“In the Imbounggu district of the Southern Highlands Province in Papua New Guinea,
a group of five young men hailing from the Olgai Walile tribe publicly
renounced their marijuana addiction and underwent a baptism ceremony on August 26.
Ismheal Kera, who served as the team leader and a community advocate, revealed that these young men had grappled with a severe addiction to marijuana. They were not only consumers but also cultivated marijuana alongside other crops in their own backyards and gardens.
In their pursuit of baptism, the group collectively made the courageous decision to destroy their marijuana crops. This act was carried out publicly, witnessed by the community, which included church members, local law enforcement, as well as friends, some of whom were also entangled in marijuana use.
Inspired by the group’s resolute stance, several friends who were present during the crop burning event were moved to break free from their own addiction. They have subsequently chosen to undergo baptism, with a scheduled ceremony set to take place on September 16, coinciding with World Pathfinder Day.
The baptism ceremony on August 26 can be attributed to a year-long program organized by the Kerenda Seventh-day Adventist Church. This initiative was part of the church’s broader Total Member Involvement (TMI) program, which emphasized the significance of small group evangelism.
Now officially recognized as members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the group is steadfast in their commitment to embrace theopneustos, God’s inspired word, and integrate their faith into every facet of their lives.”
