A family in Bureni, Naitasiri (Fiji), started observing the Sabbath and built a church two years before they got baptised in the Adventist Church on July 30. They were included in the more than 1400 people baptised in Fiji this year.
From Navuso Village outside Nausori Town in the Central Division, Semi Tubuduadua Lutunacagibula, 67, was a staunch Methodist lay preacher who was confronted by the Sabbath truths in a piece of literature in 1987.
Wrestling with his discovery for years, he resolved to leave his church in 2017. Two years later, Mr Lutunacagibula took another step in his faith journey and informed his family about his decision to keep the biblical Sabbath, asking them to decide within three months whether they would like to keep the Sabbath or return to their previous faith.
“At the end of the three months, we all decided to be Sabbath keepers and become Adventists and to observe the Lord’s Sabbath,” said Esala Madanavosa, the youngest of Mr Lutunacagibula’s two sons.
On July 30, Semi Tubuduadua, his wife Josefini Qativi and their children’s families were baptised in Naisilisili, Naitasiri. One of their sons-in-law, Semi Vakamoce Volau, was a former minister of the Methodist church.
“I have always questioned why the Adventists are different and is the single religion worshipping on Saturday,” said Mr Volau. “I am blessed to have found the answers in the Bible and also to be baptised into the faith.”
Fiji Mission (FM) president Pastor Nasoni Lutunaliwa said it was a joy to witness lives changed and committed to following Jesus into the waters of baptism.
“July is our harvest month and what a blessing to witness churches, church members and ministers unite their efforts in soul winning,” said Pastor Lutunaliwa.
According to Pastor Lutunaliwa, FM had baptised more than 500 people by June this year, with an additional 938 baptisms performed in July, bringing this year’s total number of baptisms to 1447.
Pastor Lutunaliwa explained that the Tebara and Naitasiri districts recorded the highest numbers, with more than 100 baptisms in the past month alone. Baptisms are still taking place each Sabbath in most newly entered areas in Fiji.
