Project Statement

To bring the transforming power of God’s Word to the heart of Papua New Guinea—particularly in the Eastern Highlands Region—through 32 oral Bible stories crafted in 10 local languages. This project aims to empower grassroots leaders to plant and multiply Oral Scripture Groups (OSGs), address the vicious cycle of tribal violence through conflict management training, and restore dignity and honor to tribal communities by honoring their language, culture, and identity in Christ.

OSP Papua New Guinea Project

Context and Need

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is one of the most linguistically diverse nations in the world, home to over 800 languages and deeply rooted oral cultures. While 23% of the population identify as evangelical, deep discipleship is hindered by tribal conflict, spiritual confusion (including witchcraft), and a lack of Scripture in heart languages. Most communities engage with truth through spoken word, shared stories, and lived examples—not written materials. In the Eastern Highlands Region, cycles of tribal violence and revenge continue to damage lives and families, making reconciliation and community-based peacebuilding an urgent need.

Project Summary

This project will develop 32 culturally relevant Bible stories in 10 local languages and train local leaders to form and multiply Oral Scripture Groups (OSGs). These stories will be crafted, tested, and recorded with the participation of local believers who know the heart language and culture of their people. Alongside this, the project will offer a series of conflict management trainings—from basic to advanced levels—aimed at restoring dignity, reviving oral traditions, and reconnecting communities with the peace building rituals passed down by their ancestors. These trainings will also help participants recognize that God had already planted seeds of truth in their hearts long before any missionary arrived.

Goals and Impact

• 32 Bible stories developed in 10 languages (total: 320 crafted stories)
• Train 40–50 local leaders to lead and multiply OSGs
• Conduct conflict management trainings (basic to advanced) focused on restoring oral traditions, reviving ancestral peace building rituals, and affirming the presence of God's truth already at work in their communities
• Launch and sustain 50–80 OSGs across 10 language communities
• See lives transformed as Scripture is lived, not just learned

Why This Will Succeed

This project builds on a proven approach. Oral storytelling is already part of PNG’s culture, and OSP’s work with Waks and Margaret has already led to the formation of 8 OSGs in 3 languages. By expanding to 10 languages with a well-crafted set of 32 stories, and by addressing tribal violence through biblical peacebuilding, the gospel will be rooted in communities, remembered in their hearts, and retold across generations. With low cost, strong local ownership, and deep cultural alignment, this project is designed for long-term transformation.

Join Us

Partner with us in prayer, support, and encouragement. Your giving helps people hear the Word of God in their own language, experience peace in place of violence, and rediscover their dignity and honor as image-bearers of God. Let’s bring light to the Eastern Highlands and beyond, one story at a time.