The United Church Bishop of Hela Province, Wai Tege, is calling on all churches to offer comfort and support in the wake of the Highlands earthquake.
Bishop Tege says people are seeking spiritual guidance at this time of pain and uncertainty and urged for all churches, regardless of denomination, to stand together and reach out to the people.
The United Church in PNG is establishing church-led response centres in Tari, Hela Province, and Mendi, Southern Highlands Province, to coordinate initial needs assessments.
The assistance of the six other member churches under the Church Partnership Program will collaboratively share church actions and to plan for response and recovery efforts.
As a united body of Christ, they are offering prayers and practical actions and quote 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 for victims during this difficult time.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 King James Version (KJV) reads:
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
The Church Partnership Program members include Anglican Church of PNG, Baptist Union of PNG, Catholic and Lutheran churches, Seventh-Day Adventist, Salvation Army and United Church in PNG.