Townsville Churches Donate 1,000 Bibles to PNG

110 years ago this month, James Chalmers, a young British man, lost his life on the shores of PNG’s Gulf Province. After leaving a legacy of 130 mission stations which helped bring education, health services, and Christian teaching to the people of PNG, Chalmers was killed an eaten by one of the region’s more aggressive villages.
In many ways, not much has changed since Tamate, as he was affectionately referred to by locals, lived in this region. Dugout canoe is still the primary mode of transportation and while an occassional can of cola will turn up in a village, most people still sleep in stilted huts and eat fresh caught fish and home grown food.
Today, just like when Tamate walked these banks, many hope to help increase the quality of life of these beautiful, hard working people. Reverend Bruce Cornish, Moderator for the Uniting Church in North Queensland, is one such man.
After volunteering on the YWAM Medical Ship last year, he noticed a great need for Bibles in this region. While Christianity is an integral part of PNG culture, many pastors lack the resources to do their job. 
Sharing his passion with friend and colleague, Bishop Bill Ray, of the Anglican Church in North Queensland, the two raised funds from the Combined Churches of Townsville and organised a subsidy from the Bible Society to send 1,000 Bibles on board the ship. 
Bruce joined the first outreach, giving children’s Bibles to schools, training pastors with a resource study Bible, in addition to distributing general Bibles. He was met with much gratitude and inspired many by the generosity of Townsville churches.