New Life Christain Family AOG Church

Could a church in Papua New Guinea truly trace its roots back to a builder from Gympie, Australia? Here at the New Life Christain Family AOG Church in Port Moresby, that connection feels surprisingly real. While this specific church’s story isn’t in our historical texts, the Assemblies of God (AOG) presence in PNG certainly is, and it’s a tale worth telling. The AOG’s journey in PNG began in 1948, far from the bustling streets of Port Moresby, in the remote village of Ilingita, Maprik, East Sepik. Pastor Don Westbrook, a builder by trade, felt a call to assist Pastor Hugh Davidson, the first Australian AOG missionary to PNG. Leaving his Gympie church, Westbrook embarked on a journey of faith, arriving in Wewak on November 14, 1948. He then traveled to Maprik and Illingita. Their first service, held in a simple “House School” on November 28, 1948, marked a historical moment – the first Protestant service in the Sepik region. This was the genesis of the AOG movement in PNG. Westbrook and Davidson faced challenges, from navigating unfamiliar languages and customs to overcoming resistance from local leaders influenced by other religious groups. Yet, they persevered, securing land, building a mission station, and slowly gaining the trust of the community. The New Life Christain Family AOG Church here in Port Moresby stands as a testament to the dedication of those early missionaries, their spirit echoing in the vibrant faith of the AOG community across PNG. While the specific history of this church remains untold in our current knowledge, it’s woven into the larger narrative of the AOG’s remarkable journey in Papua New Guinea, a story sparked by a builder’s obedience and a nation’s embrace of faith.