Serving God, One Person at a Time

Receptionist, Central Papua Conference | 18 Years of Service

For Janet Roah Kaupa, serving as a receptionist at Central Papua Conference is more than simply welcoming visitors and answering questions. It is an opportunity to serve God and be a witness to the people who walk through the Conference reception door.

Originally from Wanigela Village in the Marshall Lagoon area, Janet is married to a man from Simbu and is a mother of three children. She has faithfully served at CPC for 18 years.

One of the things she values most about working at the Conference is the staff morning devotion.

“It is good to begin the work with the Lord. I worship at home, but it is also good to begin the day with worship at the workplace because I rely on God. My dependence is on God.”

As a receptionist, Janet meets people from many different backgrounds and situations. Some arrive with questions, while others may come carrying personal problems or concerns. Janet wants the reception area to be a place where people experience kindness, encouragement and joy.

“I wish to make this reception counter a joyful place where people can find joy. When people come with a problem, I want them to leave with a smile. Sometimes I pray with them.”

For Janet, working in God's office is deeply rewarding.

“It is a joy for me to serve God's people in this Conference. I can be a witness here at the reception.”

Her journey into this role was also shaped by her local church. Serving as a church secretary gave her valuable experience and prepared her for the responsibilities she now carries at CPC.

One of her most memorable experiences came during a Drive and Preach ministry trip to a rural district, when a snake nearly bit her. Janet believes that God protected her and sees the experience as another reminder of His care.

Over her 18 years at CPC, Janet says she has learned important lessons from her fellow workers, particularly unity, humility and sharing. She also treasures the fellowship, retreats and worship experiences shared with the CPC team.

Her favourite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13:

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

The verse reminds Janet that she does not have to depend only on her own abilities.

“Sometimes I have not gone far, and I have limited knowledge, but with God, God can take me to extra heights.”

She knows that life and ministry come with challenges and storms, but her faith continues to give her courage.

“There are problems and storms I go through, but with Christ in my vessel, I can smile at the storm.”

After 18 years of service, Janet's message is simple: CPC workers are ultimately called to serve God.

“We are here to serve the Lord. We are not here to serve or work for our leaders. Let us work in unity for God.”

For Janet, every person who approaches the reception desk is an opportunity to show Christ's love and perhaps help someone leave with a smile.

The baptismal waters became a place of new beginnings on August 8, 2026, as 22 people publicly committed their lives to Jesus Christ following a two-week evangelistic program by Kereva SDA church at Goldie. The two weeks evengalism was conducted by Elder Karl Jack.

Among those baptised was a former Evangelical Brotherhood Church (EBC) pastor, his wife, his elderly mother, members of his family and two congregations connected to his former ministry.

But behind the baptism was a story of a pastor who spent years preaching the Bible and then found himself searching for a deeper understanding of the Scriptures he had devoted his life to teaching.

For nine years, he served as a chaplain and later spent 10 years as an EBC pastor. He had also completed three years of study at Lae Bible College. Yet, despite his years of ministry, his desire to understand God's Word more deeply continued.

His journey toward Adventism began as he encountered the Seventh-day Adventist approach to Bible study.

“What impressed me was the way Adventists study and preach,” he said. “They dig deep, connect the texts, and they can interpret the prophetic books like Daniel and Revelation.”

The more he studied, the more his understanding developed. On August 8, 2025, he made the decision to join the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

But Bible study was only part of the journey.

Something else had caught his attention, the way Adventists put their faith into action.

Members of Kereva Seventh-day Adventist Church visited his elderly and vulnerable mother. Their visit went beyond words and prayer. They helped wash her, repaired her house and took her to the hospital when she needed medical attention.

For the former pastor, those acts of kindness demonstrated something he believed deeply about Christian faith: that what people believe should also be seen in how they treat others.

“I believe Seventh-day Adventists are true Bible-believing Christians,” he said.

His decision did not remain a personal one.

His wife, elderly mother, six family members and two members of his former church also accepted the Adventist faith. Together, they became part of the 22 people baptised at the conclusion of the two-week evangelistic program.

For the former pastor, the occasion represented more than a change of denomination. It was a continuation of his commitment to God, now expressed through a new understanding of Scripture and a new church family.

His ministry experience spans more than two decades. After completing his studies at Lae Bible College, he served nine years as a chaplain and then 10 years as an EBC pastor.

Now, as he begins a new chapter, he says his calling has not changed.

“I am still willing to do God’s work,” he said. “I will continue to do God’s work with my new belief until Christ returns.”

For 22 people, August 8, 2026, will be remembered not simply as the day they were baptised, but as the day they publicly declared a new beginning in their walk with Christ.