The longest serving Bishop in the history of the United Church in Papua New Guinea has retired.
Right Reverend Laka Renagi served as Bishop of the East Central Papua Region for 20 years, and was instrumental in establishing the David Kini Bible College in the Central Province.
His retirement service was held yesterday, and was witnessed by the church hierarchy including the United Church Moderator, Bernard Siai, elder Reverend Sir Samson Lowa, and Central Province Governor Kila Haoda.
Notable members of the United Church hierarchy were present at the retirement service of retired Reverend Laka Renagi.
He was accompanied by his successor, the new Bishop of East Central Papua Region, Rev. Kora Taboro. Former Moderator Rev. Sir Samson Lowa presided over the Act of Decommissioning and the prayer for blessing.
Ret. Rev. Laka Renagi served 39 years in Ministry in the United Church, 20 of those years was as Bishop of the East Central Papua Region, and the Papua Mainland Region before that. He looked after a total of 19 circuits in the Region under his capacity as a bishop.
He was commended for his contributions to the growth of the church, as well as his strong leadership, vision, and passion.
The retired reverend was also commended for being instrumental in the establishment of the Rev. David Kini Bible College at the Regional headquarters near Kwikila in the Central Province.
His work and contributions to the church have also been recognized at a national level. In 1999, just 3 years into his position as Bishop, the retired reverend was awarded an OBE, Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
