MP sees churches as vital tool for development

By PETER WARI
The government will support churches because they are playing an important role in national development, says Tari-Pori MP James Marape.
He said that he would support the work of churches in the district.
“The province would not have come this far without the churches’ contribution to service delivery,” he said at the Hoiebia mission station during the United Church’s golden jubilee celebrations..
“Because of the churches’ work, people are living better lives. But this good work is bombarded by law and order problems. Together the government and churches will address these problems.”
Marape paid tribute to the people who had toiled to spread the gospel in remote areas and lost their lives in the process. He also commended the elderlies who provided service without any monetary benefits.
“I am thankful to the elderly people as they did work with their hearts in the name of service and not money,” he said.
A stone was engraved at the church to mark the 50 years of mission work.
Bishop Wai Tege said a few old people were still around but many had died.