The Church of the Nazarene has opened its new Pit Nazarene Church building, including a pastor’s residence at the back, following a week-long Women’s Convention that coincided with Papua New Guinea’s 51st Independence celebration.
The Hagen District Women’s Convention brought together mothers from across the district, many leaving the comfort of their homes to attend.
Hagen District Superintendent Peter Degene said mothers carry a lot on their shoulders, referencing the biblical story of the Samaritan woman at the well.
“The Bible tells us about the Samaritan woman by the well who encountered Jesus. The story is found in John 4:1-42 where Jesus crosses cultural and social barriers to offer spiritual life,” DS Degene said.
“I urge all you mothers to leave your old buckets here and be filled with the spiritual water that never dries.
“He urged the women to take the word of God back to their families.
“Go spread the word of God to your husbands and children,” he said.DS Degene said 15 children were baptized during the convention, along with 45 adults who declared themselves as followers of the Church of the Nazarene.
“I will come back and check on you the 45 to make sure you live up to your calling,” he said, calling on the newly baptized mothers to bring one more lost soul into the church.
Western Highlands Province Governor Wai Rapa, who was the keynote speaker, stressed the importance of women empowerment.
“Mothers can make a difference in the community. They make a house a home to live in,” Governor Rapa said.
He thanked all the women who came to his community for the convention and urged fathers to respect mothers and all women in Western Highlands Province.
The convention ended with the official ribbon cutting of the church that was built in 2024 and now stands out in the community with its bright colours of blue, red and yellow and a high post self-contained home.
