You Wouldn’t Recognize Him Now

THE CALL: 2024-2025    |    3 MINUTE READ
VERONICA PORTER, MISSIONARY IN PNG

Maxi was a young man from our community. He was a drug addict, stumbling through life in a haze of drugs, stealing from anyone and everyone so he could get his next fix.

He grew up on a Basal wood plantation in Rabaul, a town on New Britian, a smaller island of Papua New Guinea. However, his father had sent him back to their clan because Maxi was causing too much trouble at the plantation. 

Once here in Montanda, his habits didn’t change. He was causing problems for his clan at home, making them pay out a lot of money to compensate for his theft and the problems he caused in the community.

His uncles had had enough of Maxi and the troubles he was causing them, so they decided to kill him.

BUT GOD.

Aren’t those the best words?

But God got ahold of Maxi’s life. My husband, Seth, and his guys (a group of young men he disciples and who partner with him in ministry) went around the community, holding services with people’s family groups at their homes.

Maxi heard them and gave his life to Jesus.

Joseph (center) with a group of men on their way to do outreach with Seth Porter (far left)

If you knew Maxi before, you would not recognize him now. Jesus completely transformed him. He changed his name to Joseph, and joy just bubbles out of him. He loves Jesus fiercely and can’t stop praising Him. Almost every Sunday, he stands up to testify to what God has done in his life.

He was one way, and now he is another!

He is also so hungry for the Lord. He never missed Seth’s Wednesday night Bible study with his guys and many times would bring questions or verses he wanted to discuss. 

Seth discipled Joseph for two years. During that time, he grew in his faith and learned how to play guitar, lead service, and preach. He went on outreach trips with Seth where they preached in public places. He went on trips to church plants to hold special services or build their permanent church buildings.

Joseph (in white shirt, holding football) at a birthday party with the Porter children and friends

But Joseph didn’t forget his family and friends in Rabaul. He knew they needed Jesus, and he wanted them to have the new life he had found in the Lord. He approached Seth about visiting the plantation in Rabaul and planting a church there. Joseph volunteered to go back first and do some outreach in the community before Seth came, sharing the Gospel and drawing people into a small fellowship in anticipation of the church that would be planted.

So, Joseph set off to the plantation he grew up on, back to the people who remembered him as a trouble-making drug addict. But he went “home” transformed, filled with the Holy Spirit and carrying the life-changing Gospel. His own father had walked away from the Lord years ago, but after seeing Joseph’s transformation, he rededicated his life back to God and is helping his son in God’s work. Before Seth even arrived in Rabaul, Joseph had a small fellowship meeting and a haus sel, or tarp structure, set up to hold services in. 

Joseph (far left) playing guitar for a special song at his church

Seth visited Rabaul in February 2024 and was able to partner in ministry with Joseph again. They held a weekend of special services, and 26 people were saved! Seth left Joseph there as the pastor of a brand-new church plant, Gunanur Christian Union Church. Seth went back in August 2024, and the church has grown to 60 people! While Seth was there, they were even able to buy land for a church building, pastor’s house, and gardens for the pastor.

This former drug addict whose family was about to kill him is now pastoring a church!

ACTION STEPS

PRAY: Will you commit to praying for Joseph? Pray that God will continue His good work in and through Joseph and that He will protect him from the enemy. There is much darkness where Joseph is ministering, so your prayers will protect him and ensure that his ministry remains a thriving and transformative light in PNG.

GO: More missionaries are desperately needed in PNG, and you could help fill the gap! Check out our PNG opportunities to begin the journey of following God to PNG to partner with Him today.

Missionary Bio: Veronica Porter grew up as a missionary kid with WGM and was born and raised in Bolivia. She and her husband, Seth, have served in PNG since 2012 with their four children, and are passionate about church-planting and community development through biblical training. Follow their missions journey by viewing their giving page.