Adventist Record reports that a young man who had been involved in criminal activity in Papua New Guinea publicly abandoned his gun before being baptized during a church evangelism and discipleship program. Eight other people were baptized alongside him. Another 39 said they wanted to prepare for baptism.

The outreach drew more than 1,300 participants, Adventist Record reports. It was not only preaching. The program included practical training, literacy activities and assistance for local families. It took place in August, and its results were reported on November 8.

The report gives few other details, and what it does give is enough. A man who once carried a weapon gave it up in public and was baptized. Eight others were baptized with him, and 39 more asked to prepare for the same step. The church that baptized him also offered literacy activities and help for families with real needs, which is how the gospel has always traveled, word and deed together.

A gun laid down and a new life taken up: that is the gospel doing what it does. Second Corinthians 5:17 describes it, and Luke 15:7 tells us how heaven answers it. Pray for this young man, that he will be grounded in God's Word and surrounded by believers who will walk with him. Pray for the 39 who want to prepare for baptism, that each one will follow through. And pray for the churches of Papua New Guinea, that their work of discipleship will outlast the headlines.