Pray for Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory

3 hours ago

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Each week through 2026, Salvationists around the world are uniting in prayer for the same territory or region of The Salvation Army. Prayer requests are shared by the territory/region to help us pray with precision and power for one another.

This week (2-8 November), the Australia Territory is joining the global Salvation Army in praying for the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory.

This territory has 358 officers (346 active, 12 retired), four Aux-Captains, 10 Envoys, 68 corps, 118 outposts, 6524 senior soldiers, 5820 adherents, 1304 junior soldiers and 539 employees.

Colonels Chris and Tilitah Goa lead the territory.

There are a number of Australian officers serving in the territory.

Majors Hector and Melba Cristostomo are serving at the Lae Primary School in Papua New Guinea – Hector as School Administrator, and Melba as Associate Administrator and Chaplaincy Team Leader.

Majors Deon and Michelle Oliver are also based at Territorial Headquarters in Port Moresby, with Deon serving as Secretary for Program and Michelle as Development Officer.

After eight years as district officers in the Solomon Islands, Majors Robert and Vanessa Evans were repatriated in December 2025, with fellow Australians Majors Brad and Joycelyn McIver taking on the roles of District Officer (Brad) and District Director of Women’s Ministries (Joycelyn) at the start of this year.

The Gulf District ‘Women of Worth’ camp open-air.

The work of the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands Territory includes:

Community health services
Education and schools
Modern slavery and human trafficking response.

Praise points:

· We thank God for the territorial theme, ‘Rebuild, Restore, Renew’, which has guided and inspired the territory throughout this strategic period. We praise him for his faithfulness in leading us, strengthening our ministries, and renewing his people. We are especially grateful for the 2026 emphasis on ‘Revival’, and for the quarterly themes endorsed by the steering committee, which have provided spiritual direction and focus for our preaching, teaching and ministry. May the Lord continue to accomplish his purpose in and through us as we seek to fulfil his mission.

· We thank God that prayers have been answered in all divisions and districts, and centres have been fully engaged, embracing the theme in all areas of missions and ministries across the territory. We also pray for revival to be experienced in the lives of all Salvationists, soldiers, officers and friends of The Salvation Army.

· We are thankful that through God’s wisdom, he has guided the territorial steering committee to work on the 2026-30 redevelopment plan, and we pray that it would be aligned with the Compass framework of People, Mission, Legacy.

· We give thanks that a suitable corps officer quarters has been identified in Honiara, and also for the construction of officers’ quarters in the provinces.

· We are also thankful for God's wisdom in managing the ongoing ‘Making It Happen’ project.

Women of Worth camps attract hundreds of women across the territory.

Prayer requests:

· Pray for the visit of General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham in November 2026 as they attend the territory’s 70th anniversary congress, including the commissioning of the Proclaimers of Transformation session. Ask God to guide all preparations, grant safe travel for soldiers and officers journeying to Port Moresby, and to pour out his presence, favour and blessing over these significant and sacred celebrations.

· Pray for the territorial theme for 2027, ‘Rebuild, Restore, Renew: A Year of REDEEM’. As this theme is launched by General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham during the 2026 congress, we ask God to prepare the hearts of soldiers, officers and adherents across the territory to embrace its message. Pray that the Lord will bring spiritual renewal, restore what has been broken, rebuild faith and ministry where needed, and deepen our understanding of his redeeming grace as we live out this vision throughout 2027.

· Pray for territorial funding and faithful stewardship. As the territory embraces the IHQ Compass Strategy of People, Mission and Legacy, ask God to provide the financial resources needed to sustain and expand ministry, grant wisdom in developing local income-generating initiatives, and enable us to be faithful and accountable stewards of all that he has entrusted to us.

· Pray for the mission in the Solomon Islands. We ask God to bless and strengthen the team in Honiara as they travel throughout the provinces to encourage and support local corps and communities, explore new ministry opportunities, and advance the mission of sharing the gospel. Pray also for wisdom, success and sustainability in the development projects that will help strengthen the long-term ministry and self-reliance of the work in the Solomon Islands.

· Pray for the spiritual growth of soldiers and officers across the territory. Amid the many social and ethical challenges facing our communities, including ongoing tribal conflicts within our nation, ask God to strengthen his people to live holy and faithful lives, remain firmly rooted in his Word, reflect the character of Christ in their daily walk, and grow in their love for God and for one another.

· Pray for the health and wellbeing of our officers. Ask God to grant them strength, healing and resilience as many continue to face ongoing health challenges. Pray that they will exercise wisdom in caring for their physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, and that they would be willing to seek timely medical advice and support when needed, enabling them to serve faithfully and effectively in their ministry.

· Pray for the change of officer appointments in January 2027. Ask God to grant grace, wisdom and peace to all officers, families, corps and communities affected by the transitions. Pray for smooth handovers, strong and supportive relationships in new appointments, and joyful connections as officers settle into their new ministries. May God unite his people in purpose and partnership, enabling them to work together effectively for the extension of his Kingdom and the advancement of his mission.