Prime Minister James Marape has urged churches to serve as the unifying factor and anchor of Papua New Guinea’s ethnolinguistically varied populace.
When he declared that the government will be heavily involving churches in celebrations of the 50th anniversary of independence in 2025, the prime minister made the call.
On Tuesday, the Prime Minister met with pastors and church employees from across the nation during a Christmas luncheon in Port Moresby city where he reminded the spiritual leaders of the importance of integrating people into a loving culture that is based on God, the Creator.
“If we do not secure our people with the love that we preach about at the foundational level – true love for each other that is anchored in the love for Christ – then our efforts are in vain.”
“True love transcends beyond the family, beyond our tribe and goes outward toward everyone. It is anchored in the love for the Creator.”
“True love unites and bonds. For a nation as diverse as ours, we need this kind of love, this unity.”
“In our country of so much diversity, no other philosophy, no other dogma, or teaching that is devoid of Christ can hold our country together.”
“Real authentic Christian teaching has all ingredients of unity in it.”
“The Church has a great role to play to help people see the bigger meaning of life, to recognize their place in life, in their communities and country.”
At a time when the nation was dealing with numerous social issues, he said, this was particularly crucial.
He gave a very personal example of how the church affected his life, since Bougainvillean missionaries raised his father, married him off to his mother, and eventually gave birth to him.
In addition, Prime Minister Marape recognized the significant contribution that churches have made to the provision of health and education during the colonial era and in the years following independence, up to the present.
“Church has preceded government in most parts; we cannot ignore the role churches play, and we have to give churches their rightful place as we step into our 50th anniversary.”
“Next year, churches will be involved heavily in our activities for the 50th anniversary.”
As the nation approaches its 50th anniversary, Prime Minister Marape also urged churches to help spread the message found in Leviticus 25: return to the land.
Meantime, the Prime Minister leaves today to join the people of Bougainville for the 100th anniversary celebration of the Seventh Day Adventist mission in Bougainville.
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