Upper Room Ministry              Founder , Apostle & Pastor  Roberts Timakata               "Changed in His presence"
Mission Middle Bush, September 2006 New Center Opens in Middle Bush Tanna   The fire continues to spread throughout the northern island of Tanna, land of the cargo cult, John Frum, and the world's most active and accessible volcano and wild horses.   Let by firebrand evangelist Semu, new ground is once again gained for the Kingdom of God in a very traditional village of Middle Bush area, North Tanna. At the Middle Bush area, the people still retain much of their culture and traditional ways of life. Many others have tried to make entrance into this area but failed because of a paramount chief who commands his people almost with a rod of iron, but very much loved and respected - in fact much more loved and respected than God.   But when God showed king Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel chapter two that every other kingdoms shall be brought down by the Kingdom of God, he confirmed it here in Middle Bush. Even with a king as almost dictatorial as the paramount chief, God said the heart of the king is in his hand and He can turn it whichever way he wills (Proverbs 21:1) - and that's exactly what happened in Middle Bush Tanna.   The spark started for Middle Bush Tanna at the opening of the North Tanna Center in May 2006, when some members from Middle Bush were at this North Tanna opening. Too late devil, what God started He will see to it that it is completed! (Philippians 1:6)   The senior Pastor, Pastor Joseph, his wife Sala, assistant Pastor, Pastor Michael, and Pastor Jotham flew to Tanna to dedicate and to witness the opening of the new center. They also appointed 21 new leaders to look after the work of this new center. Among these new leaders were pastors, deacons, youth leaders, and women leaders. The son of the paramount chief, Karl, was also appointed among the youth leaders. These new leaders were presented with certificates to certify their appointments as new leaders of the Middle Bush Upper Room Church. The paramount chief was excited about this project, that he gave almost a whole hectare of land for this new church, a new 'baby' as they call it.   Please, click on the picture above to see the slide show of pictures taken at the opening. But Tanna will continue to experience reformation of whole villages and communities, chiefly leadership and the youth. The young people can compose really inspired and anointed songs. The senior Pastor's team came back to Port Vila with some of these songs, and the Church in Port Vila has been singing these Tannese songs ever since, one of which is I TANGIEN...YESU RAHAK (I am so happy... Jesus is mine..)
Happy 6th Birthday Upper Room Upper Room Ministry Celebrates 6th Birthday   Six years is not a very long time, but for a ministry this huge with immense responsibility and much to learn, it IS a long time.   This year, 2006, on Sunday July 2nd, Upper Room Ministry celebrated its 6th anniversary. On the same date 6 years ago, the ministry was born, with the late Pastor Robert Timakata and handful of young and inexperienced but dedicated and passionate leaders.   The theme for the sixth birthday "Your Own Upper Room Experience!" Various examples of upper room experiences were selected from the Bible to shape the messages thru dramas and songs that Sunday.   This was also the first birthday of the ministry that the late founder was not present. A moment of silence was made to remember a great Apostle of God and a spiritual father.     The senior pastor's message for the 6th birthday was "Stay Seated!"  Click on the picture above to see some good photos of this event. Or click on the picture on the right to read the senior pastor's speech.
North Tanna Mission, 2006 New Centre Opens in North Tanna   The senior pastor, pastor Joseph Roberts, his assistant, pastor Michael Alick, pastor Jotham Napat and Mrs Napat were in the southern part of Vanuatu early May to open yet another centre in north Tanna.   Not the first, and certainly not the last one, this had been the result of the work of a passionate and firebrand evangelist, pastor Semu. This is the 7th of the centres opened so far on the island of Tanna, an island that yet retains much of its cultural traditions, and one greatly influenced by the cargo cult John Frum.   During this north Tanna mission, many young boys and girls, and some mothers, were water baptised. New leaders were also ordained to take over the work in this new centre.   One very influential chief gave his heart to the Lord and asked that his son also be ordained as one of the youth workers in the new centre.   God is good, as the fire continue to burn far and wide around Tanna. Click on the photo above to see some neat photos of this event.
Women's Mission to Greenpoint, Tanna Women's Ministry Tanna Mission, 2005     Eight women of the women's ministry of the Upper Room Ministry, together with the senior pastor and the assistant pastor, did a one week mission trip to Green Point in South Tanna, to help the mothers catch up with what God is doing.   Armed with songs, testimonies, skits, and teaching materials, and the odd second hand clothes, the ladies boarded Vanair to take South Tanna by storm.   Miracles after miracles were witnessed meeting after meetings, as people receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, get healed, get radically transformed, even some got healed by PROXY.   Click on the picture on the right to see a photo slideshow of this story...
New Senior Pastor Ordained The Baton and Torch is Passed on to a New Generation   Very historic and very moving, it was. A father still alive and seeing his passion and mantle being transferred to his son.   There is not many incidences like this one - where a father actually sees his mantle being transferred onto his own son - maybe we've seen it in other areas, but 'senior' pastor, paleeeesse!   Pastor Robert Timakata, the outgoing senior pastor, and founder of Upper Room Ministry, as well as a long time-veteran pastor of Assemblies of God Vanuatu, was a proud daddy as he passed the torch to his only son, Joseph Roberts Timakatamuri.    Also witnessed during this event, was the ordination of one new pastor, and several elders, deacons, deaconesses, and ushers and youth workers.   Overseeing and officiating the whole process was pastor Luke Franklyn from Four Square Church and helped by a body of Presbytery - pastor Yuen Atnelo (Superintentant of AOG), pastor Obed Sandy (Senior pastor Triumphant City Church) and many more.   Click on the picture above to see a photo slideshow of this story...
Land Marks in the History of Upper Room Ministry First Ordinations in this new ministry, 2001: (L-R) Jack D Matariki (Youth Pastor); Joseph Roberts (Muisc Ministry); Joe Tuigaloa (Cells Ministry); Michael Alick (Assistant Pastor); Jotham Napat (Ministry of Evangelism).      Pastor Lee Perick from Faith International Australia, administers the ordination.       Celebrating two years of the Upper Room Ministry, after being birthed on the 2nd of July, 1999.   Senior pastor and founder, Pastor Roberts Timakata (right) cuts the birthday cake, while Pastor Michael (center) and Mrs. Timakata (left) looks on.