Core Values

Pacific Yacht Ministries (PYM) is a self supporting ministry affiliated with the Seventhday Adventist Church. PYM is responsible for all projects carried out under its current Memorandum of Understanding. Its charter is to minister to the health needs of Pacific Islanders. It is committed to offering medical and dental care and health education to people in areas where such services are not readily available. Such services are offered to people regardless of race, religion or creed.

Whilst PYM is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, volunteers will not be involved in active proselytising. Such activity has the potential to create barriers for people of differing religious persuasions and may prevent them from accessing the services offered. Refraining from proselytising is also a requirement of the Memorandum of Understanding between PYM and the Vanuatu government. Failure to observe this requirement could cause PYM’s work to be discontinued. PYM is committed to relieving human suffering with nothing expected in return.

Because of the potentially destructive effects of alcohol, tobacco and recreational drugs on people’s health and relationships, the Seventh-day Adventist Church promotes a drug free lifestyle. Such a lifestyle is also promoted in health education programs for Pacific Islanders. While volunteers may not personally share this value it is expected that they will maintain a recreational drug free and alcohol free lifestyle during their service opportunity with PYM.

PYM welcomes any potential volunteers who are committed to serving humanity regardless of their religious background. It will be expected that all volunteers will be respectful of each other’s beliefs. Daily prayer time as a team is an essential part of PYM’s operations and as such all volunteers will be invited to participate. Non-participation due to one’s personal convictions will always be respected. Seventh-day Adventists worship on Saturday (the biblical Sabbath) and regard this day as a day of rest. All volunteers will be welcome to participate in worship services on Saturday. Individual convictions regarding Sunday as a day of rest will also be respected.

As PYM is regarded by those it serves as a Christian project it will be expected that all volunteers will conduct themselves in a way that is in keeping with Christian values. These values are perhaps best articulated in 1 Corinthians 13.

Volunteers who feel they can abide by the above values will be most welcome to apply to serve with PYM.