Updates

19–22 October 2026

Over four days in East Kwaio, local pastors gathered for training in reading and preaching God’s Word. Sessions covered the doctrine of Scripture and practice in the inductive method of Bible study: observe, interpret, apply. Pastors also learned to see how all of Scripture points to Christ. The aim was simple: preaching that grows out of the text itself and leads clearly to the gospel.

The week reinforced PBM’s long-term vision: a gospel-clear local church at the centre, growing three connected pillars (education, health, and discipleship that forms leaders), toward self-sustaining communities led by trained local pastors and teachers.

• Church sermons: 2
• Training sessions: 10
• Phonics workshops: 5
• Computer workshops: 5

Time on the ground

Two church sermons were preached — one in Pijin. Ten training sessions were held: five on phonics and five on computer skills.

Pijin ministry

The sermon in Pijin was not planned. It showed that Pijin is now usable for clear gospel proclamation, not only conversation. Local people approached more readily once they heard Pijin, which lowered the barrier to ordinary ministry contact.

Teacher training

Teachers judged this workshop more useful than the last two in Honiara, because it was more practical. The earlier Honiara workshops still matter: the mindset and frameworks from those sessions are easy to undervalue, but they are what this practical work sits on.

Phonics and curriculum

Assumptions had to be revised. Teachers needed the content itself — not only textbook use and model lessons — so the full curriculum and phonics rules were taught. That points to a capacity gap for the education arm, not only a delivery issue.

Finding 1: Kwaio literacy

Kwaio literacy is the main gap. No one is reading the Bible in Kwaio because they have not been taught to. The highest-yield curriculum change is to begin phonics in Kwaio, then English.

Finding 2: Clear Bible teaching

Clear Bible teaching remains a core unmet need. Teachers welcomed Scripture in the curriculum, and educational satisfaction is higher this visit — but higher satisfaction should not be read as the discipleship need being met.

Next institutional priority

Kwaio-first literacy tied to Bible reading, alongside continued clear teaching of Scripture.

Work on Emarald Baptist School commenced at Jordan. The first of four teacher-training sessions was held in Honiara, preparing teachers for children from 14 communities.

Tribal leaders signed a memorandum of understanding granting historic access across customary land for a road that would bind isolated villages to church, school, and clinic. Construction remains pending partners.

The clinic opened after materials were carried 8 kilometres on foot. Starlink was introduced so care and communication are not cut off when the river rises.