Papua New Guinea: North Coast District hosted the Women’s Retreat 2022 in Huon Gulf Church of the Nazarene on 26-30 September 2022. Over 100 women leaders participated in the gathering.

This event was intended to be the National Women in Ministry Annual Convention, but it was postponed until next year due to post-election tensions, tribal fighting, and fear of having 2,000 women in one place. The leaders were disappointed at first but decided to continue the retreat since most of the women had already bought their tickets and couldn’t get a refund. This is also a chance for them to put their theme into action, “Rise up all daughters of Zion, put on your beautiful garments” taken from Isaiah 52:1-2.

According to North Coast District Women’s Ministry President Merolyn Mack, the two main reasons for having this event are first, many of them [women] are Christians and church-goers for a good number of years. However, some things are still part of their lives, blocking them from fully experiencing Christ.

The second reason is the current crisis and bad things happening in the country like violence, killing, false accusations of sorcery-related methods against women, drugs, alcoholism, abuse and misuse of social media that affect the lives of young generations. Women seem to be at the forefront of these things that lead them to be traumatized and stir fear, worry, confusion, and desperation in their lives. The hope they have in Christ diminishes as these things rise. 

“Take our stand against this invisible enemy that is causing all this chaos. But fighting them on our knees, praying intentionally. Therefore, this retreat will awaken and recharge the women spiritually… Together we can achieve great things in our district that impacts the field and the region. ” – Merolyn Mack

This event strengthened the sisterhood among the women in ministry in Papua New Guinea and stirred excitement for the participants for the upcoming Women in Ministry event next year.