A local community leader and his assistant welcoming Dr. Middendorf and other leaders to Dusin, PNG.

On a recent tour of Papua New Guinea (PNG), Jurisdictional General Superintendent for the Asia-Pacific Region Jesse C. Middendorf saw evidence of great maturing of the Church of the Nazarene in PNG. Papua New Guinea Nazarenes know how to celebrate and worship with joyful exuberance, and Dr. Middendorf was privileged to be part of this lively praise atmosphere and holy anointing on hosts of people around altars in numerous district assemblies and rallies in PNG. They have a contagious spirit for attracting new people to Christ and are intentional about their witness.

The PNG Hagen District, formed out of another Highlands district, is only two years old. In that short time they have added 10 newly organized churches, 5 of those in this year. They now have 25 churches, 12 preaching points, and are planning to plant several more in the next year.

The churches of the PNG Bromley District are scattered over rugged mountain ranges. It is necessary for the district superintendent to walk most places—four days to reach the outskirts of his district. Nevertheless, the Nazarenes here have started several new preaching points in the farthest areas. Likewise, the PNG Simbu/Eastern Highlands District has 81 churches and several preaching points, even though the only way to reach over two-thirds of the territory of the district is by walking.

Over 500  people gathered at the airstrip to welcome Regional Director Verne Ward, Field Strategy Coordinator Harmon Schmelzenbach, and General Superintendent Middendorf. The only access is by air. It is a four-day walk to the nearest city.

A similar situation exists in the PNG Middle Ramu District, where there are no roads into Dusin and travel is either by air or a three-day walk. In anticipation of the arrival of the small plane carrying Dr. Middendorf, a crowd of several hundred people lined the fence between the Nazarene property and the landing strip. They began to sing and wave before the landing and continued during the 20 minutes of deplaning, unloading, and greeting Dr. Middendorf and Regional Director Verne Ward. The crowd formed two lines ushering their special Nazarene guests through with smiles, singing, and handshakes. “They placed flowers around our necks and were as welcoming, gracious, and friendly as any people I have met. It was an emotional experience,” related Dr. Middendorf.

The district assembly reports revealed World Evangelism Fund payments exceeding their goal, 424 new Nazarenes (a record for any single year), 5 new preaching points, 3 newly organized churches, and 410 baptisms this year. Some of these churches are a four-day walk from Dusin. According to one man, “The whole area is being taken over by the Church of the Nazarene!”

The highlight of their district assembly was the announcement that they had advanced from a Phase-1 to a Phase-2 district, a significant accomplishment they celebrated with a mu-mu and a feast of 12 roasted pigs and vegetables cooked in underground pits dug into the garden of the local pastor. The crowd of well over 400 included provincial and nearby community leaders.
 
Following the assembly, a very symbolic celebration of the declaration of the district as Phase-2 took place. Four flags were raised with great ceremony. First the American flag was raised with the explanation that the Church of the Nazarene had begun in the U.S. and had sent missionaries out of compassion to bring the message of Jesus and the doctrine of holiness to PNG. The Christian flag was followed by the South Pacific Islands flag indicating that the Church of the Nazarene had come from America to the South Pacific Islands, including PNG. Finally the PNG flag was raised with a proclamation that the Church of the Nazarene is a vital part of PNG and from there would continue to spread around the world. “I was asked to speak after the flags were raised; I found it difficult to do so. It was so humbling to see their love for Christ, His Church, the Church of the Nazarene, and the mission of the Church,” said Dr. Middendorf. He told them that in some future year a nation might raise flags to represent the coming of the gospel to them, and perhaps the PNG flag would be the centerpiece of that ceremony since they were so committed to the mission: “To make Christlike disciples in the nations.”

Additional signs of a maturing PNG church were shown through the report of the district superintendent of PNG Simbu/Eastern Highlands. He challenged the district to remember that over 50 years ago Nazarene missionaries brought the gospel to PNG. “Now,” he said to them, “it is time for us to stop being the ones who receive, and it is time to begin to give back.” He described how the district has now sent the first PNG missionaries, Peter and Jenny Isaacs, to Vanuatu. In November 2009 this district will send the first-ever Work and Witness team from PNG to another nation.

In addition, the PNG Western Highlands District has declined Alabaster funds and Work and Witness teams for church buildings in recent years. Since that decision was made, they have developed a system of constructing new church buildings across the district at their own local expense. “The plan has given them a new vision,” said Dr. Middendorf, “and they are maturing in their ownership of their mission and in their view of the world mission of the Church of the Nazarene.”

Over 1,000 gathered for the dedication of the hospital at Kudjip, PNG.

The final highlight was the dedication of the new Nazarene Hospital and Nurses Training College at Kudjip. The new facility, funded by the Australian Government PNG Incentive Fund, replaces the aging hospital that has served PNG for many years, provides 50 percent more space, and yields far more sterile conditions for compassionate health ministries carried out by Drs. Jim Radcliff, Bill McCoy, Andrew Bennett, and their colleagues. “The doctors poured themselves into the final few weeks of construction, carrying a dual load as physicians and construction workers,” said Dr. Middendorf. “Their passion for the mission of the church is transparent, and their service in medical care is a means to the fulfillment of their call: first of all to be missionaries and then to serve as medical practitioners.”

The hospital dedication was attended by dignitaries from several agencies, tribal leaders, and representatives of the Australian and PNG governments. The day began with a colorful entryway erected over the road leading to the hospital where about 300 people began a procession to the hospital grounds while another 300 people stood by the road. These included singing groups in colorful clothing and woven-flower headdresses and a brass band that led them onto the property and into a large tent erected for the dedication addresses. The crowd grew to overflowing with about 1,000 people. Speeches were given by local civic and tribal leaders and by government officials. Of special blessing was a trumpet trio by the three leading missionary doctors on the hospital staff, Drs. Radcliff, McCoy, and Bennett.

Dr. Middendorf brought the dedication message, followed by a procession to the hospital building itself. Here he was asked to cut the ribbon and pray the dedicatory prayer. The previous hospital had been dedicated by General Superintendent Hardy Powers in 1968, and Dr. Middendorf expressed gratitude for the honor of participating in carrying on a vital ministry.