Church Planting and Bible Translation in Papua New Guinea
Mission impossible? No, mission commanded. And mission enabled.
In Matthew 28:19-20 we read that Christ commands us, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
God has given us his Word. We must take that Word, go to the nations, and proclaim it. When people respond to the gospel and put their faith in Christ as their Lord and Saviour we then teach them all that he has commanded in his Word. We teach them how to study it and apply it to their lives. Then, they take that Word and proclaim it to others. This is what it means to be and make disciples (see 2 Tim 2:2).
For this reason our mission is to:
- Preach the gospel to the tribes of the Finisterre Mountains of PNG
- Teach believers all that Christ has commanded us
- Translate the Bible so that believers can study it and proclaim it to others, and go and make disciples. . .
Christ commands us to make disciples, and he enables us. We have seen this throughout our ministry at Grace Fellowship Pretoria and look forward to seeing how God continues to do this in the future.
The Biblical Mandate
These are some of the verses that God has used to encourage us to pursue ministry in Papua New Guinea:
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20
For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”
Romans 12:11-15
The things you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
2 Timothy 2:2
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.
2 Timothy 2:8-10
. . .from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:15-17
