Papua New Guinea isolated villages benefit from regional initiative.

September 9, 2025 | Australia | Tracey Bridcutt, Adventist Record

A new Bible picture roll, developed by the South Pacific Division’s Ministry and Strategy Team (MST), is making it easier for people in remote communities of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and other places to learn and share the gospel message.

Papua New Guinea Union Mission (PNGUM) president Danny Philip said the initiative builds on work started during the previous quinquennium by the Discipleship Ministries Team, who first envisioned picture rolls for PNG.

Danny Philip, president of the Papua New Guinea Union Mission, with the new Bible picture roll. [Photo: Adventist Record]
“We came up with a very simple way that our people can relate the picture with the teachings we have,” Philip said.

The structure of the picture roll follows the Back to the Altar initiative, which highlights seven key principles:

  • Come to Jesus as You Are
  • Honor Jesus as Lord
  • Discover Jesus in Word and in Prayer
  • Ask for the Holy Spirit
  • Love Your Family
  • Disciple Others to Jesus
  • Look Forward to Jesus’ Soon Return

The resource contains 64 topics across 32 double-sided pages, covering the 28 fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, along with practical guidance for daily Christian living and spiritual growth.

Okapa district distribution of picture rolls. [Photo: Adventist Record]
“We wanted something that could nurture people as well as be used for witnessing,” Philip explained. “It’s a discipleship tool.”

The images were created by artist Phil McKay and contextualized for the South Pacific setting. Designed for rural and remote communities where electricity and technology are rarely available, the picture roll includes images, key memory verses, and supporting texts. A companion presenter’s guide offers additional study material and discussion questions using the GIFT Discovery Bible Reading method.

Durability was also a priority. Printed on waterproof, tear-resistant paper, the roll is lightweight—a little more than two kilograms, or less than five pounds—and easy to carry into villages.

The picture rolls have been welcomed by people living in remote communities. [Photo: Adventist Record]
A total of 11,200 copies have been printed, with 10,000 allocated to the PNGUM, 1,000 to the Trans Pacific Union Mission, and 200 to the Australian Union Conference. The first shipments have already reached Lae and are being distributed to communities in the Western Highlands and Eastern Highlands Simbu missions.

“I am hearing that everyone just loves it, and they are asking for more,” Philip said. “I am the product of a picture roll myself. My dad used to use picture rolls to run branch Sabbath School and to teach baptismal classes. When I was in high school, I also used picture rolls every Sabbath morning in nearby villages to help communities learn about Jesus.”

PNG’s visual culture makes this resource particularly effective. “The pictures tell a thousand stories,” he said. “We’ve put the gospel in a picture roll way to help people see the messages clearly. We believe the Spirit of the Lord will help them understand.”

One example of a picture—in this case, to teach about marriage and family according to the Bible. [Photo: Adventist Record]
The project was a collaboration between Philip and his MST colleagues Sven Östring and Nick Kross, Signs Publishing’s Nathan Brown and Andrew Irvine, the artist and graphic designer.

“If there is one project that I am very satisfied with, it would be this one,” Philip said. “I am very grateful to everyone who made it happen. It is a discipleship resource that will serve the church for many years to come.”

The original version of this story was posted on Adventist Record.