On 2-3 August 2025, 2,075 members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints attended the creation of the new Minj Papua New Guinea Stake in the country’s central mountainous region.
The new stake covers the Chimbu, Western Highlands and Jiwaka provinces.
To accommodate the attendees, large tents were set up, casting a warm golden glow over speakers and choir members.
The church is established with initially small congregations joined together as to form a district. A district can qualify to become a stake when it has leadership strength and large units. Stakes are led by entirely local leaders with significant autonomy and responsibility for the spiritual and temporal well being of the members.
Two stakes were created in Papua New Guinea in the years between 1999 and 2023. The Minj Stake is the fourth created in Papua New Guinea in the last 14 months.
During the two days of meetings over 129 new members of the Church were baptized. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints practice baptism by immersion by one who holds priesthood authority.
Kol Kon, 42, and his entire family were baptized during the weekend services. “I have looked for God all my life,” he said. “I believe that Jesus Christ is here in this Church, and I believe in modern prophets. I believe that more blessings will come to me and to my family in the Church.”
Then, on Sunday, under the direction of Pacific Area President, Elder Peter F. Meurs, the Minj District officially became the Minj Stake, as members voted unanimously to support their new local leaders. The stake will be led by President Koime Henry, 1st Counselor Moses Ikai, and 2nd Counselor Jonathan Tala.
Afterwards, President Meurs spoke of what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can offer its new members, in the present, and in the future.
“Yes," Elder Meurs said, "there is struggling. There is poverty. But there is also a special strength among these good people. In the Church of Jesus Christ, we bring sacred ordinances that will bring families together for this life and for eternity. But we also bring the incredible resources of the Church. Education resources, humanitarian resources, online resources to provide support and build self reliance. These are resources that can change the future, bringing blessings to church members and the whole country.”
Elder Jeffery M. Nikoia spoke of both the present and future impact of a life centred on Jesus Christ.
“These wonderful people are coming together with the faith that the Lord will bless their lives and the lives of those around them. As they continue to draw closer to Jesus Christ , they will see themselves more and more as the Lord sees them. They will see themselves as they are—true children of God. And that will be a great blessing to them and others they serve in their communities.”
In Papua New Guinea, the Church of Jesus Christ is growing faster than buildings can be built to accommodate worshippers. The creation of four stakes in just over a year is evidence that new members in Papua New Guinea find more in the Church than just beautiful houses of worship. Through the ordinances, programs and fellowship of the Church, new members are finding spiritual strength independent of their worldly circumstances — a strength that is a blessing to them, their family, their church, and their nation.