This year, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG) will be celebrating 139 years since the arrival of the Gospel on our shores. The event is a major highlight in the Church calendar, and as in previous years, districts, circuits, and local parishes across the country have already scheduled it into their annual calendars to mark the occasion in their own communities. It was on the 12th of July that the light came, and as we remember this day, we are reminded that we now carry the duty to ensure that the light continues to shine. The theme for the Lae celebration is “Let the Light of Christ Continue to Shine” (Matthew 5:15), drawn from the broader ELCPNG Synod theme: “Salt of the Earth, Light of the World” (Matthew 5:13–15).
In Lae, preparations are well underway for a central celebration, organized by the ELCPNG Day Committee, led by Rev. Hans Giegere (Evangelism Department Head) and Mr. John Yawing. As in past years, the Lae events aim to bring together the faithful in joyful thanksgiving, while also raising support for the Church’s ongoing mission efforts. The chosen theme, “Let the Light of Christ Continue to Shine,” resonates with the historical truth that on the 12th of July, the light came, and through these preparations, we recommit ourselves to carry that light forward into every part of life and society.
The two main events in Lae are:
- A Thanksgiving Dinner at the Lae International Hotel on Saturday, 12th July 2025 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and
- A combined Bung Lotu (worship service) at Balob Sports Oval on Sunday, 13th July starting at 10:00 AM.
Both events will reflect on the theme, reminding participants that the light that was lit on the 12th of July must not go out, and that it is now our collective mission to ensure Christ’s light continues to shine through our lives, service, and support for the Church’s work.
The 139th anniversary commemorates the beginning of Lutheran mission work in 1886, when German missionaries first arrived at Simbang in Finschhafen. From there, the Gospel spread inland and across the nation, carried not only by missionaries but by the courageous efforts of early local evangelists and laypeople. We celebrate the light that came on that 12th of July, not just as a historical fact, but as a living legacy—and a sacred trust we carry forward by shining Christ’s light in our communities today.
“It is a day of thanksgiving,” said Rev. Hans Giegere, Committee Chairman. “The aim is to support the mission effort of the Church. I call upon all of us to come together to support missions.”
The theme “Let the Light of Christ Continue to Shine” serves as a call for action and unity in mission, grounded in faith and guided by Scripture. On this 12th of July, we remember that the light came, and now it is our duty to keep it burning brightly.
Across the country, ELCPNG congregations will be holding similar events—whether at district level or in their respective parishes—all united in giving thanks for the foundations of faith laid over a century ago, and in support of the ongoing mission work happening today. In every location, the message will be the same: on the 12th of July, the light came, and we are now the ones called to let that light shine ever brighter.
All offerings and thanksgiving collections from the day, including proceeds from the Lae dinner, will go toward:
- Supporting mission projects in regions like Manus, Sepik, Aitape, ARoB, and Papua;
- Assisting pastors and evangelists with urgent ministry and welfare needs;
- Strengthening outreach to remote communities.
Dinner tickets are available at K300 per person or K3,000 per table. For bookings, please contact committee members: Christa Moat (7623 3783), John Yawing (7338 2083), or John Mayang (7223 2049). Your contribution is more than a meal—it is part of keeping the light that came on the 12th of July shining across the land.
This celebration is not only a remembrance of the past but a call to continue the work begun by those who first brought the light of the Gospel to PNG. In unity, the Church invites all members and supporters to stand together in thanksgiving and renewed commitment to the mission of Christ—so that indeed, “the light of Christ may continue to shine” (Matthew 5:15), now and for generations to come.
