On 17 February 2026, the team at Nazarene Health Ministries (NHM) in Kudjip, Papua New Guinea, launched a strategic plan, rededicating the hospital to its holiness legacy.
While the plan outlines robust goals for infrastructure and medical excellence, the headline story is a deliberate, joyful return to the ministry’s core DNA: Holiness.
Since 1967, the Nazarene Hospital at Kudjip has been a beacon of hope in the highlands. But the new roadmap, introduced by CEO Joseph Sika and Field Strategy Coordinator Peniperite Fakaua, declares that physical healing is just the beginning.
“Our dedicated work is a powerful demonstration of God’s grace,” said Fakaua. “This plan will help us deepen our holistic impact, connecting physical healing with spiritual depth.”
The new strategy moves beyond general “Christian values” to specific, measurable spiritual goals. Key initiatives include:
- Recruiting a New “Director of Spiritual Health”: A dedicated executive role to ensure that the spiritual vibrancy of the hospital is prioritized alongside medical operations.
- The “Saline Solution”: Training for doctors and nurses to naturally integrate spiritual conversations and prayer into patient rounds, ensuring every patient hears the gospel.
- Intentional Discipleship: A commitment that the hospital remains a sanctuary where staff are not just employees but disciples growing in their vocation.
The launch was a true family affair, reflecting the relational heartbeat of Papua New Guinea. The program featured voices from across the church and community, including representatives from the Nazarene College of Nursing (NCON), Nazarene Missions Services (NMS), and the Jiwaka Provincial Health Authority.
Staff members and missionaries, many still in scrubs, joined despite hospital duties and bowed their heads as Thomas Kaiye led a devotion based on Proverbs 16:3. Kaiye reminded everyone that plans are successful only when committed to the Lord.
Sika emphasized that this initiative is a “living document” designed to guide the ministry into a future of efficient, high-quality, and—most importantly—compassionate care.
“I am proud to lead an organization that is dedicated to making a meaningful difference… bringing not only physical healing but spiritual hope,” Sika stated.
The ceremony concluded with a ribbon-cutting and commissioning prayer by District Superintendent Andrew Akus.
The Church of the Nazarene in Papua New Guinea and Nazarene Health Ministries requests prayer for the recruitment of an incoming Director of Spiritual Health; for the staff as they balance heavy medical caseloads with this renewed call to evangelism; and for the Nazarene General Hospital to continue to be a light on a hill in the Jiwaka Province.