South Pacific Division

Enditnow Program on Tanga Island Leads to 11 Baptisms

Women’s ministries team in Papua New Guinea’s Lihir district combines abuse-prevention messages with evangelism and community care.

September 3, 2025

Papua New Guinea

Paul Bopalo, Adventist Record

Delivering care to the vulnerable in the community.

A weeklong enditnow program on the remote Tanga Island in Papua New Guinea’s Lihir district concluded with 11 baptisms, marking a significant step for the growing Adventist community in the region.

From August 21–26, 2025, the Women’s ministries team of the Lihir district, accompanied by district pastors, traveled by boat to conduct open-air evangelism programs and lead seminars focused on preventing abuse, particularly against the elderly and disabled.

Adventism was introduced to Tanga Island only recently, with church work progressing under the leadership of volunteer area pastor Laurie Sita.

During the week, the Women’s ministries team visited elderly and disabled residents, distributing basic goods, praying with families, and offering messages of encouragement. They also presented seminars urging the community to end violence and recognize the dignity of all people as made in God’s image.

Sita welcomed the initiative, noting, “The messages were very powerful, for it was the first of its kind for the islanders. The program rejuvenated the lives of participants and those visited.”

Local resident Serene Arnold also reflected on the impact: “This program helped us recognize our duty as members of the Tanga community to assist the elderly and disabled who are in need—to show love with the passion Christ has for them.”

Organizers reported that participants responded positively throughout the week.

“Now I can see the smiles on people’s faces, which indicates their satisfaction with the impact of the program,” Sita added.

The program concluded with the baptism of 11 individuals, while others responded to an appeal for future baptism.

The enditnow campaign is a global initiative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church aimed at raising awareness and taking action against abuse in all its forms.

The original article was published on the South Pacific Division news site, Adventist Record. Join the ANN WhatsApp Channel for the latest Adventist news.