Pacific culture and leadership transitions marked the opening of the 6th Trans Pacific Union Mission (TPUM) Session on Tuesday evening at Fulton Adventist University College in Sabeto, Fiji.
More than 120 delegates from 11 Pacific nations are attending the quinquennial gathering, which began with cultural elements that highlighted the host nation of Fiji and the wider Pacific. A Fijian warrior escort by Fulton students, the raising of national flags, the garlanding of leaders and a traditional welcome by the Fiji Mission set the tone for the session. Delegates also joined in singing hymns, the Fiji national anthem and the TPUM theme song Lord, I Will Go.
The ceremony also introduced new leadership across the South Pacific Division (SPD) and TPUM. South Pacific Division president Pastor Glenn Townend, returned to his role at this year’s General Conference Session in July for a third term, was reintroduced to delegates—his first visit to the Pacific since the election.
Pastor Townend addressed the gathering, “every time I come back here, I feel this is another one of my homes. And just seeing all of you brings back really good memories of when we served here, but also what God has been doing in our nation in the past five years.”
Pastor Townend spoke about the movement initiated in the Pacific with PNG for Christ and highlighted the upcoming TPUM for Christ in 2026. “As we gather here, we will be talking about what God has done—and what He has done is good and we praise His name. But what He will do as we gather, pray and look forward, will be amazing. God bless us as we grab the future together and go with Jesus.”
Pastor Townend also prayed for the new TPUM officers, including president Pastor Charlie Jimmy and secretary Pastor Clive Tefaatua—recently appointed at the Division Executive meetings—and returning chief financial officer Fraser Alekevu. Pastor Jimmy succeeds Pastor Maveni Kaufononga, who was recently elected SPD vice-president.
The evening closed with worship, a devotional message by former General Conference secretary Pastor GT Ng, and an official address from Pastor Jimmy.
