The Ogelbeng Seminary year commenced on 19 February 2024. The seminary is running a five-year Certificate in Theology program which includes three years of theory, vicarage for 8 months and then return to the seminary to complete the final year of study. After graduation, the students return to their church districts to serve as vicar […]

The Ogelbeng Seminary year commenced on 19 February 2024. The seminary is running a five-year Certificate in Theology program which includes three years of theory, vicarage for 8 months and then return to the seminary to complete the final year of study. After graduation, the students return to their church districts to serve as vicar pastors for one to two years. They are ordained by the Head Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELC-PNG) upon the request by the church district presidents. After ordination, they are posted to different congregations as full-time pastors. It is quite a long process, but we believe that this is part of the pastoral formation that helps to shape and develop a mature minister of the gospel.

This year, almost 600 of us (adults and children) are residing at the campus, which includes 84 registered students. Out of the 84, 11 are singles and the rest are married students. We receive students from all over Papua New Guinea and from the 17 Church Districts of ELC-PNG. We also have 17 vicarage students who will be returning in November to complete their studies in 2025. In October 2024 we will be commissioning 17 third year students for the 2025 vicarage program. Nineteen final year students will graduate on 1 November 2024.

At Ogelbeng we run a separate program for wives. The student wives complete a five-year program with their teachers and graduate with a Certificate of Bible and Ministry (CBM). They receive basic theology, biblical studies and hands-on practical skills training to support their husbands in their pastoral and leadership ministry after graduating from the seminary.

Students and teaching staff are allocated plots to plant their sweet potatoes and vegetables. Classes start at 7.25am and finish at 12.30pm, so students are free in the afternoons to do their gardening and community work for the seminary. The gardens are part of the student’s training because some of them might be sent to a remote area where they will need to plant rice for their livelihoods. A rice mill was given to the seminary by Lutheran Development Services, and we are using it to mill the rice when harvested.

The children of the seminary students and staff go to schools nearby and the little ones attend the seminary-run kindergarten. During the Sunday services at Ogelbeng, the children attend Sunday school classes.

Ogelbeng seminary acknowledges the continuous support from the LCA International Mission ‘Stamps for Mission’ program and the donation of theological books for the library, as well as other much needed support and prayers from LCA International Mission. What an honour it is to participate in the journey of the students as they strive to deliver the greatest hope for all humankind- the good news of our risen Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Thank you, friends of Ogelbeng for your friendship and partnership. With your prayers and generous support, many have graduated and are now serving in their districts within the ELC-PNG. As Luther said, “no one understands the scripture unless it is brought home to him, that is, unless he experienced it”. Thank you for helping us to equip students to take the Gospel home.

Many of our partner churches are working in new territory for the kingdom of God; therefore, spiritual attack is their everyday reality. As a member of a congregation, school, or family, or a couple or individual, you are invited to commit to praying for our partners in mission. For regular prayer point updates, go to www.lca.org.au/international-mission/act-now/pray

Read more stories about our partner church in Papua New Guinea at https://www.lcamission.org.au/category/stories/international-partners/papua-new-guinea/