM.
In his welcome address, PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Lohi Matainaho spoke about Jesus’ calling of the first disciples. Reading from Mathew 28:18,19, he said “Jesus has given us the authority to go make disciples. You cannot succeed if you do not have the authority”.
PAU senior lecturer in theology Dr Joses Imona talked about Jesus’ invitation to the disciples, their involvement and how they abandoned Jesus in the end, adding “disciple-making is serious business and it can be costly”.
In the opening session on Friday evening, PNGUM Sabbath school and personal ministries director Pastor Miller Kuso gave an overview of the union’s strategies in growing quality disciples in the country.
Head of Research at the Fulton Adventist University Dr Elisha Marfo encouraged everyone to be servant leaders.
“Discipleship is being like Jesus . . . As God has called us and we’re receiving training, be a servant, be a good disciple,” Dr Marfo said when he spoke about the reigns of kings Solomon and Rehoboam during Sabbath morning worship.
Australian Union Conference ministerial association secretary Pastor Lyndelle Peterson spoke about Sabbath school as a discipleship making centre while PAU head of Theology Dr Loren Poli gave the history of disciple-making.
Director of the Pacific Adventist Research Centre Dr Ronell Mamarimbing did a presentation on the theology of disciple-making.
Meanwhile, Western Highlands Mission Sabbath school and personal ministries director Pastor Frank Minok talked about the local mission’s disciple-making strategies and Koki Seventh-day Adventist church senior elder Sam Divo presented to the symposium discipleship at the church level. He talked about how the Koki church implemented the Garden Model which resulted in church growth.
PNGUM Mission Ministerial Association Secretary Pastor Daniel Ricky gave the union’s future direction on discipleship and internship for graduates.
Students and staff expressed satisfaction after symposium, with many stating they were looking forward to the next symposium on Crossing Cultures for Mission which is set for October 3-5.
