Melanesian Brotherhood - Diocese of Port Moresby, PNG

Urban Evangelism

Melanesian Brothers singing. Photo: Brad Chapman/ABM 2007

This project needs $3,125 in 2012.

In PNG the Melanesian Brothers are known for their willingness – and their ability – to bring the Good News to people. All is done on a shoestring budget.

There are 16 brothers in the Diocese of Port Moresby: eight at two isolated rural stations, Moreguina and Pivo; and eight in the Orobada settlement on the edge of Port Moresby city.

These brothers would like to reactivate their Urban Evangelism program in and around the markets in the city offering a performance of music and drama.

The brothers have already made musical instruments to form a “bamboo band”. Racks of large-cut bamboos roped together and struck by old trainers make the drums and narrow short bamboos make pan pipes. They will play music to attract an audience for their gospel dramas in the public markets.

The brothers already use music and drama at Christ the King parish in Orobada and plan visits to other urban parishes to gain confidence before performing in public.

The Bishop of Port Moresby, Peter Ramsden said, "The diocese recognises a valuable place for the ministry of the religious orders. MBH brothers are mostly young men used to living in the bush and so face the challenge of living in urban settlements. This project will help give them a focus and plan for their contribution to evangelism in the diocese."

Bishop Ramsden recognises the main financial constraints are the hire of a vehicle to get the brothers and the instruments to and from the markets (the bamboo drums are quite large and heavy), as well as a small allowance for food on those days.

$230 would allow the Brothers to hire a vehicle to transport themselves and their instruments for a month so that they can perform. Just $25 would help the eight Brothers to buy lunch on the day that they perform.

Please support this project so the Brothers can share the Gospel in the markets of the city through performances of music and drama.

HOW CAN I DONATE?

You can make an online donation to this project by selecting Melanesian Brotherhood:Diocese of Port Moresby from the full project list.

Alternatively, for donations by cheque/money order (made out to the Anglican Board of Mission - Australia), telephone or email, view contact details here.

(Project information will be available soon.)