Lutheran youth conference ends in Buang

By Pastor SAKARIA MALELAK

Post-graduate student

Martin Luther Seminary

 A week-long Lutheran Jabem district youth conference came to an end in Bulandem parish, Buang circuit today.

Pr Gedisa Okamaisa delivering his speech.

The conference started last Monday September 20 and ended today.

It finished on a high note with Malalo circuit who won the bid to host the 2011 Jabem district youth conference.

Conference participants came from all 14 circuits that make up Jabem district including Kaiapit, Sangan, Wantoat, Wampar, Lae, Lae City, Laulu, Deka, Jabem, Malalo, Buang, Menyamya, Aseki and Kaintiba.

A total of 600 participants attended this conference.

Fog covers the conference area

The theme of the conference was “Wokabaut wantaim bilong ol bilip man meri insait long pasin bilong laikim (Walking with faith and love).

Bulolo MP Sam Basil was invited to declare the winners of the newly-elected executives with Araba Saia as the new district youth coordinator with a new secretary.

Jabem district president Pastor Gedisa Okamaisa accompanied by the nomination committee Paul Siwari and his chairman Pastor Douglas Tukiti ran the elections which saw the new executives voted into place.

Conference chairman

 Basil delivered a strong message to the Jabem district youths to use their Christian principals to guide them in their decision-making because the future was in their hands.

Bad leaders with bad decisions riddled with corruption has brought Papua New Guinea this far where  after 35 years we are still wondering what went wrong.

2012 elections is fast approaching, therefore, electing a good leader can make some difference.

A leader who has been exposed to private or public sector management with good and quality leadership experience can make a good leader.  

A leader who thinks from the heart makes good decisions.

 The onus is now with the youth of today to find those leaders in the next general elections and bring them into parliament.

Buang scouts leading Bulolo MP Sam Basil and delegates into the conference area

The conference ended today with Holy Communion service, after which delegates from the 14 circuits head back home.