From the islands of Vanuatu to the heart of Australia, The Commissioners have carried a mission of hope through song. What began in 1996 on Santo Island, Vanuatu, found new life in Australia when founder David Avock, alongside Glen Thompson, Ronnie Ngwele and Joel Toa, reignited the group’s ministry in 2021. “We were once singing together back home in Vanuatu,” David shares, “and being away in a foreign land, it’s difficult, especially if you’re alone. It’s easy to be weak spiritually. But we praise God for His Spirit that leads us to be together in a continent such as Australia, volunteering with all our hearts so God can use us to lead someone to find Jesus before the world comes to an end.”
Rooted in unity, fuelled by faith
The group’s journey in Australia began when David, who first arrived under the seasonal workers’ scheme, united with fellow Ni-Vanuatu musicians.
“Our biggest challenge is the long distances we have to travel every weekend to be together for our singing ministry,” David explains. “We all work in different farms, sometimes three to four hours away from each other. But we thank God for providing us the means to continue the ministry and those who remember us in their prayers.”
A ministry of melody and mission
The Commissioners’ weekends are filled with bookings—nearly every Sabbath—singing in Adventist churches, for Sunday congregations and community events. “It’s very important for us as singers to use our talents and gifts to bless others and influence our societies to live a godly life, especially this new generation,” David says. “Most people might resist listening to preaching but will pause to listen to sweet music and melody. That’s when the Spirit will drive God’s words into the listener’s heart.”
God’s providence has marked their path. “When we first formed the Australian-based group, we were living in South Australia and were invited by a Church of Christ member, Alan Parker, a 90-year-old grandpa,” David recalls. “He offered his home to us every weekend for practice sessions and funded all our trips using his truck to get us to sing in churches all around South Australia.”
Grateful for the support churches nationwide have gifted, including meals, funds and prayers, David acknowledges the challenges that still persist, including gruelling travel and financial strains. “We rely on prayer,” David emphasises. “It’s what sustains us.”
Heart for home, eyes on eternity
While ministering in Australia, The Commissioners stay connected to Vanuatu through daily social media check-ins and family prayers. “We have families at home, and it’s an everyday duty for us to connect with them,” David says. “We thank our families for their continuous prayers that keep us strong together to work and do ministry here in Australia.”
Join the harmony
The Commissioners invite churches and communities to experience their uplifting ministry. “We believe it’s that burning desire within us, driven by God through His Spirit, that leads us to volunteer in this singing ministry,” David shares. “On November 30, 2024, we were invited to run a fundraising concert at Canberra National Seventh-day Adventist church, to raise funds for the reconstruction of a cyclone-destroyed church in Vanuatu. It was humbling to see church and community members donate more than $A16,000 for the church project.”
If you feel compelled to support The Commissioners in ensuring their songs of faith and hope continue to resonate across Australia, you can donate to their ministry on their GoFundMe fundraising page gofundme.com/f/the-commissioners-australia-singing-ministry.
To invite The Commissioners to sing, please contact David Avock at the
commissionersaustralia@gmail.com or +61459 15 64 29.
Sonja Kama is a wife, mother and communications and digital media professional.
