Manase becomes Alotau’s first Lutheran minister

Faith, Normal
Source:

The National, Thursday July 19th, 2012

By LESLIE OMARO in Alotau
THE Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea created history on Sunday when a local from Misima was ordained as the first Lutheran pastor for its Alotau church.
It was a moment to celebrate for Pr Michael Manase when he was ordained by the head bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran church Rev Giegere Wenge.
Wenge encouraged Manasa to be God’s messenger and preach and share the gospel with no compromise and or fear.
“I want the Alotau congregation to work together with  Pr Manasa to carry out the Lord’s work,” Wenge said.
“Pr Manase gave up his good job and pay because he had a conviction by the Holy Spirit to do the Lord’s work.
“He left his work to follow Jesus,” he said.
Manase, 32, from Bwagabwaga village, on Misima Island, went to the Martin Luther Seminary in Lae, Morobe, to study theology from 2006 to 2011.
It was a long and trying journey for Manase before he became a Lutheran pastor.
Before that he went to study at the United Church Bible, at Rabe, followed by a three-year study at Jubilee AOG Bible College in Port Moresby.
It was a sad occasion for Manasa’s family as they officially released him to the Lutheran church during the ordination.