News from Sigatoka - Dec 13

Celebrating 20 Years of Mission (Fiji)

10 December, 2013

Nakasi Church was abuzz as 160 people took their seats for the 20th Anniversary Celebrations on Sunday 1 December. They came from the six congregations across Fiji that have grown from the humble ‘mustard seed’ beginnings of 1993.

Testimonies of physical healing, spiritual deliverance and life transformation were shared. Members from across the churches celebrated with performances in song and dance. Premila Prasad, a foundation member of the Nakasi Church, shared reflections from those early days and Jan Christensen, Queensland Mission Mobiliser, brought greetings from Australia. Barry Ward, one of the early pioneer missionaries, shared Paul's confident encouragement to the Philippians, "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion."

God's generosity and faithfulness was celebrated with an offering of $400FJD being given to assist the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. “With many members of our churches here living at a subsistence level themselves we were reminded of Paul's affirmation of the rich generosity of the Macedonian churches, giving, even out of their poverty, to bless their needy brothers and sisters in Jerusalem,” says Bruce Edwards, Director of the Fiji Community Churches of Christ. “Our hope and prayer is that the people of the Philippines will experience the practical reality of God's love through this gift.”

Church on the Move (Fiji)

27 November, 2013

People greet each other cheerfully and quietly take a seat. Quiet music forms a gentle background as Pastor Lim applies his skilled fingers on the keyboard. Stella Goundar is busy setting out the necessary resources on a table as she prepares to lead. The group is meeting in a room in a private hotel in Sigatoka rented by Pastor Lim, now transformed into a meeting space for the Sunday service.

The Sigatoka Church of Christ has met here for the past two weeks as it seeks a better permanent location. In recent months at the original site there was increasing concern expressed about the ‘competition' with another church group which has begun meeting in a nearby home. The nature of the neighbourhood and the use of amplification by the other group made concentration difficult for the members of the Sigatoka Church. Attempts to talk with leaders and others from the neighbouring group were unsuccessful. Pastor Lim, the Korean missionary who has been partnering with Pastor Muneshwar Goundar and assisting with transportation and music at Lomowai, offered the solution of his accommodation.

“Once again we praise God for Pastor Lim,” says Bruce Edwards, Director of the Fiji Community Churches of Christ. “He has made space available in the two units he is renting at a small private hotel. His schedule also means he is available to assist with music at that service too.”  

A trial period of meeting in the new space began two Sundays ago. The relocation resulted in lower attendance for the first week and the question of accessibility is one of the factors being considered in the trial period. “We really thank God for Pastor Lim and the provision of this space. It was a great relief and a lot nicer to worship in a quiet place,” says Muneshwar. “We appreciate prayer for wisdom and discernment in evaluating the long term viability of this venture,” says Bruce.