The Rev. Robert Merrill Brock Memorial Tabernacle, a monumental new facility at Tambul Bible School in Papua New Guinea, was inaugurated in a vibrant celebration that drew nearly 10,000 attendees from across the nation and beyond. The event, filled with spiritual fervor and communal unity, welcomed missionary friends from the United States, West Papua, Indonesia, and Australia, uniting diverse voices in praise and gratitude for God’s work through this institution, founded by Rev. Robert Merrill Brock.

A Legacy Honored

The state-of-the-art tabernacle is a three-in-one complex, featuring office spaces for the School Principal and District Chairman, ministry rooms, classrooms, and a chapel on the ground floor. Costing over K4 million and taking six years to complete, the project was made possible through the generous prayers and financial contributions of districts and individuals. Brother David Sarowa, Board Chairman of Tambul Bible School, expressed heartfelt gratitude: "Your kind assistance and generosity have paved the way for this tabernacle. Continue your work for the extension of God’s kingdom."

The tabernacle was officially commissioned by Rev. Dr. Daniel Stetler, former President of Hobe Sound Bible College in Florida, USA. In a deeply meaningful moment, Sister Barb Brock, widow of Rev. Robert Merrill Brock, traveled from the United States to cut the ribbon, dedicating the building named in honor of her husband’s enduring legacy. Joining her were their daughter Julie Sproles, her husband John Mark, and their children Evan, Katelyn, Brooklyn, and Brayden, as well as their son Rick Brock, his wife Lisa, and their children Elaina and Ethan. The presence of the Brock family underscored the personal significance of the occasion, as they gathered to honor the missionary statesman who passed away on December 3, 2023, at the age of 82.

Rev. Brock, born on August 13, 1941, in Columbus, Ohio, felt called to foreign missions from an early age. After serving in the U.S. Air Force and studying at God’s Bible School in Cincinnati, where he met and married Barbara Lee Hopkins in 1967, he and Barb embarked on a 21-year missionary journey in Papua New Guinea starting in 1970. In 1972, Rev. Brock established Tambul Baibel Skul to train national pastors, serving as its president and teaching full-time for 17 years. The school has since produced over 2,000 graduates preaching across nearly every province in Papua New Guinea. His ministry, which emphasized salvation, heart holiness, and literacy in Melanesian Pidgin, left an indelible mark, further celebrated through his book Holines Long Bikpela (Holiness Unto the Lord). The tabernacle’s name honors his lifelong commitment to these principles and his transformative work in building the institution.

A Week of Spiritual Renewal

The grand opening was preceded by a week-long series of revival services that stirred hearts and transformed lives. Rev. Daniel Stetler and his son Paul delivered powerful sermons, leading many to spiritual renewal and salvation. The services culminated in a historic baptism ceremony at a newly constructed baptism pool, where 270 individuals—mostly young people, with a few adults—publicly declared their faith. This sacred site, first used for baptisms in the early 1960s, resonated with historical significance as the community witnessed this outpouring of faith. Attendees described a profound sense of God’s abiding presence throughout the week, with His spirit moving mightily in every service.

Rev. Wane Ninjipa, Chairman of the National Church, welcomed the Stetler and Brock families, emphasizing the significance of their presence. "I’m deeply grateful for your coming, especially Apo Sister Brock and the Stetlers. Your visit has made a difference, and I pray more missionaries will join us to reach the lost," he said. Rev. Stetler, visibly moved, shared, "I came to preach to you, but what God is doing in Papua New Guinea is preaching back to me. You are evidence of the transformative power of the Gospel and the labor of G.T. Bustin and countless missionaries who answered His call."

Reconciliation and Unity

The celebration also marked a powerful moment of reconciliation. The neighboring Tendepo Tribe of Tambul publicly apologized before the National Church leaders and the Brock family for past disrespect toward early missionaries and disruptions at the school. Sister Barb Brock graciously accepted their apology, offering prayers and blessings, as did Rev. Wane Ninjipa. This act of forgiveness deepened the sense of community and underscored the unifying power of the occasion, as past wounds were healed in the spirit of Christ’s love.

A Lasting Tribute

The opening of the Rev. Robert Merrill Brock Memorial Tabernacle stands as a testament to faith, perseverance, and the enduring impact of Tambul Bible School. Rev. Brock’s legacy, carried forward by his family—Barb, Julie, John Mark, Rick, Lisa, and their children—continues to inspire. As a beacon of spiritual education and worship, the tabernacle will nurture future generations of pastors and missionaries, perpetuating Rev. Brock’s vision of holiness and service. The celebration, marked by baptisms, reconciliation, and heartfelt worship, concluded on a joyous note, with the community united in glorifying God’s name and honoring a missionary hero whose life touched thousands across Papua New Guinea and beyond.