People who liked to fight By 1954, it was clear that there were many challenges for both the Australian government administration and for missions working in the Southern Highlands. Tribal fighting was one of many problems. When some people asked why missions were there at all, the MOM General Secretary Cecil Gribble replied. “But behindContinue reading “15. Life in Mendi, 1954”
Tag Archives: Gordon Young
14. A Visitor to Tari: 1954
November 1954 The General Secretary of Methodist Overseas Missions (MOM) in the 1950s was Rev Cecil Gribble. He was very interested and encouraging of the new mission work in the Southern Highlands and began to visit Mendi regularly from 1951. In 1954 he came from Sydney to visit the new work in Tari for theContinue reading “14. A Visitor to Tari: 1954”
Highlands Ministers
This collection of photos shows many of the ministers and their families who served from 1950 to 2010.in the PNG Southern Highlands as part of the Methodist and United Church of PNG. Click on the arrows to move forward or back through the slides.
Highlands Church Anniversaries
1960 to 1990 The Church in the Southern Highlands marked the years since the beginning in 1950. This photo collection shows the anniversary celebrations in 1960 (10 years); 1970 (20 years); 1980 (30 years) and 1990 (40 years). Some of the pioneers came back to join these celebrations. Click on the arrows to go forwardContinue reading “Highlands Church Anniversaries”
10. A New Beginning in Tari, 1953
Tari, 1953 Why did a new Methodist mission start in Tari in 1953? In some ways this is surprising. In 1953, the mission work in Mendi was still very new. The mission group had only been there for two years. They were a very small team, with two ministers, one agriculturalist, one teacher, one nurseContinue reading “10. A New Beginning in Tari, 1953”
12. The First Church Building in Mendi.
Mendi, 1953 The people at the new Mission in Mendi were very excited when the first church building was opened. Gordon Young wanted to build a church as soon as he arrived in Mendi, but they had to wait until they had houses to shelter their workers. The new building was opened on 27 SeptemberContinue reading “12. The First Church Building in Mendi.”
11. Tari Beginnings, 1953
Tari, 1953 Roland Barnes was very keen to start his new work in Tari. He and his wife Miriam were on furlough in their home State of Queensland at the end of 1952 when they found out that he was to start a new mission in Tari. The government officers said that Mrs Miriam BarnesContinue reading “11. Tari Beginnings, 1953”
09. Letter from David Johnston, 1952
Mendi, 1952 David Johnston and his wife Beryl arrived in Mendi late in 1951. The other missionaries in Mendi were people who had already been working in New Guinea for a number of years. David and Beryl Johnston came straight from New South Wales as a young married couple. David was an agriculturalist who workedContinue reading “09. Letter from David Johnston, 1952”
06. Medical Ministry Begins with Joyce Walker, 1952
Mendi 1952 Sister Joyce Walker was an experienced nurse who had been working in New Britain. As soon as it was possible for Australian women to return to New Britain after the war years, Joyce Walker joined the first group of Methodist women to travel to Rabaul, arriving by ship in November 1946. Rabaul townContinue reading “06. Medical Ministry Begins with Joyce Walker, 1952”
05. Setepano Nabwakulea: a Teacher from Papuan Islands District, 1951
Mendi 1951-1953 ‘We are thankful for the strong missionary instincts of the Younger Churches and for the gift of these young workers from the Solomons, Papua and New Guinea.’ Missionary Review 1953 Setepano Nabwakulea was one of the first men from Papuan Islands District to go to work with the new mission in Mendi. HeContinue reading “05. Setepano Nabwakulea: a Teacher from Papuan Islands District, 1951”
Margaret Reeson 