SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST MISSION
International – Papua New Guinea / Malawi Africa
P.O. Box 60150 Ndirande Bt. 6 Blantyre Malawi /
P.O. Box 233 – Mt Hagen (WHP) Papua New Guinea
Tanggi Mission Station – North Koroba, Hela Province, PNG
Missionary / Evangelist: Peter A. Halliman
Email: panagioite04@gmail.com  /  Website: sgbm-malawi-africa.com

Date: 28th February 2023

Dear Pastor, Church, and All Supporters:

1 Corinthians 16:15 — I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.)

We come to the close of another month. I wonder how many around the world within the family of GOD have addicted themselves to the ministry of GOD — and how much useless rubbish people are actually addicted to that has no redeemable value.

This month of February has been very busy. First, there was a two-week break from the Bible Academy training. Some pastors, who are also fathers and husbands, needed to see to their children’s schooling. Due to much tribal fighting in the Hela Province, many schools have closed, civil services have halted, and many people have fled to other provinces for safety. This affects families and children too.

This two-week break from the school did not mean I had a break. Rather, it meant I had time off from teaching in order to direct my energies into the construction of a new home for the twenty-five pastors and students.

I worked with several men. The materials are raw but strong and good: trees cut and split into posts, sides made from woven reed grass dried into a waterproof material that lasts for years if secured properly. The roofing was finished with corrugated iron sheets, gutters attached, and downpipes leading into two water-holding tanks. Much landscaping was done and outside toilets were dug and sheltered. I made two trips from a river about a mile and a half from the site, transporting river rocks and sand in the big truck — thank the LORD for Ebenezer Grace, that is her name.

The other building was intended as a new church building but would also serve as a classroom. I made a blackboard, and with four clear-sheeting panels providing ample natural light, there is no need for electric lights. The church building was constructed in the same manner as the student house.

The days were long, the nights short, and the time passed quicker than expected, but much energy and labour was redeemed in those days.

On the 24th and 25th of this month we had special services at a place called Banz, in the Jiwaka district, about an hour and a half from Mt. Hagen. A group of thirteen people had been meeting there for eleven years and wanted to be organised into an Independent Baptist Church, but no one would honour this — mostly due to wanting to control GOD’S money. I had given notice four months ago that I would see to it that they were constituted into a New Testament Baptist Church. I advised them to pray about a pastor but say nothing to anyone — the H.S. would direct them.

I left early on Saturday the 24th and drove to the venue with a vehicle loaded full of people. The entire day we spent at the venue. A traditional PNG mumu was prepared while I preached on the subject of “A Church with Power and Purpose.” The building was packed, and the LORD met with us for this great worship service. After the meal in the afternoon, I prepared to return home.

Being a full day, I was quite tired and needed to study for Sunday, which would be even longer — the church organisation service would take place with all its protocol.

I left Sunday morning at 06:00 and returned that afternoon at 5:30 pm. The service was blessed by our LORD. All thirteen people were former members of an already established church, lettered out, and church authority was handed over. I preached the message and charge to the new church, with ordained pastors helping in the song service and prayers.

They called a man as their pastor. Before he accepted, I asked him to give his testimony of how and when GOD called him to preach. We don’t want men called by man or even by the church — we want GOD-called men. Perhaps that is the problem with too many so-called Baptist churches: they have man-made preachers.

Pastor Harry had a wonderful testimony and accepted the invitation from the church. The day ended with great fellowship and good weather. Many had to walk out to the main road to catch public transport, while I took a vehicle load of children, mothers, and some men. Crossing a river, someone took a short video — if anyone wants this, find me on WhatsApp.

In His Name,

Missionary Peter Halliman