The Trans-Pacific Union Mission (TPUM), based in Suva, Fiji, has appointed new leaders for both its smallest and largest mission regions.
Dr Silent Tovosia has accepted a call to lead the Solomon Islands Mission (SIM), which is the largest TPUM region by membership (52,056). Dr Tovosia, an ordained pastor and Solomon Islander, has held the health portfolio at both SIM and TPUM.
“Dr Silent is a very inclusive kind of man; a very spiritual man,” said TPUM CFO Kingsley Wood. “We believe he has the capacity to weld a good team about him. Being a health man, he would love to see SIM becoming more actively involved in Atoifi Hospital.”
Dr Tovosia replaces Pastor Lawrence Tanabose, who, after coming out of retirement to fill the SIM presidency in 2016, will once again bow out of formal Church employment.
“The Trans Pacific Union leadership express their appreciation to Pr Lawrence for being willing to interrupt his retirement to serve as SIM President for the past 2 years,” said Mr Wood. “His experience and local knowledge are invaluable, and the Union is grateful.”
Dr Barry Oliver, who, as SPD president, served alongside Pastor Tanabose, described him as a “godly, talented leader”. “As general secretary, a position he held with distinction for six years, he was the first citizen of a Pacific island nation to hold a senior leadership responsibility at the South Pacific Division headquarters. I wish Lawrence and Rosina and their family the richest blessing of the Lord in the coming years,” Dr Oliver said.
The TPUM’s smallest mission territory by membership (2625) and largest by geography (4561 kilometres from east to west) will also gain a new leader in 2018.
Pastor Luther Taniveke, who has been lecturing in theology at Fulton College, will serve the Kiribati Mission as president, replacing Pastor Titau Tavita, who is returning to local church ministry.
Pastor Taniveke, a Solomon Islander, has served as a pastor in Kiribati previously. He has also worked at TPUM as a departmental director.
“When he was here he demonstrated good skills in terms of interpersonal relationships,” Mr Wood said. “We’re feeling he’ll be well placed to motivate our pastors and encourage our members in Kiribati to pull together more effectively and focus on mission.”
Two associate CFOs will spend much of 2018 as Acting CFOs in their respective missions: Clifton Oliver at SIM and Emma Poulter at Fiji Mission. Both positions are being vacated by CFOs who have expressed the desire to take on roles with less pressure and responsibility: Teddy Kingsley at SIM and Vic Bonetti in Fiji.
