Sir Bob and Bishop Urame in Germany as PNG and Lutheran Church Mark Shared Milestones
Papua New Guinea’s Governor-General, Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae, is currently in Germany attending the 50th Independence commemoration hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria, one of PNG’s longest-standing church partners. His visit follows the weekend celebration of the 139th anniversary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG), led by Head Bishop Rev Dr Jack Urame, who departs today to join the program in Germany.
The week-long commemorative program, hosted by Mission OneWorld—the global mission agency of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria—highlights the deep spiritual and historical relationship between the churches of Germany and PNG. The Bavarian church, a state church of the Federal State of Bavaria, played a foundational role in establishing the Lutheran mission in PNG in 1886 when missionary Johann Flierl arrived in Finschhafen. From there, the Gospel spread across the country, with major mission centers established in Morobe, Madang, and later the Highlands.
By the time Papua New Guinea gained independence in 1975, the Lutheran Church had already transitioned to local leadership in 1973. In 1976, a year after independence, the ELCPNG became an autonomous indigenous church under its first national Head Bishop, the late Sir Zurewe Zurenuoc. Since then, the ELCPNG has functioned independently from foreign administrative structures and control, while remaining connected to its international partners through shared doctrine, mutual respect, and historical ties.
Today, the partnership continues under the Lutheran Overseas Partner Churches (LOPC), which includes Lutheran churches from Bavaria, Saxony, and other German regions, as well as from Australia, USA, Philippines and West Papua. While the original mission societies no longer administrate ELCPNG, they remain engaged through this partnership network.
The ELCPNG continues to receive support from its German partners through a range of collaborative efforts. German Lutheran missionaries and professionals continue to serve in PNG as theology lecturers, communication officers, doctors, pilots (particularly through MAF), and development experts. Volunteer programs and youth exchange initiatives also sustain cultural and spiritual ties between young people in Germany and PNG.
Sir Bob Dadae’s presence in Germany carries special significance, not only as the representative of the state, but also as a member of the Lutheran faith and a former employee of the ELCPNG. In the early 1990s, before entering politics, he served as Senior Accountant at the ELCPNG Head Office in Ampo, Lae. His journey—from Ampo to Parliament, and eventually to the role of Governor-General—reflects the formative influence of the church in shaping national leadership.
Head Bishop Dr Jack Urame, who now leads the very church where Sir Bob once served, joins the Governor-General this week in reaffirming the spiritual and developmental partnership between PNG and Germany.
While in Germany, Sir Bob is expected to hold courtesy meetings with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Bundestag Vice President Bodo Ramelow, and visit cultural and historical institutions including the Ethnological Museum and the Federal Archives. Following the Germany visit, he will continue to Singapore for a diplomatic meeting with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
The ELCPNG’s 139th anniversary, commemorated under the theme “Let the Light of Christ Continue to Shine”, reaffirms the church’s enduring mission of service, hope, and transformation. As a key development partner in education, healthcare, and rural ministry, ELCPNG’s legacy continues to shape the moral and social landscape of Papua New Guinea.
The dual presence of Sir Bob and Bishop Urame in Germany this week stands as a powerful symbol of unity in faith and national identity, and a testament to the legacy of mission that has become a partnership of equals—rooted in history, but moving forward together.
