Rosie Crowter

What are some of the needs in Papua New Guinea (PNG)?

Many people in PNG identify as Christian but they follow an animistic belief system as well. They have beliefs in ancestral spirits, cargo cults, and the fear of sorcery. Others have a love of money too.  Amidst high unemployment, many young people are turning to cults, marijuana, alcohol, and violence.

How long have you lived in PNG?

God called me to PNG in 1997 and I am here until God tells me the work for me is finished.

Initially I came as a community doctor, but soon realised that in PNG, sorcery is believed to be the cause of sickness and death. So, I transitioned to a bible training ministry, and to writing and distributing relevant resources.

Now I work full time with the Evangelical Church of Papua New Guinea (ECPNG), which has been a nationally-run church since 1966, when the APCM/UFM missionaries handed on leadership.

How can we pray for PNG?

I am based at Rumginae, where there is a mission hospital and training school for nurses. The hospital greatly needs national godly leaders who live according to the Bible, as well as doctors and nurse tutors  to train national staff.

The Church needs to grow stronger and to be rooted in God’s word. Many people still have deep fear because their roots are animistic. People are easily blown over by false teaching, and the promise of prosperity.

God’s Spirit is needed. The material things that so many people want are not forthcoming and so people turn to sorcery or promise of development.

Many of the youth are unemployed and feel empty; they reject God and look for purpose of life in social media and drugs. There is a need for employment opportunities and for addiction programmes: both prevention and recovery.

“Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life.” (Phil 2:15)

How can we pray for you?

My deep desire is to see God’s people in PNG grounded in the word of God, living a life that pleases Jesus Christ and that shows him to others. I want to see the Light shining and Jesus’ name lifted high – in the health service and in the Church.

I would like the resources I have developed to be utilised more fully in PNG, as well as in other places such as Africa, where similar struggles and issues exist. I plan to set up a resource centre and website, where these and other resources can easily be available.

I am coming up to retirement age and I am also looking for whatever ministry God has for me next.