Elder Peter F. Meurs Dedicates Papua New Guinea Temporary Missionary Training Centre

A temporary training centre for volunteer missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was dedicated on May 30, 2026, in East Boroko. Elder Peter F. Meurs, President of the Pacific Area of the Church offered the dedicatory prayer invoking a blessing that all who enter here would feel the sacred sense of purpose and consecration, declaring the Papua New Guinea Temporary Missionary Training Centre as “a holy place of preparation.”  

Missionaries are Church members between the ages of 18-25 who voluntarily set aside schooling, employment, sports and personal interests to help others for 18 or 24 months. Missionaries are assigned to one of over 500 missions around the world by an Apostle of the Church. Before beginning service, missionaries attend a training centre. 

A missionary training centre assists missionaries to learn, love and live their purpose of inviting and helping others come unto Christ. Elder Meurs offered gratitude “for the sacred privilege of proclaiming His restored gospel throughout the earth.” 

The Papua New Guinea TMTC is one of three smaller-sized facilities globally. Eleven larger Missionary Training Centres around the world provide language learning as well as preparation to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of its unique size, the PNG TMTC can cater to the specific needs of local young missionaries.  

“The PNG TMTC is truly a blessing to our people. It provides not only practical support for missionaries, but also strengthens their spiritual wellbeing. The opportunity to teach and learn in our native language helps missionaries feel more confident and prepared and allows them to focus fully on their purpose as they serve in their respective missions,” remarked Raphael Puana, TMTC Administrative Assistant. 

Church leaders from within Port Moresby as well as villages stretching from Kuriva to Senunu even as far as Oro Province joined in the historic event. The pre-dedication itinerary included a tour of the facilities and demonstration of teaching and learning practices provided by current missionaries training in the TMTC Elder Charles Piano and Elder Lemuel Weman both of Lae, Elder Siwi Gabriel of Jiwaka and Elder Cecil Iewago of Popendetta. Also assisting as tour guides were TMTC teachers, Josiah Aveve and Lee Puana. 

The dedication portion of the event included invited speakers and a robust group of young men from Kilakila and Port Moresby’s church congregations dressed in white shirts and red ties joining together to sing a familiar missionary anthem, “Called to Serve”, a nod to missionaries serving worldwide.  

Elder Meurs concluded his dedicatory prayer by inviting the people of Papua New Guinea and the nations of the Pacific to prepare their hearts to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ.