Hosting standard set for synods

THE Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea’s (ELCPNG) Immanuel district has set a new standard in hosting a synod.
It was an eye opener for delegates and observers coming from the 16 church districts, overseas visitors from Germany, Australia and the United States of America, political leaders from Morobe, Southern Highlands, former political leaders and other MPs including those that went to be part of the event.
The district president Rev Tande Tumbo said that it took them seven months to complete all infrastructures needed to be used for the synod.
Rev Tumbo said the synod committee and Lutheran members from their five circuits of Tiripini, Wabi, Ialibu, Mendi and Imbonggu worked hard in raising funds in whatever ways they could to ensure synod facilities were built to host the week-long meeting.
“In our planning, we make a stand not to hire any facilities to host this synod but develop Ialibu mission station land where our district headquarter is,” Tumbo said.
“We are satisfied and happy that the stand we make has seen tremendous developments of infrastructures and we thanked everyone who have supported us in whatever ways they can.”
The district now has 20 permanent houses, 20 semi-permanent houses, and an improved 2.8km road, water supply (bore), 2km of power lines providing electricity, a sound system and a synod hall.
Rev Tumbo said they were ready to partner with any donors from the government, non-governmental organisations, churches and private sectors to run programmes, activities, and training using the facilities.
Ialibu-Pangia MP and former prime minister Peter O’Neill said he was willing to work closely with the district to discuss ways to utilise the facilities built.
He appreciated their effort adding that the infrastructures that was delivered for the synod of roads, telecommunication, power, hall and buildings were key builders of any society.
It was only a five-day synod, and they achieved a lot of basic infrastructure that would last years and benefit the upcoming generations.