Missionaries come home

TWO pioneer missionaries of the Christian Mission Fellowship church returned home for a short break after spending four years in the mission fields of Tanzania, Africa.
Pr Kenny James from Wakunai, Bougainville, and Pr Israel Kolita from Matalau village, East New Britain province, were special guests during the recent CMF churches annual regional conferences which were held in Port Moresby, Rabaul and Lae.
At the Lae conference, both pastors shared their experiences serving among the Wasi and the Maisai tribes of Tanzania.
It was a challenge for them and they were proud to announce that so far, 92 churches had been established and their missionary work was progressing well.
“The mission field needs strong people who are focused and patient without forcing ones’ way in,” Pr Kolita said.
Pr James added that in order to change the local people, you must love them and preach where they are, because of their nomadic lifestyle.
Both missionaries thanked the church in PNG for their prayers and financial support which has helped them a lot in their missionary work in a foreign land.
CMF International president Rev Suliasi Kurulo said Africa was a big continent with more than 50 nations and the concept of sending missionaries as trainers to learn the culture and identify with the local people was working very well.
There are now 250 CMF churches planted in the continent of Africa.
Rev Kurulo said: “If you want to plant something that will last for a season, plant flowers. If you want to plant something that will last a life time, plant trees. But if you want to plant something that will last forever, plant churches.”
Rev Kurulo stressed that the second coming of the Lord is tied with the fulfilment of the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“It’s one thing to be ready for Jesus’ coming, but I believe we should help people,” he said.