PNG leaders appointed to head City Mission across PNG
CITY Mission PNG has marked an important milestone in its history with the appointment of three Papua New Guinean leaders to head its operations in Port Moresby, Lae and Madang.
The appointments of Joe Benson as general manager Port Moresby, Winston Orere as general manager Lae and Johnson Konny as general manager Madang were celebrated on Sunday, Aug 16, following a church service attended by City Mission staff, trainees, families and supporters.
The celebration also recognised the important role of families in supporting leaders and the work of City Mission PNG. The families of the three general managers joined the occasion, reflecting the Mission's belief that strong leadership is strengthened by strong families and communities.
For City Mission PNG (CMPNG), the appointments represent more than a change in management. For the first time, Papua New Guinean general managers are leading the Mission's operations across all three of its major locations.
City Mission PNG CEO Daniel Jackson said the appointments were an important step for the organisation and demonstrated the capability of national leaders.
"This is much more than three management appointments. These are Papua New Guinean leaders taking responsibility for organisations that serve Papua New Guinean people. Our role is to develop capable leaders, give them real responsibility and support them to succeed," Mr Jackson said.
City Mission PNG has served Papua New Guinea for more than 30 years. It is a Christian organisation working with vulnerable young men, women and children, with operations in Port Moresby, Lae and Madang.
It’s New Life Skills Training Centres at Mirigeda outside Port Moresby, Suambu near Lae and Hululan in Madang provide residential rehabilitation, education, vocational training, Christian discipleship and life skills for young men seeking to rebuild their lives.
The Mission also supports women and children through its safe houses and family programs, including Haus Ruth in Port Moresby, Haus Clare and the New Life Children Centre in Lae, and operates the New Life Christian School at Mirigeda.
The three general managers have substantial responsibility for the people, programmes, staff, facilities and partnerships within their regions. Importantly, they will also work closely together as a national leadership team.
Mr Benson said his appointment was an opportunity to serve and build on the work already being done in Port Moresby.
"I am grateful for the trust that has been placed in me. The responsibility is to look after our people, strengthen our programmes and make sure City Mission continues to give people the opportunity to change their lives," Mr Benson said.
Mr Orere said the appointments demonstrated the capability of Papua New Guineans to lead organisations serving their own communities.
"We understand our communities because they are our communities. We know many of the challenges our young people and families face. We now have the responsibility to lead well and find practical solutions," he said.
Mr Konny said national leadership also carried an obligation to develop the next generation of leaders.
"Leadership should not finish with us. We need to develop the people behind us so that more Papua New Guineans are ready to take responsibility in the future," Mr Konny said.
City Mission PNG's work is centred on long-term transformation rather than short-term assistance. Young men entering its residential program can spend more than a year progressing through structured rehabilitation, education, work, life-skills and vocational training before returning to their families and communities.
The organisation is also strengthening its focus on measurable outcomes, including successful reintegration into families and communities, employment readiness, vocational skills, leadership development and the safety and recovery of vulnerable women and children.
Mr Jackson said developing national leadership was an important part of making City Mission stronger and more sustainable for the future.
"The future of City Mission PNG must increasingly be led by Papua New Guineans. International experience and partnerships remain valuable, but sustainable organisations are built when national leaders have the authority, skills and confidence to lead them," Mr Jackson said.
He said one of the most important expectations of the new General Managers would be their relationship with each other.
"Port Moresby, Lae and Madang are not three separate missions. They are one City Mission PNG. Joe, Winston and Johnson will share ideas, solve problems together and help build consistent standards across the country," he said.
City Mission PNG Chairman Ron Brew said the appointments represented the fulfilment of a long term Board aspiration supporting the development of strong national leadership throughout the organisation.
"The Board is very pleased to see Papua New Guineans leading City Mission in all three locations. We congratulate Joe, Winston and Johnson, but leadership also brings responsibility. Their task is not only to lead well today, but to develop the Papua New Guinean leaders who will follow them," Mr Brew said.
Sunday's celebration recognised both the three men and what their appointments represented. It also recognised the families who stand alongside them and whose encouragement, sacrifice and support are an important part of successful leadership.
For the trainees and younger staff attending the church service and celebration, the occasion provided a visible example of Papua New Guineans progressing into positions of significant responsibility.
City Mission PNG founder Larry George said seeing Papua New Guineans leading the Mission across the country was a significant moment.
“When City Mission began, the hope was always that Papua New Guineans would increasingly take ownership and lead the work. To see Joe, Winston and Johnson now leading our three locations is something very special,” Mr George said.
For City Mission PNG, it marks the beginning of a new chapter: three Papua New Guinean general managers, supported by their families, leading three regions as part of one national Mission.
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