Church members may have several motivations to get early to church every week, but for members of the Hagen Park Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mount Hagen, Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea (PNG), the motivation to flock to the sanctuary every Saturday (Sabbath) by 8:00 a.m. is simple.
“We want to find a place to sit,” they say. “And everyone knows that if you want to participate in worship inside, you have to get here early.”
The ever-growing congregation recently finished a remodeling project. On May 2, 2024, Ted N. C. Wilson, General Conference (GC) president, Ramon Canals, GC ministerial secretary, and Aurora Canals, pastoral spouses and families ministry director, among other church leaders, attended the dedication of the remodeled sanctuary and took part in the celebratory musical items and prayers.
Papua New Guinea Union Mission communication director Jacqueline Wari (left) welcomes a church member to the Hagen Park Adventist church on May 4.
[Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
Hagen Park church pastor Richard Jacob (right) coordinates details of the various evangelistic events in Mount Hagen while Papua New Guinea Union Mission communication director Jacqueline Wari listens.
[Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
Hundreds of church members welcomed Seventh-day Adventist leaders to special ceremonies at Hagen Park Seventh-day Adventist Church on May 2.
[Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
On May 2, the Hagen Park Seventh-day Adventist Church dedicated its remodeled sanctuary in the presence of church leaders and hundreds of members.
[Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]
Wilson, who is one of thousands of speakers currently leading evangelistic efforts across PNG, is preaching and lodging one hour away from Mount Hagen in Minj, Jiwaka. During his brief visit on May 2, he shared a meal with dozens of local and international speakers who are leading evangelistic meetings in the third most populous town in PNG.
Besides the rededication of the church sanctuary, church leaders led by Wilson inaugurated the adjoining Hagen Park Care Inn, an initiative of Adventist Possibility Ministries. As soon as the last furnishing details are complete, the center will open its doors to provide services to people suffering from various disabilities, local church pastor Richard Jacob explained.
“On the second floor, we are opening a shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence,” Jacob said. “Those women and their young children will be able to stay at the shelter until they find a way out.”
General Conference, regional, and local church leaders pose for a group photo during the ceremonies at the Hagen Park Seventh-day Adventist Church on May 2.
[Photo: Pastor Ted Wilson Facebook account]
Members of the local church choir welcome Adventist leaders with songs for the inauguration ceremonies on May 2.
[Photo: Pastor Ted Wilson Facebook account]
Inauguration plaque of the new center to serve people with disabilities and mothers and children who are victims of domestic violence.
[Photo: Pastor Ted Wilson Facebook account]
Partial view of the first floor of the new Hagen Park Care Inn, an initiative of Adventist Possibility Ministries.
[Photo: Pastor Ted Wilson Facebook account]
The new Hagen Park Care Inn, which will provide services to people with various disabilities and women and children who are victims of domestic violence.
[Photo: Pastor Ted Wilson Facebook account]
The recently inaugurated Hagen Park Care Inn is an initiative of Adventist Possibility Ministries.
[Photo: Pastor Ted Wilson Facebook account]
This outward-looking initiative might be one of the reasons the Park Hagen church continues to grow. It might also account for the faithfulness of its members. On May 4, two days after the inauguration, there’s standing room only inside the sanctuary as Sabbath School starts. Dozens of others sit outside in the sun or under nearby trees as they try to follow the proceedings.
Inside, the Sabbath School leader asks the crowd how many are first-time guests. More than a dozen people raise their hands. And worship is just starting.
“After an opening program, members are dedicated to study the Sabbath School lesson of the week,” Jacqueline Wari, PNG Union Mission communication director, said. “And that’s just the beginning. Then comes praise and worship, and a divine service. Then many stay to eat their lunches under the trees. And by 4:00 p.m., those who stay participate in another program that ends with a closing-of-the-Sabbath worship. Going to church is a full-day enterprise here.”
The original article was published on the Adventist Review website.
