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).

November 2012 Update

Click here to read our November newsletter

This is a cheater's way of getting caught up on our blog!  We are hoping to get some pictures posted soon of the newly completed Eluklom Church of the Nazarene where our District Assembly was held the first part of November.


We were blessed to share the first Sunday of Advent with two of our Nazarene congregations.  Then in the evening, we attended an international Christian gathering to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season.  We were reminded of the darkness of those days just before Christ was born on earth.  These verses from Colossians 1 captured our attention and led us to glorify the LORD for his wonderful gift to us:  “…the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.  To them (you and us) God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (26-27).”  What a marvelous message we have been given to carry to those in the darkness – a message filled with hope, light, and life!

May the Lord reveal the beauty and reality of his coming in fresh, new insights as we celebrate Jesus!

Have a blessed Christmas!

The Second "Missionary" Journey to the Island of Tanna

Pastor Peter (left) and Pastor Gideon (right) in Lawangi

 The follow-up trip to Tanna on October 11-14 was a great encouragement to everyone involved!  Pastors Peter and Gideon arrived at Lawangi in the midst of a huge downpour.  We had been experiencing a drought for the last few months, so the rain was a blessing, but it made Peter and Gideon's arrival quite difficult!  The truck that had driven them from the airport at Lenakel to Lawangi was not able to traverse the steep road that would take them down to the village of Lawangi.

Chief John with the Lawangi congregation

So, the two pastors accompanied by Chief John had to walk several kilometers without any umbrella or any other protection from the rain!  Needless to say, they and their backpacks were soaked through and through, but it did not dampen their spirits! 















This was Pastor Peter's first visit to Tanna, and he was warmly welcomed and quickly became acquainted with the Christians at Lawangi.

Pastor Peter with some of the Lawangi congregation

The two pastors wasted no time in getting organized to meet with Morrison and the new Christians.  Something they had not expected was that a newly formed cooperative between the villages of Lawangi, Enkateli, and Imarabu had planned to meet in the village to sell some food.  All the villagers attended this event.  In the afternoon, Pastor Peter was asked to preach for the entire group of over 50 people. 

Pastor Peter praying for Morrison and family

 He preached again in the evening and prayed a prayer of dedication over Morrison and Rehab and Baby Abraham as the new pastors for the three new congregations on Tanna.  Morrison's cousin brother, Sam and wife Ellen, expressed their desire to assist Morrison in leading the church!  Praise the Lord!

Imarbu community gathered to hear God's Word

 On October 13th, Pastors Peter and Gideon hiked to Imarabu where they were met by a group of 23 adults and children who were eager to hear the Good News.

Patrick is seated in the middle.

Inapoas Community

A young man named Patrick had expressed a strong desire to care for the congregation there, so Peter prayed for him and committed him to God's direction and guidance.  Please pray for Patrick that he will come to know Christ more and more.










The two pastors hiked on from there for three hours until they arrived at Inapoas.  They again received a warm welcome and were invited to preach to the villagers who had gathered (over 30).

Louise and Aleck - lay leaders at Inapoas

 

Preaching at Inapoas on Wednesday afternoon

 They worshipped again in the evening with even more people attending.  Pastor Gideon preached this time and 8 or 9 people responded to his challenge, coming forward to pray and repent of their sins.  Pastor Gideon's sister, Louise and her husband Aleck, were dedicated to the Lord to oversee the congregation at Inapoas.

Sam - lay leader from Lawangi

Thursday morning, Pastors Peter and Gideon, returned to the airport and headed back to Port Vila.  There was no doubt that God was building his church and establishing the believers in the Word of God.  We praise the Lord for the people that He has raised up to shepherd these new flocks of believers.  They meet each week with Morrison for training in God's Word, then every Saturday, Morrison travels to a different village to lead the worship and to share more from the Word.  All of these new believers and new leaders need our daily prayers to stand strong in their faith and to become Christlike disciples.  Will you join us in praying...

 "... and asking God to fill [these new believers] with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  And we pray this in order that [they] may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that [they] may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified [them] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light."

Colossians 1:9 - 12, NIV