The Church of the Nazarene in Papua New Guinea celebrated a milestone last month as they sent their first Work & Witness team to another country. From the end of March until the second week of April, the Chimbu/Eastern Highlands District W&W team raised funds for airfare and traveled to Vanuatu to work on the district center.

Over the years, many Work & Witness teams have traveled to Papua New Guinea to participate in various projects, including construction, evangelism, and medical ministry. PNG churches and communities are grateful for these teams' blessings and wanted to pass them on to others.

In preparation for the trip, the Chimbu/Eastern Highlands District raised more than 50,000 Kina (US$15,762).

“This is worth celebrating,” said Harmon Schmelzenbach, MSP field strategy coordinator. "This is what we’ve been praying for … and God has been faithful to respond to the hearts and the efforts of this great Work & Witness team of Nazarenes from Chimbu/Eastern Highlands!”

The team was led by Mundi Dama with the help of Adam Peterson, Melanesia-South Pacific field W&W coordinator. Vanuatu District Superintendent Peter Isaac was in charge of overseeing the project in the area.

“We are excited to see Papua New Guinean Nazarenes moving upward and outward like never before as they continue to advance into strong Kingdom leadership, reflecting the heart of Christ and partnering with God for His glory and the expansion of His Kingdom!” Schmelzenbach said.

The Church of the Nazarene in Papua New Guinea anticipates this team is the just the first of many more to come.

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific