Churches get funding

 TWO church congregations in Western will see its buildings improved following the receipt of two separate lots of funding of K260,000 from Western Governor Ati Wobiro.

Wobiro’s second secretary Kayama Sinba presented the first cheque for K60,000 to McFarlane Memorial Church in Old Mawata village in Kiwai LLG of South Fly, last Dec 20. The cheque was received by the church treasurer Waraka Sepa.

Sinba said the money would be used by the church to improve its existing building and the pastor’s house.

It is the first United Church congregation founded in the province on July 17, 1871, and from there the Gospel extended into other parts of the province.

Sinba also presented a cheque for K200,000 for a new church building for Rouku United Church in Morehead LLG, which was received by Morehead circuit minister Rev Gainde Waiwai in Daru on Jan 6.  

The church was the first to be established in the LLG and from there, the Gospel spread to other nearby areas. 

Sinba said the provincial government under the leadership of Wobiro believed in partnering with churches because they worked alongside with the Government to serve the people.

“We want to treat the churches as partners,” Sinba said.

“There is a strong relationship with the provincial administration and the church. “The churches provide services like health and education to the people.”

Sinba said the provincial government had allocated K500,000 under the provincial services improvement programme to help churches this year.