MAF Technologies is helping train pastors to share the Gospel in remote communities.
Pastor Robert Hane and wife Rhoda have spent the past four years training new leaders. Their goal is to plant churches in isolated communities in Papua New Guinea.
They have been able to use the resources from MAF Technologies to train their leaders. These resources prepare pastors for the challenges the church faces in remote areas.
Pastor Robert believes this ministry has reached as far as the Gulf Province borders. A recent advanced leadership training prepared 71 leaders from Yavaipo.
Many of the attendees travelled significant distances, some as far as Menyama district. Yavaipo is approximately 60-70 kilometres north of Bulolo. The rugged route there is challenging.
“The Lord has opened the door to collaborate with MAF Technologies. The ministry has reached far inland in the two districts of Bulolo and Menyamya,” Robert said.
“We have been able to use MAF’s resources, such as print Bibles and audio Bible units. Some of the attendees can’t comprehend God’s word. But it has helped all attendees to lead their congregation.
The leadership training empowers and supports ministry leaders in remote areas. Caine Ruruk, Community and Partnership Officer at MAF Technologies, says it’s the way forward.
“This training is the way forward in equipping and training ministry leaders. They don’t need to have the educational qualification to enter Bible School. All they need is a heart to serve.”
The audio Bible with Christian content recordings and other resources are used to train leaders.
“We thank the Lord for the connection with FNBC and FFC so that we can use the audio and print Bible. It has meant capacity building for church leadership can be achieved,” Caine added.
Danny Sanea, a local pastor and attendee of the training, says the church should play a crucial role in building a healthy community. He says he has seen a decline in both churches and ministry work.
“This has declined as leaders have not fulfilled their roles well,” he said.
“I have learnt a lot of things during this training. As leaders, we must closely indulge in God’s word to lead the flocks. Three leadership functions were introduced in the training. The shepherd guided by the shepherd leadership function was one of them.”
Pastor Roselyn Mairi was able to reflect on her future ministry goals. She praises MAF for providing the training.
"This training has paved a new beginning for me. I appreciate the Lord Almighty for providing these programmes to us,” she said.
Since then, the impact of this event has been fruitful. It has resulted in the formation of four new churches, each with a growing congregation. Most of the pastors and elders in these new churches underwent this training at Yavaipo.
STORY / KOWARA BELL PHOTOS / JOHNSON IRARU & CAINE RURUK
This story was originally published in "Flying for Life - Autumn 2025". To view the full magazine, click here.