Lutherans celebrate 75 years in Simbu

THE Lutheran church Simbu district has celebrated their 75th anniversary for being in the province and the Highlands region last weekend.
The event coincided with the eighth national Pastors conference which is underway in Kundiawa, Simbu province.
Morobe Governor Luther Wenge and two Lutheran sons and prominent lawyers Kelly Naru and Kerenga Kua, who were part of the special guests, cut the anniversary cakes to officiate at the ceremony.
A drama performed by young boys and girls, who were members of the Gonkiglai congregation, and Steven Bomai, were highlights at the event.
Some pioneering missionaries were also presented with gifts of pillows and blankets in recognition and appreciation of their part in helping to establish the church.
Community leader Siune Kua, in welcoming the guests, challenged the pastors to live as shinning examples of good habits and practice what they preached from the pulpits.
He pointed out that some pastors and church leaders did not practise what they preached, saying they go drinking and misbehave contrarily to what they preach.
Young boys and girls who performed a drama showed how pioneer missionary Rev William Bergmann came to Ega to establish the first Lutheran church.
The drama highlighted how the Rev Bergmann met the first local people of Kamaneku tribes and how they gave him the land to establish the church.
Main character of the drama, 16-year-old Kerenga Saki killed a pig poured and its blood on a tanget (plant) to be planted at the boundaries to separate the land given to the missionary and the part for the locals.
Other notable guests witnessing the 75th anniversary were Lae MP Bart Philemon, Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Joe Mek Teine, former district commissioner of Simbu Jerry Nalau, acting head bishop of Lutheran church Rev Zau Rapa, Kundiawa town mayor Teine Sogan, and pastors from Lutheran church establishments around the country who were there for the conference.
Mr Naru presented K20,000 towards the hosting of the Pastors National Conference and another K5,000 towards the Ega circuit and K10,0000 towards the hosting of the 75th anniversary.