As part of the Pacific-wide month of evangelism, 28 people were baptised in the lagoons of Tarawa Atoll, Kiribati, on Sabbath, July 27.
This followed two weeks of nightly meetings at the churches in Betio (15 baptisms), Korobu (one) and jointly at Bikenibeu and Bonriki (12).
“We praise God and we thank our pastors, ministers as well as our members for this achievement of one per cent growth to our total membership of around 2800,” said Kiribati Mission president Pastor Luther Taniveke.
Many more are still having Bible studies and some baptisms are being planned for churches in Tarawa over the next two weeks.
Among the 15 baptised by Pastor Taniveke from the Betio group were a man with a disability and his wife, and an elderly lady who started attending the meetings without the support of her husband but who is now interested in Bible studies and baptism.
Some of the willingness of these new members to make a decision for baptism has been attributed to the conviction from the Adventist messages they received through the new Hope Radio station.
“The total number of baptisms in the country will surely increase as reports are yet to be received from Christmas Island, which is two time zones from us in the capital, Tarawa,” Pastor Taniveke said.
He added that baptisms have yet to take place in the other outer remote islands that the three pastors on Tarawa will have to travel to during the coming weeks and months.
The meetings were conducted by Minister Taabua Rokoeatau in Betio, Pastor Tarantekai Terieta in Korobu and Pastor Taraitoi Uriam in Bikenibeu and Bonriki.
