Faith builds a new administration building

After almost three years of sacrifice, faith and determination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC PNG) Hagen District has opened a new K3.3 million two-storey administration building in the heart of Mt Hagen city.

The new building replaces the old structure that had served the church for decades, dating back to the early days of Lutheran missionary work in the Highlands.

The new two-storey ELC PNG Hagen District administration building now stands as a symbol of what can be achieved through faith, unity and perseverance.

For almost three years, members of the Hagen District congregation contributed towards the project through Thanksgiving and Sunday offerings, believing they could build a modern administration center for the church.

Despite the challenges, the congregation did not give up.

Their contributions, together with support from the government and other partners, have now produced this K3.3 million state-of-the-art office building.

"It is hard to get a contractor to build a building like this within a short space of time because contractors have their own demand but through the Grace and God's willing, the two storey was completed and opened and I thank each and every member of ELC Hagen District," says Jacob Lama, building committee treasurer.

He also outlined how the money was spent on the construction of the building.

"The money that you the Christians of ELC Hage district has come up with adds to a sum of K3,371, 020. 30."

"When we see that if we get a contractor alone to do the work, cost will go up than our budgeted cost. So, I held talks with the Building Committee that instead of giving the money to the contractor we should do project management where we did and now, we see the completion and opening of the building at the exact cost of K3,317,809.61 with almost K50,000 remaining that will be used to carry out other unfinished work of the building," outlines treasurer Lama.

The new building replaces the old administration office, which had become worn out after serving the church since the arrival of the first Lutheran missionaries in Mt Hagen.

Head Bishop of ELC PNG, Reverend Jack Urame, also thanked the Christians of the Hagen District for their commitment and sacrifice.

He acknowledged the support from the government towards the work of the Lutheran Church in Papua New Guinea.

"Thank you to the believers of ELC Hagen District for sowing in the work of God and continue to do so for God's Glory and Honour," Bishop Urame adds.

Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa, who witnessed the opening, also praised the Christians for their commitment to the project.

Governor Rapa said the building is a reflection of the blessings received through the congregation's faith and giving.

He said the new structure has also given Mt Hagen city a facelift and will provide a lasting home for the church's administration.

"God has never ceased to bless us every day and I want to take this time to thank the Christians of ELC Hagen District to take this step of faith and sacrifice to make sure that you give towards the work of God.

"This state of art two storey administration building has now give a facelift to the city of Mt Hagen and I want to say thank you to the congregation of Hagen District, its 16 circuits, Mt Hagen City Authority under the Chairmanship of Hagen Open MP William Duma, the provincial government and others who have participated in one or the way to see this happening," said Rapa.