A profile of Bishop Reverend Doctor Wesley Kigasung
Wesley Waekesa Kigasung comes from Aluki village in the Bukawa area of Morobe Province.
He was born on July 16, 1950, and is married to Susie Manempen Kigasung of Mindere village in the Rai Coast area of Madang Province.
The Kigasungs are blessed with two daughters and two grand daughters.
The young Wesley Kigasung received primary education in remote Menyamya and later on Siassi Island where he did secondary schooling at Gelem High School (now Siassi High School) from1966 to 1968.
He completed High school at Asaroka Lutheran High School in Goroka, Eastern Highlands in 1969.
Kigasung attended Martin Luther Seminary from 1970-1975 and graduated in 1975 with Diploma of Theology and Bachelor of Theology.
He received further studies at the University of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby from 1976 – 1978 and graduated from the University in 1979 with the degree of Master of Arts majoring in history of PNG).
From 1979 to 1980 he served as Circuit Pastor in remote Kaintiba, Gulf Province.
In 1981 Kigasung was called to teach at Martin Luther Seminary in Lae until the end of 1982.
In March 1983 he left with his family for Germany for language studies.
Towards the end of 1984 he again left for further studies in Chicago, USA, where he graduated in 1986 with the degree of Master of Theology at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago.
Kigasung continued studies for his doctoral degree and completed all doctoral work in 1989, when he received the degree Doctor of Theology from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago.
He resumed work as Lecturer at Martin Luther Seminary towards the end of 1989.
In 1991 he was appointed Principal of Martin Luther Seminary and served as Principal until 1997.
In January 1998 Kigasung was elected Head Bishop of the church at the Kimbe Synod.
Kigasung is widely respected as an intellectual and a leading preacher of the word of God in this country.
“I believe it is a special gift from God,” he says of his skills as an orator.
“From my early years in school I already developed the skill of speaking in front of my peers.
“Through the years I have challenged myself to develop my abilities in order to serve well.
“I like to read a lot and I have read lots of books on leadership and other books that help to develop my skills in working and communicating with people.
“My philosophy in life is to do well in a given task; to face life and responsibility without fear and doubt; to take criticisms and face difficult situations with humility and respond with positive attitude and be more proactive rather than being reactionary.”
Kigasung concludes with how he finds the job as leader of all Lutherans in PNG as well as his future.
“It is not easy,” he says frankly of his job.
“Very challenging and very demanding.
“But there is much joy and satisfaction in serving God's people.
“I find much joy in meeting people of different cultures and different works of life and back ground and of different nationalities.
“You see and experience God's wonders and life in the faces of these different people in the church.
“I leave my future in God's hand.
“This is my last term as Head Bishop.
“I hope and pray that the Lord will grant me good health and strength to serve him in another role after this final term as bishop.”
Wesley Waekesa Kigasung comes from Aluki village in the Bukawa area of Morobe Province.
He was born on July 16, 1950, and is married to Susie Manempen Kigasung of Mindere village in the Rai Coast area of Madang Province.
The Kigasungs are blessed with two daughters and two grand daughters.
The young Wesley Kigasung received primary education in remote Menyamya and later on Siassi Island where he did secondary schooling at Gelem High School (now Siassi High School) from1966 to 1968.
He completed High school at Asaroka Lutheran High School in Goroka, Eastern Highlands in 1969.
Kigasung attended Martin Luther Seminary from 1970-1975 and graduated in 1975 with Diploma of Theology and Bachelor of Theology.
He received further studies at the University of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby from 1976 – 1978 and graduated from the University in 1979 with the degree of Master of Arts majoring in history of PNG).
From 1979 to 1980 he served as Circuit Pastor in remote Kaintiba, Gulf Province.
In 1981 Kigasung was called to teach at Martin Luther Seminary in Lae until the end of 1982.
In March 1983 he left with his family for Germany for language studies.
Towards the end of 1984 he again left for further studies in Chicago, USA, where he graduated in 1986 with the degree of Master of Theology at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago.
Kigasung continued studies for his doctoral degree and completed all doctoral work in 1989, when he received the degree Doctor of Theology from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago.
He resumed work as Lecturer at Martin Luther Seminary towards the end of 1989.
In 1991 he was appointed Principal of Martin Luther Seminary and served as Principal until 1997.
In January 1998 Kigasung was elected Head Bishop of the church at the Kimbe Synod.
Kigasung is widely respected as an intellectual and a leading preacher of the word of God in this country.
“I believe it is a special gift from God,” he says of his skills as an orator.
“From my early years in school I already developed the skill of speaking in front of my peers.
“Through the years I have challenged myself to develop my abilities in order to serve well.
“I like to read a lot and I have read lots of books on leadership and other books that help to develop my skills in working and communicating with people.
“My philosophy in life is to do well in a given task; to face life and responsibility without fear and doubt; to take criticisms and face difficult situations with humility and respond with positive attitude and be more proactive rather than being reactionary.”
Kigasung concludes with how he finds the job as leader of all Lutherans in PNG as well as his future.
“It is not easy,” he says frankly of his job.
“Very challenging and very demanding.
“But there is much joy and satisfaction in serving God's people.
“I find much joy in meeting people of different cultures and different works of life and back ground and of different nationalities.
“You see and experience God's wonders and life in the faces of these different people in the church.
“I leave my future in God's hand.
“This is my last term as Head Bishop.
“I hope and pray that the Lord will grant me good health and strength to serve him in another role after this final term as bishop.”
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