First SPNTC Class Taught on Aniwa Island

Left to right: Natu, Serah, Pastor Morsen, Pastor Sera, Ken, and Pastor Keithly

Eight students from three locations joined together on a southern island of Vanuatu called Aniwa. Pastor Gideon flew south from Port Vila to teach the first SPNTC class at Rena Memorial Nazarene Church located in Ikaokao village. Four of the students were from Aniwa, three were from Tanna Island, and one student (Pastor Keithly Rena) flew from Port Vila. Pastor Keithly had missed the class earlier in the year, and needed the class in order to graduate this coming October. So, he made his way to his home village on his home island to take Evangelism and Church Growth.

Pastor Gideon is gifted as an evangelist and loves teaching this course! One of the activities he had planned was for the students to share the gospel with another person outside of the class. When they were ready to do this activity, the students told him they were afraid. So, he prayed for them and then sent them all out. 

Ken and Pastor Keithly share the gospel with Tony.

Ikaokao village has been the home of a prominent cargo cult for many years - the John Frum cult. Pastor Keithly's father was part of this cult, but before he died, he came to know Rev. Peter Isaac who introduced him to Jesus, the hope of eternal life. Then his father invited the Nazarene Church to come to his village. (For a previous blog telling more of the story, click here.)

When Pastor Gideon sent the students out to find someone to share the Gospel with, he headed to some of his relatives who are followers of John Frum. He shared the message of real hope with this family.

Pastor Gideon's relatives who heard the Good News about Jesus

Besides learning how to share the Gospel, the students learned how to share their personal testimonies of how they came to faith in Christ,  the characteristics of a healthy church, and how to make a difference for Christ in their own communities. Pastor Gideon and his students prepared to hold an outreach event on Saturday and Sunday evenings in Ikaokao village. Students took part by sharing their testimonies, leading the worship and music, and preaching.  The event went well with over 100 in attendance each night and 33 people seeking the Lord at the altar.  

Tony became a believer and follower of Jesus!

God is making a difference in the lives of people in a remote village on a tiny island in the South Pacific, but also in the lives of our pastors and leaders who are eager for the Bible College training that is being offered this year on Tanna and Aniwa islands. Please pray for the hope of the gospel to reach more and more people, bringing transformation to their lives and also to their communities. 

A special fund made this teaching opportunity possible. You can partner with us in making a difference in the lives of our pastors and the communities where they serve by contributing to the travel expenses involved in taking SPNTC classes to the islands by clicking here.

2009 trip to Aniwa with Dr. Becky Morsch, Rev. Peter Isaac, 2 Nazarene Fijian pastors, and Pastor Keithly (far left).