{"id":5810,"date":"2019-07-09T13:12:56","date_gmt":"2019-07-09T13:12:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hk.langham.org\/scholar-brings-biblical-truth-to-papua-new-guinea\/"},"modified":"2019-07-09T13:12:56","modified_gmt":"2019-07-09T13:12:56","slug":"scholar-brings-biblical-truth-to-papua-new-guinea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hk.langham.org\/en_us\/news-and-updates\/scholar-brings-biblical-truth-to-papua-new-guinea\/","title":{"rendered":"Scholar brings biblical truth to Papua New Guinea"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cInstead of allowing our beliefs to influence scripture, we need to allow scripture to influence our beliefs,\u201d emphasises Langham Scholar George Mombi, from Papua New Guinea (PNG).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Langham Scholar George Mombi, who has returned to Papua New Guinea.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

George has been working on his PhD since 2015 at Otago University, New Zealand. He\u2019s recently returned to PNG to continue teaching at the Christian Leaders\u2019 Training College.

Prior to studying, George worked for CLTC and spent some of his time visiting Bible schools and colleges in the region. He helped them progress and develop better curriculums. He also organised training workshops for Bible college Principals and Deans at CLTC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sorcery and spirit powers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It concerned him deeply that Christians in his home region of Melanesia are easily and readily swayed. Influences include sectarianism, the \u2018prosperity\u2019 gospel, and dualistic devotion to sorcery, magic and spirit powers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen it comes to the idea of having a \u2018good life\u2019 \u2013 or gutpela sindaun<\/em> \u2013 as we call it, the Melanesian people have allowed a Melanesian view to influence their Christian beliefs,\u201d George says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe letter to the Colossians addresses this and explains what \u2018fullness\u2019 in life is actually about. It\u2019s not only about material prosperity, but about relationship with God. My PhD research looks at this section of Colossians, and contextualises it into the challenges the Melanesian church faces.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Christians in Papua New Guinea struggle with ‘dualistic devotion’ to sorcery, magic and spirit powers.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Strategically placed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Multiple deceptive influences in the region\u2019s church mean there is a lot of division. This is another of George\u2019s great concerns. He is encouraged by the potential for the reconciliatory role that CLTC and his future ministry will have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn the Melanesian region, CLTC is strategically placed because it is interdenominational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“My PhD is also strategic: through CLTC I am passing on the knowledge I have gained to men and women who will go back to their churches equipped with contextually relevant yet accurate biblical insights and skills, to teach and disciple followers of Christ.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pray for George Mombi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

George hopes that elevating the influence of accurate interpretation of scripture to many different, smaller Bible schools \u2013 which feed student leaders to study at CLTC \u2013 will significantly strengthen the church. He hopes it will also reduce the sectarianism amongst the region\u2019s Christians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re moving away from a mind-set that is strongly denominationalised, to one that is rooted in scripture\u201d, he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Langham Scholar George Mombi serves at the Christian Leaders’ Training College in PNG.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In his role at CLTC, George is continuing to work with the region\u2019s smaller Bible colleges. Formal relationships are already secured with colleges in the Solomon Islands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changing beliefs across the region<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

He says, \u201cI am excited about what God is doing and going to do in the region: investing in my training is strategic and important for helping to change beliefs across the region, and see many more come to know the true God.\u201d

CLTC has trained more than 2000 leaders from the region. Please pray for:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n