Alumni Abraham and Rachael Mesa Making Jesus Known in Papua New Guinea

Steve and Gill with Abraham and Rachael and family, with Inok, and with the Morobe Youth Camp attendees.

Speaking to an 800-strong, spiritually hungry crowd about the life, impact, and promises of Jesus is the kind of thing that stokes the passion of SPBC Executive Director Steve Raine.

Even better? When it’s part of a visit to connect with—and be mutually encouraged by—SPBC alumni who are serving and teaching within their home community.

Such was the eight-day trip Steve and wife Gill (of Dorcas Ministries) made to Papua New Guinea to serve alongside graduates Abraham and Rachael Mesa this past December, speaking at the Morobe Province Youth Camp.

Abraham and Rachael have been teaching at the Melanesian Bible College (MBC) in Lae since graduating in 2021 and were the main organisers of the event – themed Making Jesus Known.

“Our hope for the camp was helping the youth get to know Jesus more personally rather than just a figure they hear or read about,” said Rachael.

“Especially giving more context to Jesus as both human and God, and giving the cultural and historical context.”

To Steve, one attendee’s feedback highlighted how God had helped them realise this goal.

“She said: ‘I want to thank you both because you’ve made Jesus known to us in a way that we can understand and relate to – it’s a breakthrough that we can also share with others,’” said Steve.

“It was also powerful seeing the spiritual hunger: Some of the attendees from more remote areas walked 48 hours over four days just to be there. We witnessed 14 baptisms and as many if not more people recommit to Christ.

“What was very special for Gill and I was seeing Rachael and Abraham along with their family serving and applying their learning and experiences from SPBC to their ministry here,” he said.

Rachael explained how their studies have been invaluable.

“Abraham and I are so thankful to God for blessing us with the opportunity to study at SPBC, because not only did we learn about the theological aspect of the Bible, but seeing the cultural and historical context of the Bible helped us to give more “meat” to our lessons to teach at MBC, and also it equipped us to prepare and share more in depth Bible lessons and sermons,” she said.

“For me personally, it gave me the confidence to stand in front of a crowd and share the Gospel of Jesus, something I never thought in a million years I was able to or worthy to do. God prepared Abraham and I to do His will, and we have learned to submit and allow Him to use us to work in His kingdom in PNG, to the best of our ability.”

Steve added it was also great to catch up with Inok Mingo, a graduate from many years ago, who continues to serve as a local preacher.