Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea National Youth Sunday

ELCPNG Hagen District Youth singing a song when presenting their offering to the ELCPNG National OfficeDrama performed by the Ampo Youth ministry at the Immanuel Youth Hall

Martin Luther Seminary students presenting an item during the Youth Sunday Service at the Immanuel Youth Center

Ampo Youth leading worship with songs and music at the Immanuel Youth Hall during the National Youth Sunday service

By GUTI WARIME of ELCPNG

Every year the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG) observes the first Sunday of May as the National Youth Sunday.

On May 3 this year, all congregations throughout the 17 districts of ELCPNG observed the day in supporting the Youth Ministries with prayers and thanksgiving.
One of ELCPNG’s oldest youth halls, Immanuel Youth Hall, built by the then active Lae Lutheran Youth (LLY) of ELCPNG in the 1970’s, came to life that day.

The Redeemer Parish congregations in Lae city gathered at the hall for Sunday service and many youth participated in leading the worship in music and songs, creative dance and drama.
The secretary of the ELCPNG Evangelism Department, Rev Binora and the ELCPNG National Youth Director, Mr Mileng, were present at the event.

In his speech Rev Binora challenged the youth to fully utilise the Immanuel Youth Hall which has been sitting idle for many years.

He challenged the youth to come up with creative ideas to resurrect the long gone active spirit of fellowship that had moved the LLY in those days when he was a member.

“ELCPNG Youth should fully utilise this big building [Immanuel Youth Hall]!” Rev Binora stressed.
Every year, each of the 17 districts of ELCPNG usually gives their offerings to the National Youth Office (NYO) to show their ownership and support for the youth ministries.

However, due to financial constraints and geographical locations of most congregations, it has been about 10 years since the NYO last sent out invitation to the districts seeking their support.
However, after the event, on May 5 the Highland District of ELCPNG - the ELCPNG-Hagen District Youth - came to present a cash offering of K1557.90 (USD556) to the National Youth Office and some garden food for the staff at the ELCPNG headquarters.

The items included 13 kaukau bags, 12 bunch of banana and bags of fruits and vegetables.
Upon receiving the gifts, the Acting Head Bishop of ELCPNG, Reverend Zau Rapa, thanked them and gave some challenging remarks to everyone who gathered.

“From birth till death, the church is part our life so whatever we do to the Church, we are actually helping ourselves and not another person,” Rev Rapa stated.
The National Youth Director, Mr Mileng, is very pleased and thankful for the gifts of thanksgiving presented to the National Youth Office in Ampo by the Church of Hope Parish in the Jabem District, the Hagen District Youths and other groups.