Port Moresby, 12 July 2025 – As Papua New Guinea celebrates its golden jubilee of independence, we remember not only political milestones but also the unsung heroes who, through faith and quiet action, helped lay the moral and social foundations of our young nation. One of these was Jimmy Wan—a humble Lae businessman, church builder, coffee pioneer, and servant of God—who passed away on 24 June 2025.
At his Celebration of Life held in Brisbane on Thursday, 10 July 2025, cousin and lifelong friend Ben Woo delivered a heartfelt eulogy, reflecting on a life of remarkable humility, faith, and service that touched communities across PNG.
Jimmy’s legacy began with his family’s deep roots in Papua New Guinea. The Wan family arrived in PNG in 1914, initially working under the German colonial administration before establishing themselves in business. In 1953, Jimmy’s father opened Wan Jin Wah, one of Lae’s earliest Chinese trade stores, located on 7th Street. The store became a community landmark—a place where generations of Papua New Guineans did their shopping, and where values of hard work and service were passed on.
“I decided to keep the name of the shop as Wan Jin Wah so that Jimmy’s father, Uncle Wan Jin Wah, and Jimmy’s legacy will live on,” said Ben Woo, who took over the store with his wife Nancy in 2013.
Beyond retail, Jimmy ventured into agriculture and became a pioneer in the Highlands coffee industry. In 1956, at just 20 years old, he became the first Chinese person to plant coffee in the Highlands, defying expectations and overcoming many personal challenges—including a debilitating stutter and post-war trauma. He went on to establish Korona Coffee in Eastern Highlands, which rose to become one of Papua New Guinea’s top 10 coffee brands—internationally respected for its quality and proudly homegrown origins.
His remarkable life is captured in the biography A Caffeinated Faith, which recounts his survival during World War II—hiding from Japanese troops in the jungles of Wain, his personal battles, and his eventual rise as a leader in both business and faith.
The Faith that Built Churches
Jimmy Wan’s post-retirement years were defined by an extraordinary mission: the renovation and restoration of Lutheran churches across Papua New Guinea—a mission that began in 1998, after he gave his personal testimony at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Lae, the same church he had attended as a child in the 1940s.
“St. Andrews Lutheran Church at Ampo was his first project, as it held a special place in his heart,” said Ben. “It was where Jimmy attended church after World War II.”
After seeing the church in disrepair, Jimmy was moved to act. A committee was formed in the late Bishop Wesley Kigasung’s house, comprising Mr Jacob Sawanga, Barth and Meshach Philemon, Joe Inara, the late Angu of Labu, and builder Rod Lyght, who travelled and worked alongside Jimmy to assess and rebuild churches in need.
Over the years, Jimmy supported renovations and restorations at numerous churches including:
- St Andrew’s, Ampo, Lae
- Resurrection, 7th Street, Lae
- Busamang, Morobe
- St Paul’s, Lae
- Our Saviour, Lae
- Asini Church, Morobe
- Aluki Church, Morobe
- Bukawa, Morobe
- Aiyura, Eastern Highlands
- Yonki, Eastern Highlands
- Kainantu, Eastern Highlands
- Yalu, Morobe
- Aromot, Morobe
- A new church in Manus (now underway)
“Jimmy gave money and musical instruments and helped to restore churches,” Ben said. “Jimmy’s last trip to PNG was in 2018 for the rededication of the church at Bukawa. There was a big celebration that day.”
“Transporting wooden forms there was a big task, using banana boats.”
The Bukawa church had survived WWII and was used as a Japanese military meeting site during the war.
Faith in Action, Not Headlines
Despite the scale of his contributions, Jimmy never sought recognition.
“Jimmy was a humble person. He did not seek newspaper or media coverage,” said Ben. “I know for sure that he lived a full life and God watched over him and blessed him too. He wanted people to know about God and to be thankful to God.”
He and Rowena, his wife, returned regularly to PNG, always staying with Ben and Nancy Woo. Their visits were filled with long conversations, shared meals, and laughter.
“We had many long and wonderful conversations and shared many good laughs,” said Ben. “Jimmy and I shared the same love of food—we loved our food and sweet kai. Nancy and I really miss him so much.”
A Call to Reflect and Rebuild
Jimmy’s mission resonated with other church leaders, including Jacob Sawanga, former Lae City Manager, who reminded the public that the restoration of churches symbolises the need for spiritual renewal—a call for the people, who are the true church, to reflect inwardly.
A Final Blessing
“Please stay strong Rowena, Terry, Warren, and Cathy—and all of the Wan Family,” Ben said in closing. “On behalf of my family and the members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Papua New Guinea, we want to say thank you very much for sharing Jimmy with us. God bless.”
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