PNG Hope and a Future team chosen as God’s Sports Arena expands
- simoneworthing
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
BY SIMONE WORTHING
“How proud are we of the young adults of Papua New Guinea,” said Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Australia’s Territorial Commander. Miriam was recently in Papua New Guinea as part of the selection team for the 2026 Hope and a Future program participants.
“Not only have the Hope and a future participants run a marathon, gained an education and grown spiritually, but they are now leading beautifully.”
The team that was chosen for the 2026 program and some mentors (left) and runners and supporters (right) who turned out for the selection trial.
Now in its 11th year, the program is modelled on four key pillars – faith, fitness (training for and running the Gold Coast Marathon), education and leadership. It aims to give young Papua New Guinea nationals – most of whom are already serving in their corps – the opportunity to develop into future leaders in their churches, families, communities, workplaces and nation.
More than 80 young people applied for the 2026 program from all over Papua New Guinea, with 10 positions available. Participants must run well and be a regular and involved church member, endorsed by officers and youth leaders.
Australians Bill Hunter, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas and retired officers Majors Heather and Kevin Unicomb, who served in Papua New Guinea, are always warmly welcomed whenever they visit PNG.
“The trial day was challenging but positive,” said Envoy Bill Hunter, head coach for the program and leader of The Salvation Army’s church God’s Sports Arena (GSA).
“Around 140 people came out, including many past Salvos Striders. There was a lot of support and practical assistance – and we even started on time!”
Selecting next year’s participants was challenging, and a task shared with the Australian support team: Captain John Raga (Territorial Youth Secretary for the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory); Australian officer Major Deon Oliver (Secretary for Programme); the 2025 Hope and a Future team, and other runners and mentors from previous years.
“We’re happy with the 10 people chosen on their merits,” said Bill. “They represent a cross-section of corps across the territory, too.”
GSA launched in PNG
Bill announced the 2026 team at the now monthly God’s Sports Arena service at Boroko Corps in Port Moresby (PNG capital), where 180, mainly young people, were in attendance.
As well as congratulating the young adults chosen, Bill reassured those who weren’t selected, that “this year wasn’t your time, and God has something else in store for you”.
The original pioneers of Hope and a Future (2014) coordinated and led the GSA official launch service.
“We just sat back and let them run it and they were inspirational,” said Bill. “So much unity, encouragement, love, faith, support, energy, enthusiasm and singing in the building. I’m so blessed and privileged to be part of this outstanding project.”
God’s Sports Arena has been operating casually in Port Moresby for a few years but is now organised and structured.
“The meetings are monthly, run by different teams,” Bill explained. “Colonels Chris and Tilitah Goa, territorial leaders, are so happy that this is happening.”
Commissioner Miriam was “delighted” to be a part of the official launch of GSA in Papua New Guinea. “
“Prepared by, led by, inspired by the first team to do the marathon, and now to share it wider. To have 180 people there. Stunning,” she said.
Hope and a Future has funding for the 2026 program but currently, not beyond that.
“We are working on it and hope we can secure what is needed to continue this important and impactful program well into the future,” said Bill.
Meet the new team
To meet the 2026 team, click here.
GSA expands to NSW
God's Sports Arena also crossed another border and officially launched at Dooralong Transformation Centre in the Central Coast region of NSW on 19 November. (As well as in PNG, the GSA also runs weekly in Brisbane and twice a month on the Sunshine Coast).
“I was at the Queensland men’s camp a couple of months ago where Marty Robinson, Salvation Army prison chaplain in NSW, was guest speaker,” explained Bill.
“God had put on my heart to not talk to Marty directly about GSA, but he came up to me and said that he was looking for a different kind of church, and so I shared it all with him. Marty wanted to grab it and go with it right away!”
Marty agrees. “I am one for not putting God in a box, so as Bill started telling me the story how he started GSA, he had my full attention,” he said. “Straight away, I knew that this was the encounter I was meant to have, as I had prayed on the plane on the way to Queensland. It’s an amazing ministry.
“We had an awesome, great first GSA at Dooralong Transformation Centre on 19 November, and I am honoured to be a small part of it of this great ministry.”
Bill said that the atmosphere on the night was “wonderful - plenty of energy, fun, laughs, singing, love, encouragement, faith, hope, sin binnings and banter.
“Around 30 people on program attended, and 10 supporters from local corps. A big shout out to Marty Robinson for initiating and organising - great job, brother! As always, our mantra is ‘Love, Encourage and Don’t Judge’.”
Dooralong Transformation Centre will close in February 2026, but the plan is to continue running GSA at nearby Miracle Haven. Bill and his team will mentor Martin and those involved over the coming months.
It was an exciting atmosphere as God’s Sports Arena kicked off at The Salvation Army’s Dooralong Transformation Centre on 19 November.
