The ordination service

General Superintendent Jesse C. Middendorf joined nearly 500 pastors in the Western Highlands province of Papua New Guinea for the seventh national pastors’ conference January 21-25. Pastors from 12 districts across Papua New Guinea had traveled by foot, boat, bus, and airplane, with some walking for several days from remote highland valleys and sailing from isolated island villages to attend this event.

Asia-Pacific Region leaders joined Dr. Middendorf as speakers in this five-day event emphasizing the mission of the Church of the Nazarene: “To make Christlike disciples in the nations.” James Johnson, Melanesia and South Pacific Field Strategy Coordinator, sees the conference as pivotal for helping the church in Papua New Guinea reach its national goal of 100,000 church members by 2016.

On January 23, Dr. Middendorf conducted a mass ordination of elders coming from several districts. One pastor commented, “This was the single most important event in the history of the Church of the Nazarene in Papua New Guinea.”

“I will remember it as one of the most significant and satisfying events of my ministry,” Dr. Middendorf said. “God helped us all, and I am grateful to Him.”