Around the World
Papua New Guinea: A Testimony of God’s Faithfulness
In September of 2024 former missionary Mark Brandt and I met at the San Francisco airport to fly to Papua New Guinea. We traveled to participate in the 50th anniversary of the Open Bible Churches there and attend the National Convention at the Open Bible Ivingoi Mission Station in the Eastern Highlands.
After taking three different planes and enduring some unexpected delays, Mark and I arrived at the airport in Goroka, Papua New Guinea. Field Director Joshua Essy and several members of the National Board of Open Bible Churches were there to greet us.
The National Convention and 50th Anniversary Celebration began Monday evening and was attended by more than 2,000 people
We loaded into three different vehicles and even had a police escort vehicle as we began our four-hour drive up the mountainous road that would take us to the Ivingoi Mission Station. When we arrived, the main entrance was surrounded by hundreds of people, standing on both sides of the road to welcome us. One doesn’t really feel worthy of such a reception, but we were so honored. When Mark got out of his vehicle, people flocked to greet him because he had not been back to PNG for 23 years. It was awesome to see how much they loved him and his family.
The National Convention and 50th Anniversary Celebration began Monday evening and was attended by more than 2,000 people. Attendees sat on the ground surrounding the platform because there was no building big enough to house everyone.
As I looked at this great crowd of God’s people, I thought of Psalm 89:1 that says, “I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations” (NIV). God is faithful to bless and sustain His work. Now in Papua New Guinea we were able to see the fruit of that faithfulness in thousands of lives that have been transformed by the power of the Gospel.
On Tuesday, they held a special ceremony to welcome all local government dignitaries, business professionals, and international guests.
The next day we visited the Open Bible Mission clinic, which receives staff and ambulance funding from the Papua New Guinea government. Several years ago, Global Missions sent funds to build a new maternity ward. Today, the clinic serves over 20,000 patients a year; it is the only health clinic for hundreds of miles and is surrounded by several villages.
The growth and expansion of the Open Bible work there is a wonderful tribute to all the missionaries, nurses, and nationals who have sacrificed so much and have gone above and beyond the call of duty for the Lord.
We now have thirty-seven Open Bible Churches in Papua New Guinea, and five new outreaches are being started. The growth and expansion of the Open Bible work there is a wonderful tribute to all the missionaries, nurses, and nationals who have sacrificed so much and have gone above and beyond the call of duty for the Lord. Now, with such a solid foundation, the work of Open Bible Churches in Papua New Guinea is poised for tremendous growth.
It was an honor to participate in the celebration of the 50th Anniversary and the PNG National Convention of Open Bible Churches. Additionally, it was a privilege to have former missionary Mark Brandt accompany me on this trip. I congratulate President Joshua Essy for his leadership and the leadership of the entire National Board. I know that the work of Open Bible will continue to grow and prosper under their guidance and direction.
About the Author
Vince McCarty
Vince McCarty serves as the Executive Director of Global Missions, giving oversight to Open Bible’s work in 55 countries of the world. He is thankful for the great missionary staff and all the national leaders he has the opportunity to serve with. He would like us to remember that the Great Commission is too big for anyone to accomplish alone and too important not to try to do together.
“We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation
to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done”
(Psalms 78:4 NKJV).
On March 1, 1967, Melvyn and Barbara Kelderman moved to Trinidad and Tobago. That step of obedience began a family legacy that decades later led us—their son and daughter-in-law—to return as full-time missionaries serving with the School of Global Leadership (SGL). Looking back, we see God’s faithfulness from one generation to the next.
Before being appointed as missionaries in 2024, we both taught secondary school while serving at Open Bible Church in Omaha, Nebraska. During those years, God gave us countless opportunities to grow in ministry and deepen our calling. Having served in cross-cultural ministry in several countries, we were grateful when He opened the door to join Global Missions full time. Today we serve with the School of Global Leadership, helping believers discover their role in God’s global mission and equipping those who are moving from called to sent.
School of Global Leadership
Since its beginning in 2010, SGL has helped revitalize the vision for missions within the Open Bible Standard Churches of Trinidad and Tobago. Their work in Trinidad and beyond has helped SGL to become a partner with the Global Missions department in helping connect, expand, and reach into other countries around the world with the Gospel.
One of SGL’s greatest joys is hosting teams from Open Bible Churches in the United States. These short-term ministry experiences allow participants to encounter Trinidad’s diverse religious landscape, including Muslim, Hindu, and African-derived faith communities, while discovering how God may be calling them to serve. SGL also equips future missionaries through online courses and hands-on training. Whether you’re exploring God’s call, preparing for long-term service, or simply wanting to learn more about His work among the nations, we’d love to help you take your next step.
Looking to the Future
While Trinidad remains our training base, we believe God is expanding this vision. Our hope is to establish SGL training hubs in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa so that future leaders can be equipped within their own languages and cultures. As we continue partnering with Global Missions, we believe God will open doors to train and equip missionaries from everywhere to everywhere.
We are deeply grateful for the churches and individuals who pray for us and faithfully support this ministry (Philippians 1: 3). Together we are helping prepare the next generation of workers who will carry the gospel to the nations. Just as others invested in us, we now have the privilege of investing in those God is calling today – and we believe He will continue telling His story from generation to generation.
About the Authors
Brent and Sara Kelderman are pastors and missionaries with Open Bible Churches USA. After serving as teachers at a public high school in Nebraska and as associate pastors in their local church, God expanded their calling into full-time missions. Throughout their marriage, God has woven a passion for the nations into their hearts. They currently serve within the School of Global Leadership (SGL) in Trinidad and Tobago. Their ministry includes hosting missions teams, leading missions training, and partnering with local churches. They are grateful for all God has done and look forward to all He will continue to do in and through their lives.
In parts of Nigeria today, land is no longer just a livelihood – it’s a battleground. In search of increasingly scarce water and grazing land, semi-nomadic Muslim herdsmen are moving their flocks south into areas already inhabited by Christian farmers. This encroachment has intensified conflict, resulting in thousands of deaths, the displacement of millions, increased kidnappings, and deepening ethnic tensions. This is the environment in which Open Bible’s ministry continues day after day.
Despite these challenges, the Gospel is advancing.
Okon Obot, Open Bible’s Superintendent in Nigeria, shared the following story with me:
Recently we held an evangelistic crusade in one of the affected regions. Despite security concerns, people came looking for hope and peace. Evangelistic crusades remain a powerful and effective way to share the Gospel in village communities where fear and uncertainty are a part of daily life.
The theme of the crusade was “Arise and Shine,” and over 300 people gathered. By the end, sixteen people had given their lives to Jesus and fifteen were immediately baptized and welcomed into the church, each a testimony to God’s faithfulness.
A high point of the crusade was the reconciliation of a family of brothers divided for five years. Under the conviction of the Holy Spirit as the Word of God was shared, they chose forgiveness and were restored to one another. They returned to their homes with joy and peace.
In response to God’s work in their lives, the brothers donated a large piece of property in their village, Mbabuu, for the construction of a church building.
This is where the 2026 Global Harvest Offering, “Build Hope for Africa,” comes in. When we reach our goal of $200,000, Nigeria will be one of the recipients. Open Bible will partner directly with Pastor Okon to build a new church building in a place like the village Mbabuu.
This is more than a construction project – it is the next step of what God is doing. Despite hardship, churches in Nigeria are growing and new buildings are needed to serve expanding congregations and reach their communities.
Your gift to “Build Hope for Africa” can help provide a visible witness of Jesus in a region marked by instability and equip local leaders like pastor Okon to continue evangelizing where the need is great.
In a place where land is fought over, God continues to build His Church!
Snapshots of the vibrant ministry happening in Nigeria:
About the Author
Tammy Swailes is passionate about cross-cultural Christian education, so working with INSTE Bible College to disciple and equip leaders throughout Europe and beyond is a great fit! Tammy has lived in Europe since 1999 – first in Hungary and now Ukraine. Before that, she was in Japan, as well as Spokane, Washington. She now serves as INSTE regional director in Europe, assisting INSTE programs in five languages. Tammy has her undergraduate degrees in both Missions and Christian Education and a MA in Intercultural Studies. Photography, good coffee, multi-cultural experiences, and the family’s Yorkie are some of Tammy’s favorite things.
Have you ever wondered, What in the world are our Open Bible missionaries doing now? We wish we could visit every church or sit down over coffee and share what God is doing where we serve—but that isn’t always possible.
So this month, we’ve gathered brief notes from missionaries around the world. As you’ve read these updates from around the world, we invite you to pray for our missionaries—their families, their ministries, and the communities they serve. Please also share these stories with your church so others can join in prayer.
Use the interactive map below to see the updates:
Trouble seeing the map? Click HERE
About the Author
Tammy Swailes is passionate about cross-cultural Christian education, so working with INSTE Bible College to disciple and equip leaders throughout Europe and beyond is a great fit! Tammy has lived in Europe since 1999 – first in Hungary and now Ukraine. Before that, she was in Japan, as well as Spokane, Washington. She now serves as INSTE regional director in Europe, assisting INSTE programs in five languages. Tammy has her undergraduate degrees in both Missions and Christian Education and a MA in Intercultural Studies. Photography, good coffee, multi-cultural experiences, and the family’s Yorkie are some of Tammy’s favorite things.