Seventh-day Adventists around the South Pacific gathered for a special time of prayer on Friday evening (November 12) with a focus on religious freedom.
About 100 people participated in the online prayer gathering, including church groups from Albury (NSW), Port Augusta (SA) and Manjimup (WA). The event was organised by the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty team at the South Pacific Division (SPD).
Short introductions to the prayer topics were presented by SPD president Pastor Glenn Townend, SPD Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director Dr Nick Kross, Trans Pacific Union Mission president Pastor Maveni Kaufononga, Australian Union Conference (AUC) president Pastor Terry Johnson, and AUC Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director Pastor Michael Worker. The participants then prayed together in small groups.
Prayers were offered for God’s guidance and leading, for state and national leaders, for the staffing of Adventist schools in Fiji, and for the Religious Discrimination Bill and other legislation being debated by governments around Australia.
Dr Kross said the prayer gathering was the first hosted across the South Pacific and there will be more to come.
“We are aware of the many issues that are being discussed at state and national levels in parliament, and our desire is to enlist God’s guidance with our government leaders,” he said.
“As a faith-based organisation, our values are founded upon Scripture. Many of these values are being challenged and like many Christians before us, we are to seek God’s guidance, protection and leading at this time.
“Let us all continue to pray as we continue to share the faith we have in Christ and the message of hope He provides for us.”
