A week-long health initiative at Koki Seventh-day Adventist Church is helping members and the wider community discover that caring for their health is an important part of Christian stewardship.

Held from May 24 to 31 under the theme "Being a Steward of the 7 Dimensions of Wellness," Adventist Health Week brought together volunteer health professionals, medical missionaries and church members to promote healthy living through health education, practical services and spiritual encouragement.

More than 4,300 attendances were recorded throughout the week as participants gathered for nightly health presentations, worship services, Sabbath School, Adventist Youth programs and a Community Health Expo held on the grounds of Koki Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Guest speaker Dr Robert Jones presented Bible-based messages highlighting the connection between faith and health, while local health professionals delivered presentations on diabetes, mental health, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, leprosy and women's health. The nightly sessions also explored the seven dimensions of wellness,physical, emotional, intellectual, social, vocational, environmental and spiritual, encouraging participants to adopt a balanced lifestyle that honours God.

"The health message is about more than preventing disease," said Dr Jones. "It is about restoring the whole person and leading people to experience the abundant life Christ offers."

The week reached its peak on Sabbath, with approximately 1,500 people attending the church's health-focused worship services. The Sabbath afternoon Adventist Youth program featured a panel discussion titled "Eden Reclaimed – Living the Wellness Blueprint," where church leaders shared practical ways to apply biblical health principles in everyday life.

The program concluded with a Community Health Expo that served 145 participants through free health screenings and lifestyle education. Volunteer health professionals provided blood pressure and blood sugar checks, body mass index assessments, exercise and nutrition education, hydrotherapy demonstrations, natural remedies information, stress management support and prayer ministry.

The expo was organised in partnership with the church's 10,000 Toes advocates and volunteer medical missionaries from the PNG Lay Institute of Global Health Training (LIGHT). Mrs Donalyn Posai coordinated the LIGHT team, whose members donated their professional skills and time to serve the community.

Pastor Kevin Mark said the program reflected Christ's method of ministry by meeting people's physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

"Health ministry allows us to build relationships with people while sharing the love and hope found in Jesus Christ," he said.

Health Ministries leaders said the week strengthened collaboration between church departments, health professionals and volunteers while increasing awareness of preventive healthcare and the Seventh-day Adventist health message. They also expressed hope that the initiative would inspire more young people to pursue careers in healthcare and medical missionary work.

The Health Ministries Department thanked Dr Robert Jones, Pastor Kevin Mark, volunteer presenters, musicians, church ministries, the Communications team, deaconesses and the LIGHT Medical Missionaries for their contribution to the success of the program.

By combining practical healthcare with gospel ministry, Adventist Health Week reaffirmed the church's commitment to Christ's healing ministry and demonstrated how serving the community can become a powerful avenue for sharing the hope of Jesus.

More than a decade after the last visit by a General Conference Children's Ministries director to Papua New Guinea, Dr. Orathai Chureson has challenged church leaders, parents and teachers to make discipling children a mission priority.

Concluding a nationwide tour of PNG at the Central Papua Conference (CPC) in Bautama on July 3–4, Dr. Chureson encouraged attendees to intentionally lead children into a relationship with Jesus.

"Our mission is to win the souls of little children and help them come to know Jesus," she said during the sabbath worship attended by Sabbath School teachers, Children's Ministries leaders, parents and church members.

The Bautama program marked the final stop of Dr. Chureson's 10-day visit, which took her across PNG's four regions. Hosted by the Papua New Guinea Union Mission (PNGUM) Children's Ministries Department, the itinerary included meetings with church leaders, worship services, and leadership training in Port Moresby, Lae, Goroka and Kokopo before concluding in CPC.

Dr. Chureson said she had long wanted to visit Papua New Guinea after hearing reports of the PNG for Christ evangelistic initiative and the many people who had accepted Jesus through the nationwide campaign.

"I heard so much about PNG because of PNG for Christ," she said. "I wanted to come and see how we can strengthen Children's Ministries so that more children will also become disciples of Jesus."

The visit was the first by a General Conference Children's Ministries director since former director Linda Mei Lin Koh visited the country in 2013. Participants described the occasion as a privilege, noting that despite many opportunities around the world, Dr. Chureson chose to include the South Pacific Division and PNG in her itinerary.

A highlight of the weekend was the recognition of Children's Ministries leaders who have served faithfully over the years. Sixteen current and former Children's Ministries coordinators and directors received commemorative ministry pins, while church leaders also acknowledged several leaders who were unable to attend.

Welcoming the visitors, CPC General Secretary Pastor George Paki thanked the General Conference, South Pacific Division and PNGUM for investing in the training and encouragement of local Children's Ministries leaders. He urged participants to apply what they had learned in their local churches as they nurture children in faith.

Dr. Chureson was accompanied by South Pacific Division Children's Ministries Director Ruthy Batu and PNGUM Women's and Children's Ministries Director Elise Ricky.

The weekend concluded with a renewed commitment among participants to the Children's Ministries theme, "Every Child, a Disciple of Jesus," as churches across CPC continue equipping children to know Christ and participate in His mission.

Literature Evangelists from the Central Papua Conference (CPC) recently conducted an outreach program in Maopa, a coastal village in the Abau District, combining literature distribution, Bible studies, prayer ministry, and community support.

The outreach resulted in the distribution of 365 books and magazines, visits to 68 homes, 66 prayers offered, and 28 Bible studies conducted. The team also visited seven former Adventists and provided food supplies to families in need.

Maopa is located approximately 100 kilometres east of Port Moresby and is one of the communities being reached through the CPC Literature Ministry's ongoing evangelistic efforts.

According to Vavine Komba, Area Manager for Literature Ministry in CPC, literature continues to play an important role in sharing the gospel and supporting local church mission initiatives.

"Books themselves speak louder than a sermon. A sermon may be forgotten, but a book remains in the home, speaking again and again to every member of the family. Through literature, we can enter places where a preacher may never go and continue sharing the gospel long after we have left," Komba said.

In addition to distributing literature, the team spent time praying with residents, conducting Bible studies, and addressing practical needs through food assistance.

"The gospel is not only about sharing truth; it is also about showing compassion. When we meet people's immediate needs, we open doors for meaningful conversations about God's love and His plan for their lives," Komba added.

Central Papua Conference leaders commended the Literature Evangelism team for its commitment to frontline mission and community engagement.

They described the outreach as an example of the church's mission in action.

A Level One Literacy Certification Program held at Bautama has equipped 53 participants not only with basic reading and writing skills but also with the capacity to serve as literacy trainers within their communities, strengthening the Church’s mission of education and empowerment.

The two-week intensive program was described as a practical response to the challenge of illiteracy in rural communities, while also supporting discipleship and personal development through education.

Organised under the leadership of CPC Women’s Ministries Director Mrs. Julian Lava, the program combined foundational literacy training with a strong focus on community-based teaching methods, preparing participants to return to their villages as literacy facilitators.

Church leaders highlighted that literacy is closely linked to discipleship, as the ability to read Scripture, understand written communication, and engage in daily learning strengthens both faith and community participation.

Leaders said that it reflect a growing emphasis within the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Papua New Guinea on integrating education, mission, and community development as part of holistic ministry.

Participants were encouraged to view their new skills as a service to their communities, helping others gain access to opportunities previously limited by illiteracy.

A graduate shared their experience, saying: “Before this training, I am not confident enough. Now I have gained confidence to teach others who are unable to read and write, and I can use these skills to serve God and fellow men”

Leaders affirmed that such initiatives contribute to long-term community transformation, particularly in rural areas where access to formal education remains limited.

The graduation concluded with a call to continue expanding literacy programs across Central Papua Conference, strengthening both community empowerment and mission engagement.

Rose Maine Sinias

The Central Papua Conference (CPC) has officially launched the OneVoice27 initiative on 19–20 of this month, joining the global Seventh-day Adventist Church movement focused on uniting members in prayer, mission, and gospel proclamation leading up to 2027.

The program brought together church leaders, departmental directors, and members under the theme of unity, “one voice for one mission.”

During the launch, the OneVoice program outline for activities over the coming months and into next year was presented by the Stewardship, Sabbath School and Personal Ministries (SSPM) Department.

CPC leadership emphasized that OneVoice27 is part of a global Seventh-day Adventist Church initiative designed to mobilize members for coordinated evangelism, Bible engagement, digital mission, and community outreach.

Members were encouraged to deepen their spiritual commitment through prayer, Bible study, and active involvement in mission activities. Leaders highlighted that OneVoice27 is not a one-time event but a movement calling every member to participate in sharing hope within their communities.

The CPC President underscored the importance of unity in mission, stating that when the church moves with “one voice,” its collective impact is strengthened for gospel outreach.

The initiative concluded with a call for members to actively engage in upcoming activities across the conference territory as the church moves forward in united mission.