For training ministers Hobert Berry and Kennedy Mark, their journey has been one of spreading the word of God and bringing hope to those in need within the Adventist community. Both ministers were attending Sonoma Adventist College, where they received their training and education.

Their journey began at the Markham two district ACS Federation in Sankiang, where they led out in the dawn prayer session during their first week. 

The following week, they joined the Wankun Pathfinders and attended the Morobe mission Pathfinder Fair at Klin Wara. There, they conducted morning devotions at the campsite, inspiring and uplifting our little pathfinders and their leaders.

In their third week, the church sent them to Nasrua to conduct visitations and Bible studies with the church members there. They also ran a one-week revival meeting, bringing renewed faith and energy to the church community.

During their final week, they conducted a one-week indoor evangelistic meeting at Wankun and Bumpuap Church. Throughout their journey, they were kind and friendly to all church families and the community as well, spreading love and compassion wherever they went.

A farewell gathering was organized by the church members and administration of Wankun on Sunday afternoon at the church ground. Elder Russel Sari and Max Numbi spoke on behalf of the church families and administration, expressing their appreciation and thanks for the training ministers’ service. Gifts were presented to Hobert Berry and Kennedy Mark by the church members, along with some money as a token of gratitude.

As they said their goodbyes, Elder Matthew James spoke on behalf of the congregation: “Training ministers Kennedy Mark and Hobert Berry, we were blessed with your wonderful messages this week, and we hope God will bless both of you in your ministry work. We are grateful to Sonoma Adventist College for providing us with this opportunity to have you serve at Wankun Seventh-Day Adventist Church.” With handshakes and warm wishes, the training ministers bade the church farewell as they prepared to depart the following day.

Preparations are in full swing for the dedication of a new company church of Wankun Seventh-Day Adventist Church at Division 3 near Gusap Downs. A group of leaders and members have already set up camp on site to assist with the preparations before the dedication service on June 10th, 2023.

A stage was erected and decorated just next to the church for the ceremony. Also, a revival meeting was also conducted by David M Adzab who is a trained missionary volunteering at Wankun Seventh-day Adventist Church.

A representative will be sent from Morobe Mission to officiate the event at the end of the week. This marks another milestone for Wankun as its company churches continue to grow and expand their territories.

The dedication service, scheduled for this coming Sabbath, promises to be a momentous occasion for all involved. It is a great blessing for all the church members of Division 3 to have a church of their own to worship in.

This is a story of faith and trust in the Lord about two young missionaries who met God in His vineyard. Benjamin Patana and Russell Daniel come from a small village in the Markham Valley of Morobe Province.

After graduating from Sonoma Adventist College with a diploma in Theology in 2021, they were not successful in acquiring a job as expected, which landed them both back in their village at Wankun.

Back in their village, they met their church pastor Enepo Umba, who played a very important role in helping them to utilize their skills and serve in their local church back at home.

While serving as volunteers in the church there have been countless challenges that both Russell and Benjamin had to encounter back at their village church. “We have to support our work financially which is one of our biggest challenges,” recalled Benjamin. “Apart from that, we also face other challenges too as well, but we thank God that He has strengthened us through the support of our church leaders and congregations,” he added.

After a year of serving voluntarily, they received news from the local mission that they had been accepted into the mission to work as volunteer missionaries under the Volunteer in Action (VIA) program. It was a big relief for Benjamin and Russell to finally make it into the mission workforce at last. Not long after, within a month, they were both promoted to full-time employment.

Recalling all the struggles that they both had to endure just to serve even without pay, they thank God and the executive committee for choosing them to join the mission workforce, added Russell.

Upon receiving their postings, Benjamin Patana was called to serve in the Marawaka District as the church pastor of the Marawaka Seventh-Day Adventist Church, while Russell Daniel was called to serve in the neighboring village church of Banabin as their church pastor. On May 12th, Benjamin was finally flown into Marawaka to begin his ministry career.

Russell, the last remaining missionary of the two back in Wankun, joined them one final time on Sunday for their Adventurer Fun Day trip to the Rainforest Habitat in Lae. He will now begin his ministry career as a full-time church pastor at Banabin.

Upon farewelling the duo at their farewell gathering, the church thanked them saying, “We praise God and thank Him for all that He has done through Russell and Benjamin and their work here at Wankun Seventh-Day Adventist Church. With the same spirit that they started their journey as missionaries here, we believe that it will continue to flourish wherever they set their feet and we wish them God’s blessings,” they added.

Wankun is now focusing on grooming its young generations to become good citizens and disciple makers in the community. 

Today, Wankun joins in the celebration of World Adventurer Day. This special event takes place every third Sabbath of May and is dedicated to allowing Adventurers to revel in their identity and showcase the positive impact they have on their church and community.

The program began with a parade as all the Adventurers gathered outside the church before marching in, led by their club flag. The highlight of the day’s program was the main service, presented by Dylan Dega, an active member of the Adventurer Club.

The event was a resounding success and served as a powerful reminder to the church community about the vital role it plays in nurturing the growth and development of its young members.