PRIME Minister James Marape has committed K200, 000 to help facilitate the upcoming 34th Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG) Synod.
On top this, Southern Highlands Governor William Powi further committed K100, 000, bringing the total funding commitments to K300, 000.
These commitments were made during the launching of five-year development plan for Kagua Erave electorate on the 28th of December 2023.
It is understood the payments will be made through Wabi Circuit as one of the host Circuits of Immanuel District to facilitate the entire operations of the synod.
Ialibu Circuit of Immanuel District will host the synod at Ialibu Lutheran Mission Station from 20th to 26th January 2024 with the assistance of four other sister Circuits of Immanuel District – Wabi, Imbbongu, Mendi and Tiripin Circuits.
All facilities needed for hosting the synod have completed and members of the five Circuits are now preparing in the lead up to the synod opening in two-week time.
Thousands of Lutheran faithful right across the country are gearing up for the national church event.
Meanwhile, Immanuel District President Reverend Tande Tumbo commended more than 4,000 Lutheran members of his district for their commitment, sacrifices, efforts, and contributions to prepare the synod venue.
He said almost all the facilities required to host the national church event are completed.
Rev Tumbo said ELC Immanuel District doesn’t have an institution with readily available facilities to use during such a big event, so the challenge given to Lutheran members to prove their faith in God was demonstrated, and Lutheran members contributed whatever resources they had to complete the tasks given to them.
“We have new delegates houses built, a synod hall, water supply, electricity, roads, mess, and toilets.
“Our circuits of Imbongu, Tiripin, Mendi, Ialibu, and Wabi were given the responsibilities to build delegates houses, mess, toilets, and look after the delegates during the weeklong conference, which commences on January 21st to 26th, 2024, and they are ready.
“For water supply, electricity, roads, carparks, and synod halls, the district synod committee coordinates these projects, so we are almost done now,” Rev. Tumbo said.
Imbongu circuit women coordinator Kerry Tondopol said her team are happy and ready to look after more than 1000 delegates from the 16 ELC districts, including overseas missionaries, partners, and other invited dignitaries.
She said they want delegates attending the synod to enjoy the meeting, so the district synod committee and all five circuits agreed to build proper houses to accommodate the delegates.
Tondopol said each circuit contributed K200, 000 towards the synod hall construction, and each family contributed K3, 000 to their congregations and parishes.
“We have contributed money to our circuit, parish, and congregations, as well as planting garden produce, looking after pigs, and building facilities to accommodate delegates.
“It’s very tiring and challenging for us, but we thanked God for the strength and blessing to finally get everything done,” Ms. Tondopol said.
