PNG Youth Convention 2024
In 2024, the Apostolic Church Papua New Guinea (ACPNG) invited me to minister at their National Youth Convention. The convention coincided with ACPNG’s 70th anniversary since its founding, and was held in the same town of its birthplace, in the town of Laiagam and specifically in the village of Mamal.
The National Youth Convention’s dates were 17-20 December, and was attended by a crowd of 1,500 during the day and increasing to 2000 at night. On this ministry trip, I was joined by a worship team from Alabaster Church who worked in partnership with ACPNG’s national worship team. Bringing a worship team was “historic” in the sense that it had never been done before. Missionaries and guest ministers from overseas have been part of ACPNG’s 70-year history, but never have they had an overseas worship team work together with them. Alabaster Church’s worship team was received so well by the nationals.
We left Melbourne for PNG on 14 December 2024. My first preaching assignment was at the Family Centre, Mt. Hagen which is also the head office for ACPNG. My team and I attended their Sunday worship service on the morning of 15 December, where I spoke on “Jesus, the Good Shepherd.” At the end of the message, I invited people to receive prayer for healing of hearing issues, as I acted on a word of knowledge from the Holy Spirit. Most of those who came forward for prayer testified of being healed by the Holy Spirit.
On 17 December, ACPNG celebrated its 70-year anniversary. A special worship service was held in the original church building that was built by the founding missionaries. It was a moving gathering marked by worship, prayers of repentance, and much celebration over God’s goodness.
At the National Youth Convention, my preaching schedule was as follows:
18 December, Morning Session: I spoke prophetically to the grace and favour that I sensed God was wanting to release over ACPNG. I released what I believed to be the Father’s word over the young people aged under 30, that God wants them to be change-agents to their nation and to the nations of the world. To read the full prophetic declaration, click here.
18 December, Afternoon Session: I spoke on the Revival of the Bread, the Cup, and the Oil. I focused on the truths of the oil, out of a conviction in my spirit that there is “fresh oil” that’s full of the favour of God being poured out on ACPNG. After the my message, we prayed for the sick and anointed them with oil according to Mark 6:13.
18 December, Evening Session: I shared the message, “The Greatest Miracle”, which focused on salvation, the new birth, and righteousness in Christ imparted to us by Jesus’ perfect sacrifice on the Cross. Over 50 people responded to the invitation to receive Christ as Lord and Saviour.
19 December, Morning Session: I shared a “life-message” that resonated with the ACPNG called “Generational Alignment Through The Blessing.” Prayer-minsitry was a powerful time of seeing the older generation lay hands on the young people to impart the blessing, as many of the young people cried out to the Lord.
19 December, Evening Session: I shared a simple message on “Jesus, the Servant” who loves to serve His people, His friends. This led to a time of healing as the Holy Spirit released words of knowledge for people to receive prayer. Over 60% of those in attendance acknowledged, through a show of hands, that Jesus had ministered healing to them over the last 2 days.
20 December, Morning Session: This was my final session and the Convention’s final ministry session. I shared on "Generational Alignment Through The Gospel”, based 1 Corinthians 15. The most important thing we can impart and leave to the next generation is not tradition, land, or wealth, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We started our journey home in the early hours of 21 December 2024 and landed in Melbourne at 1AM the following day. During our stay in PNG, we were hosted so generously by people that treated us as family. I think about Priscilla Namb and her sisters who catered for us and made sure we were well-fed. I think about Stanford who took care of all our transport needs in Laiagam. I think about Ps. Nick Wani, the General Secretary of ACPNG, and how he served as my interpreter every time I preached. But most of all I think about my covenant brother, Ps. Tonny Pasomb — who gave me his trust when I first minsitered in PNG in December 2023 and has graciously welcomed me to the ACPNG family.
For a news report on the 70th anniversary of ACPNG, click here.
