Imagine
There is a country where, in just a one hour walk, you cross into a completely different language and culture. That culture has no understanding of who Jesus is or what He has done for them. That’s where we’re going: Papua New Guinea. A group of islands with over 850 different language groups in a space the size of California!
Our goal:
To plant a healthy, fully functioning church that thrives without western missionaries — a church with strong believers and wise leaders, reaching out to the surrounding language groups with the same gospel that has changed them.We are committed to seeing mature disciples made among a currently unreached people group. Realistically, that’s an undertaking of at least 15 years.
To see an in-depth church-planting overview, CLICK HERE!
the Timeline:
1. Arrived in country & Learned Melanesian Pidgin
This is the national trade language spoken by a majority of Papua New Guineans. Being fluent in it is critical as we build friendships and minister within the country.
2. Engaged with the church in PNG & Surveyed Konomala
God has been reaching people in PNG for many years, and He’s already established His church among dozens of people groups. We purposefully connected with the national church to join what God is already doing through them.
Then, in conjunction with those churches, we took a “survey trip” into the Konomala language group in order to determine which community would be best for our team to settle in.
3. Built our homes & Moved into the community
Once everything was in order, we had a team of four guys come to help build our’s & Hodgdon’s homes. Nearly thirty people came from other national churches to help build as well. That was amazing! The houses have solar-electric systems for electricity & rain water collection systems for running water.
4. Learned the Konomala language & culture
Our time of language & culture study was absolutely necessary as we looked forward to introducing our friends to their God and Savior.
With the goal of effectively communicating God’s truth, we had to become fluent in people’s heart language. We not only worked to master the language, but we also analyzed the cultural beliefs and worldviews of the Konomala people. Being able to empathize with and deeply understand their worldview would allow us to effectively craft our Bible teaching. We wanted to communicate in a way that contrasts God’s truth with their deeply held beliefs and assumptions. It also enables us to disciple effectively as we integrate truth with real life in their world.
5. Taught through scripture from beginning to end
We began studying the Bible with our friends beginning at God’s Creation, moving to the cross, and eventually concluded the story with God’s re-creation in Revelation. The goal in teaching that way was to set an appropriate biblical framework for all that God wants to continue building in our hearts collectively as the church.
We wanted to lay the cornerstone for a clear understanding of who God is, who we are, and what the God-designed purpose of life really is. This would also lay a firm foundation for continued discipleship and growth as believers.
6. Continue making disciples of Christ
In reality, discipleship began on the first day we arrived in the community. We were representatives of Christ, and were modeling what it looked like to be His disciples. The big picture goal has always been to see a body of believers know Jesus more, progressively mature, and take ownership of the church. The Holy Spirit will continue to lead them, and eventually, we’ll step out of the picture.
Discipling leaders of the church will be a continual process during these early years of the church. As the Holy Spirit leads men to shepherd the church, we will have the privilege of walking through life and ministry alongside them.
We will continue handing off the ministry to our friends, discipling them, and allowing them to follow the Lord. We cannot rush through this. Patience will be key, and in light of the future of the church, it is vital that we don’t try to hurry along the process.
7. Itinerate ministry
There will come a point when it will be more beneficial for the church if our team is no longer living there in the community. At that point, with the Lord’s wisdom, we’ll likely transition to living at a mission center keeping regular contact with the church. Then eventually, we will move into a new stage of life and seek the Lord in how He would have us serve Him moving forward. Lord willing, we’ll be connected with the church for the rest of our lives.
KONOMALA 