Four ordained during mission

FOUR ministers, three from Manus, were ordained as pastors with the Madang-Manus mission of the SDA church last week.
The ordination ceremony took place during the Manus provincial meeting held from Sept 21-26.
These meetings are held every five years.
Madang-Manus mission general secretary Pastor Allan Aili said among them was Rata Sapula, who was ordained a pastor after serving as a Gospel minister in the church for 21 years.
The others ordained were Vai Kopia Akia of Kerema, Anthony Harry and Obert Mathew of Manus.
Pr Aili said after the ordination, the four pastors baptised 21 people and they would be posted to several locations within the Madang-Manus mission.
He said the meeting was officially opened by Manus Governor Michael Sapau and witnessed by many people.
Pr Aili said Mr Sapau also committed 10% of the provincial budget to fund all churches in the province while Manus Open MP and Inter-Government Relation Minister Joe Pomat committed his discretionary fund to assist all churches in the province.
“As a pastor, I am happy that leaders are recognising the work of the church in the development of the country,” he said.
He said churches played an important role as partners in the overall development of the nation and the commitment made by the two leaders was applauded.
Meanwhile, Mr Sapau said the Manus provincial government promoted and encouraged integral human development in which the Government and its partners, like the churches, wished to address the needs of the people.
He said his government was committed to working closely with the churches as they deliver the moral and spiritual life of the people.
Mr Sapau said through the churches of council, his government had allocated 10% of the development budget to the churches.