3,000 gather for church opening

By ELIAS LARI
MORE than 3,000 members of the Nazarene church gathered last Saturday to open their new church building at Banning, Anglimp-South Waghi, Jiwaka.
The Shiloh Nazarene church was built by Asi­la Security Ltd mana­ging director Michel Paa, who used his own money and resources to fund the building a pastor’s house.
The church faithful came from the pro­vince and other parts
of PNG to witness the occasion.
It was what Paa had been planning since 1998 to build a place of worship for God.
Paa was described as the first businessman in PNG to build a church.
He slaughtered more than 50 pigs and two cows and presented a brand new mini Dyna truck to the carpenter who built the church during the opening.
“I have to give back to God who is the source that blessed me with my business, wisdom and knowledge,” Paa said.
“I never sought any form of assistance from any organisation to build the church because I love God. All I had to do was to make some money somewhere using my knowledge given to me by God to erect the church building.
 “I thank the Lord for giving me wisdom to ope­rate this way.”
Paa said there were many challenges and urged people addicted to alcohol and marijuana, or involved in tribal fights, gambling and stealing to change and start finding their purpose in life.
 “You must not blame anyone when you do not see anything good happening in your life.
“It is you who make the decision to become who you are on this earth because God has blessed us,” Paa said.