Former drug addicts were among 23 people who were baptized on November 25 at Kita Kore Seventh-day Adventist Church in Dei District of Western Highlights, Papua New Guinea.
The baptisms followed a two-week evangelistic series conducted by district director Pastor Andrew Jacob.
Solomon Paul, communication director for the Western Highlands Mission, said local minister Joe Aki had significantly influenced the lives of the drug-addicted men, who were despised in their community. He reached out to the men after their home was burnt down by members of the community.
“When they were wandering and looking for a place to live, minister Aki built them a house within the church boundary and asked them to come and live there, and he used to feed, mentor and lead them to Jesus,” Pastor Paul said. “In due time most of them repented, gave their lives to Jesus Christ and gave their lives in baptism to Jesus.
“There are about 14 different denominations in that same community, however, most of them lined up to be baptized the next time.”