Hundreds gathered at the funeral service for former Fiji Mission (FM) president Pastor Tom Osborne on August 17.
Members from across FM, faculty and students from Fulton Adventist University College and families from various regions gathered to pay their respects and reflect on his legacy.
Speaking at the funeral, one of Pastor Osborne’s sons, William, said, “His passing was unexpected, but we understood the impermanence of life.” His daughter Georgina reflected on his dedication: “despite his commitments, he always made time for our family”.
Commenting on Pastor Osborne’s character, former FM secretary Joe Talemaitoga said Pastor Osborne was known for his humility and consistent character. “Pastor Tom was a humble man. He also had an unmistakable cheeky glint in his eyes right before sharing one of his trademark jokes,” he said.
Pastor Jerry Ramakula, a former student of Pastor Osborne, mentioned the impact of his teachings. “Learning from Pastor Tom was an honour. One of the most significant takeaways from his teachings was the value of servant leadership,” he said.
Throughout his life, Pastor Osborne served the Adventist Church in different roles, starting his ministry in 1988 at the Suva Fiji Adventist Church as an intern. Two years later, he moved to Papua New Guinea, where he served as director of student services at Pacific Adventist University.
Back to Fiji in 1994, Pastor Osborne served at the mission office as youth, health, family and personal ministries director, being appointed president in 2001. In 2007 he moved to the Northern Australian Conference, where he served as a local church pastor. Retiring in 2018, he returned to Fiji and served at Fulton as a lecturer until 2022.
As Fulton College and the Adventist community in Fiji process this loss, Pastor Osborne’s dedication to service, teachings and faith continue to resonate with many. Condolences have been extended to his family and those affected by his passing.
