This coming Sabbath (October 10) is Pastor Appreciation Sabbath for the Seventh-day Adventist world Church. The following messages were sent to us from church members in recognition of the work and ministry of pastors across the South Pacific Division.
To all our pastors who are making a difference in our churches and local communities, we say “thank you”.
Daniel Matteo 
Tasmanian Youth director; Hilliard Christian School chaplain
He is gifted with insight, wisdom, knowledge, understanding and teaching from the Bible for children’s ministries through to young adults. His leadership shines when helping others with the importance of having joy and living with the Holy Spirit.—Donna Moss
David Mckibben
Wahroonga Church (NSW)
He has the heart of a shepherd. He is gentle, encouraging, approachable and earnest in his work for Jesus. We all love and appreciate him and his beautiful family, even though we don’t show it nearly enough!—Carol Boehm
Samuela Koro
Wailoaloa, Wainiyavu, Namuamua and Naimasimasi churches (Fiji)
I wish to recommend this minister who, through the power of the Holy Spirit, has planted churches in many untouched areas of Fiji. Although he has limited formal education, he is surrendered to the Lord’s service. He is an evangelist that God is using mightily. I praise God for this humble preacher.—Fulori Bola
Sitiveni Fine Teaupa
Sydney Tongan Church; Sydney Cook Island Church
This is our handsome, humble kind-hearted, multi-talented, God-fearing pastor. He is on call 24/7. He knows his holidays and days off will be interrupted by crises and deaths, but he doesn’t complain. He is a selfless man and a grateful man, he is a great multitasker. He is often found conducting our church brass band, composing and translating music from English to Tongan. He can sing solo better than Elvis Presely, and plays the guitar and different brass instruments. Our pastor is an amazing loving father, grandfather and husband, and has poured so much time, effort and passion into our church.—Jacinta Tuputupu
Maciej Kuberek
North Mackay and Walkerston Churches (Qld)
He was always destined for service. From a young age he based his full identity in Jesus, always studying the Word in spare moments. Maciej’s love for his church and community is only surpassed by his love for Christ.—Daniel Kuberek
Nixon Yuti
Boundary Road Church with three branch churches; Buimo Road Church (Morobe Mission, PNG)
His commitment is remarkable. The way he presents sermons is clear so uneducated church members can understand. He makes time to visit the branch churches and encourage the small congregations.—Doulos Ken
Eugene Gonzales Estil
New Norfolk Church; church planter (Tas)
He has a gift for working in the recreation area and loves involving himself in a number of ways. His gifts of insight, wisdom, knowledge, understanding and teachings from the Bible show others that it’s all about love and joy.—Donna Moss
Samuel Teldi Koim
Apiamp Church (Western Highlands Mission, PNG)
He is very active and skillful in church planting and discipleship making and building new branch churches. Many young people have given their lives to Jesus through the waters of baptism. I praise God for such a kind-hearted and hardworking pastor. We appreciate his help and service to our church and community.—Manua Samuel
Tim Shelton and Tapiwa Mutseriwa
Fountain in the City, Pendle Hill (NSW); Fountain in the City, Fairfield (NSW)
Thank you both for always being dedicated, selfless and hardworking pastors. Your unending passion for ministry and love for people is inspiring. You are an immense blessing to our church—please don’t ever leave. God bless your ministry!—Izabella Cuyuca
Martin Vukmanic
Kellyville Church (NSW)
Kellyville has been blessed to have Martin as a visionary leader for the past 15 years. He inspires, supports, mentors and cares for our community in so many ways, and we do truly appreciate him as our pastor and friend. (Pictured with his wife Drene Somasundram).—Rod Long
David Kosmeier
Wauchope and Camden Haven churches (NSW)
I love my pastor because the man of God he is in church is the same man of God he is at home, at a café, at Bunnings—everywhere he goes. He also never let being a pastor get in the way of being my dad.—Sharna Kosmeier
Jonathan Moses
Sarakata Church; four company churches (Santo, Vanuatu)
As well as pastoring multiple churches, Jonathan Moses is the Sanma District Ministry Leader. He loves God, his family and our church. He is God-fearing, proactive, welcoming, visionary, supportive of all church activities, encouraging leadership, sourcing funding for church projects, courageous in decision-making, conscientious and always active. (Pictured with his wife May Moses.)—Sarai Vaofanua-Stephens
Greg Campling
Ipswich Church (Qld)
How do we describe a man
Who sets aside each day
The time to serve his Master
In a plain and simple way?
How do we describe a man
Whose gentle, humble heart,
Displays the love of Jesus
In its fullness, not in part?
He is patient and he’s kind
Understanding and refined.
He is faithful and forgiving
Shares the gospel with mankind.
He is measured and he’s treasured
And we take this special time
To express our love and admiration
In a short and simple rhyme.—Lee Masher Kolbee
Usaia Baravi
Cabramatta Central Church (NSW)
Thank you Pastor Baravi for being:
Best pastor
Awesome teacher
Respectable
Amazing preacherVery kind
Incredible—Amiel Edian
Thank you Pastor Baravi for helping me learn about the second coming and how Jesus died to save us. I would like to thank you for praying for me when I was stressed with school assessments.—Noah Edian
Pastor Baravi is the best Bible study teacher. He always has goodies and food for us and he makes us laugh. He teaches us to be selfless. He is kind, understanding and ready to listen. We are happy to have him as our pastor!—Ariyana, Bethany and Ezekiel
What I love about Pastor Usaia Baravi is that he uses a lot of his precious time and energy to teach us young kids about how God is Almighty, how God created the world and how He’s our true Saviour.—Tevin Chhuo
Daniel Przybylko
Parramatta Central Church (NSW)
He is a man who opens his house to his church. Strong, yet gentle. Patient, yet kind. We appreciate his hearty laugh and things he has generously done for our church family. A power couple along with his energetic wife!—Parramatta Central
Utu Liuliu
Satala Church; Aua Ministry/Church (American Samoa)
Brother Utu is a very respectful, humble and god-fearing man. He speaks the word of God with clarity and is always prepared when the call comes for him to share the Word.—Selena Sionesini
I appreciate Brother Utu for his personality, talents and because he is an inspiration. He is filled with humility, kindness and respect. He always puts the need of others before his.—Mauola Metuli
Osea Raitila
Two Indian and three iTaukei churches in Nadi and Lautoka, Fiji
He has also served as a pastor in Savusavu, Labasa, Ba, Lautoka and as the chaplain of Fulton College (Fiji). In July this year, Pastor Osea ran an evangelism series in Hindi for four weeks on Hope Channel Fiji and Hope 107FM Radio about the end times. For some, they were really amazed to hear how an ITaukei (Fijian) person could preach so well in the Hindi language.—Sushiel Jit
William Moala
Dorrigo and Nambucca Heads churches
Will’s passion, sincerity, and dedication to God was clearly shown with his 5:30 am prayer challenge. He got up at 3:30 am and travelled to Dorrigo every day in August for 30 days. This incredible journey undertaken by church and community was not only inspiring but facilitated a growth in our personal love and connection to Jesus. His enthusiasm is infectious, and he’s forced us out of our complacency and encouraged us to dream big.—Jeannie Veitch and Deanne Reynolds
