The Seventh‑day Adventist Church in Ragiampun, Markham District, has successfully hosted a week‑long reconciliation program aimed at restoring peace, healing, and unity after more than a decade of conflict within the community.

The program brought together families, clans, churches, schools, and community leaders to address long‑standing disputes that had previously resulted in violence, fighting, and loss of life. Community leaders described the initiative as a critical step toward rebuilding trust and securing a better future for the next generation.

Prior to the start of the official program, reconciliation first took place at the family and clan level. This groundwork allowed the wider community to collectively agree on hosting a week‑long fellowship focused on forgiveness, restoration, and spiritual renewal.

The reconciliation program featured nightly worship services and fellowship sessions led by Pastor Enoch Kitum, Stewardship Director of the Morobe Mission, alongside Minister Nelson Yanding, Inter‑Country Liaison Field Coordinator. The President of the Morobe Mission was also present, attending the meetings each night through to Sabbath.

A major milestone of the program occurred on Thursday, 26 March, when formal reconciliation ceremonies were held. During this event, community members reconciled with God, the Church, fellow community members, clan to clan, and schools within the community, marking a significant turning point in the reconciliation process.

Ragiampun holds historical significance for the Seventh‑day Adventist Church in the Markham District, as it is one of the first locations where early Adventist pioneers settled and spread the gospel throughout Markham and other parts of Morobe Province.

The Sabbath program was further honoured by the visit of the Union Mission President, who offered special prayers for the community, reinforcing messages of unity, forgiveness, and restoration. As part of the reconciliation journey, a communion service was held, symbolizing spiritual renewal and commitment to peace. The Sabbath service also marked the close of the church’s 13th Sabbath quarter.

In addition to spiritual restoration, the program also emphasized sustainable development. Through an initiative led by the Stewardship Department, land was set aside for the establishment of a cocoa farm. The project will begin with a nursery phase, with seedlings supplied by the Madang Cocoa Board. Eighteen cocoa varieties will be tested, and once successful, the seedlings will be distributed to support other local churches and communities.

Community leaders say the reconciliation program represents a new chapter for Ragiampun—one grounded in peace, healing, restoration, and sustainable livelihoods. The community now looks forward with renewed hope to a more united and prosperous future.

In the midst of a tense and painful situation that arose from a violent dispute between residents of Luis Block and Kaspar Block in Kamkumung area during the early Christmas period—resulting in the tragic loss of two lives and the destruction and looting of homes—God’s hand was clearly seen at work through His church, bringing restoration, peace, and unity.

Moved by compassion and faith, the Seventh-day Adventist Churches within the APPOTA Zone (Apotiko, Poasum, and Talair) took the lead in initiating a peace and reconciliation ceremony in the 15 Block area, stretching from Speedway to Backroad in Lae. This church-led initiative was spearheaded by volunteer missionary Minister Charles Tuoreke, alongside Senior Elder Jerry Beglana and Minister Cruze Wone, and was witnessed by representatives from the Morobe SDA Mission, district leadership, the Ward Councillor, peace mediators, and law-and-order authorities.

The church extended practical support to affected families by providing household items, clothing, bedding, and financial assistance to those whose homes were burned or looted, as well as to the families who lost loved ones. This outreach reflects the Total Member Involvement (TMI) program of demonstrating God’s love through action.

A formal peace agreement was prayerfully signed by youth representatives from both communities in the presence of witnesses. As a powerful symbol of reconciliation and new beginnings, the youths planted a coconut tree, signifying peace taking root and a shared commitment to nurture unity for generations to come.

The Ward Councillor encouraged the youths to channel their energy into positive pathways such as church programs and sports, rather than activities that lead to conflict. He also acknowledged the church’s intervention as timely and divinely inspired, recognizing it as a call from God to restore peace within the community.

This event stands as a testimony of how God works through His church to transform conflict into reconciliation. Through prayer, service, and obedience to Christ’s mission, peace was restored, and hope was renewed in a once-tense community.