Joshua Essy Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea Wally and Phyllis Lee went to Papua New Guinea as independent missionaries in 1971. They joined Open Bible Churches in 1973 and established the Ivingoi Mission Station in the Eastern Highlands. Approximately 20,000 patients are treated annually in the medical clinic, which is currently managed by the national church leaders and staffed by Papua New Guineans. Funds for the building of a maternity ward for the clinic were raised by Women’s Ministries in the U.S. and construction began in 2008. In addition, the station maintains several self-help projects, such as coffee, gardens, cattle, and a sawmill. As of January of 2021, there are 32 Open Bible churches and 49 credentialed ministers ministering to 1,1550 members. A Bible institute is on the Ivingoi Mission property. Numerous missionaries have served in Papua New Guinea. The Goroka church was planted in 1999 and the M.O.V.E. construction team built a permanent structure in March 2001. The Mike Brandt family was appointed in 1996 and faithfully worked and ministered alongside the national pastors and established the INSTE program. After the 25th anniversary, Open Bible Churches of Papua New Guinea were nationalized and in 2007, the last missionary family, Mike and Cathy Brandt and their children, Mikayla and Aaron, departed the country. The national leaders have plans to reach other urban areas. They continue to manage the mission station and foster growth among the village pastors and churches. Joshua Essy was elected as national president in 2022 and serves as field director.