Pastor warns youths against life of crime

YOUTHS are supposed to live and enjoy a meaningful life in the community because it is not normal to live a life associated with social problems, according to a pastor.
Universal Church of PNG senior pastor Jonathan Pine said youths should have a normal life, but they thought that surviving through criminal activities, living an abusive life and creating social problems were normal.
“We want to let young people know that it is not normal to be living a life full of criminal activity with the pain and suffering,” he said.
“Youths play a big role in law and order problems today.”
He said this last week during a church event led by Victory Youth Group (VYG) under the theme “It is not normal” where the youths in Port Moresby were invited to participate in social programme like dramas, dances and sporting activities.
Pine said some youths in the church caught through the activity of VYG and turned their lives to God through involving in different church activities.
A 17-year-old, Tom Pakale, from Jiwaka, testified that he had changed his past life of being addicted to smoke and being a thief to survive when he join the group.
“Before I joined the church and VYG, I used to be involved in many illegal things like some outsiders, what youths are doing,” he said.
“I was involved in bad relationships, bad companies, where I used to smoke and chew and stealing from neighbours.
“It was like normal to me but one day I was invited to participate with VYG and now I am free from everything.”
Pine said the church had youths meeting at 1pm every Sunday and 4pm on Wednesdays.
“We have acting, sports, boxing activities, as all these are part of our VYG activity,” he said.
“Youths who are bored and parents who are having problems with their children, you can bring them here to be part of something positive.
“Get them out of the street and involve them in something that will benefit them.”