The history of how work originated in Papua New Guinea
The Association of Local Churches of Papua New Guinea (ALCPNG) was established in PNG by the Finnish (Finland) missionaries in the year 1969. We recently celebrated ALCPNG’s 50th anniversary in September 2019 at Kokopo, East New Britain Province (ENBP). It was by the grace of God that these pioneer missionaries began the work of transforming lives in East New Britain province through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Tolai’s from ENBP and people from other provinces who lived in ENBP at that time were able to respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ and established the early churches (ALCPNG) throughout East New Britain province since the 1970’s of which the church continues to grow even today.
In the years between 1971 to 1972, mission work extended to Mt Hagen (WHP), Mendi (SHP), Wabag (Enga) and Bulolo (MP) with different registrations. In the 1980’s, the Government of PNG made an undertaking to do away with small churches and to form bigger churches of which by February 1983, ALCPNG was formed and registered.
The church (ALCPNG) has advanced remarkably in growth and continues to do so even today in villages, towns and cities, and amazingly into some of the remotest parts of PNG. This nationwide growth has also seen the church (ALCPNG) extend its borders to also impact people overseas including the Solomon Islands and Mozambique in Africa. The church’s successful growth and impact is a result of strategic approaches encoded in our Constitution, Vision, Mission and the 5-year Strategic Plan (2018-2022).
The membership of the ALCPNG now consists of ALC churches in Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB), New Ireland, East New Britain, West New Britain, Manus, Morobe, Madang, East Sepik, West Sepik, Eastern Highlands, Simbu, Jiwaka, Western Highlands, Enga, Southern Highlands, Western, Gulf, Central, National Capital District and Oro provinces.
In 2010, the Association of Local Churches of Papua New Guinea was established in Madang, and currently we have local churches in the following villages; Menku, Bilbil, Bau, Mamalop, Bahamal, Amaimon, Oval (Madang District), Umboldi, Yaunyai village (Rai Coast), Banu, Ramu (Usino/Bundi), and Tokaien, Rempi (Sumkar). The church (ALCPNG) is advancing rapidly into new areas of Madang province. However, we are yet to establish a church in Madang town, our plan is to secure a piece of land in Madang town or in the vicinity of town to act as a provincial centre and also as a transit centre.
The Association of Local Churches of PNG ministry and work in Madang province is guided and driven by ALCPNG’s mission statement and vision statement below that was derived from its 5-year Strategic Plan (2018 – 2022).