My name is David Gela, and I am from the West New Britain Province of Papua New Guinea. I had six brothers and sisters, and our parents were pioneer missionaries with the Methodist Overseas Mission, which eventually became part of the United Church of PNG. My father served as a pastor for more than thirty years.
 
I became a Christian in 1972 when I was in high school. My conversion experience came about as a result of watching a film produced by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.  I accepted the grace and mercy that God extended to me, a sinner, and was saved for eternity. Since that time, the Lord has led me all the way to where I am today.

When I accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord, I saw the importance of having the Word of God in a language I could understand in order to make sense of God’s love message to me. At my conversion, those who counseled and mentored me showed me the crucial role that the Word of God would have as I grew in my faith. The Word of God has helped me to discover who God is and His plan for my life.

The Word of God has transformed my life and continues to bring about spiritual growth. As I was completing my undergraduate study program in 1979 at the University of Papua New Guinea, the Lord led me to take on a role as Director, and to develop the newly formed PNG Bible Translation Association.  I soon married my wife, Sineina, and we moved to Ukarumpa in the Eastern Highlands of PNG to begin this new position.

Over the twenty-nine years that my wife and I have been involved in the Bible translation movement in PNG, God has proved over and over again His faithfulness in meeting all of our needs.  Like physical food keeps the body vibrant and alive, God’s Word nourishes my spiritual life.  As I read, talk about, meditate on, and apply God’s Word, more and more I discover and enjoy His plan for my life.