Women are continuing to take on new leadership roles in the South Pacific. Pastor Loleth Worwor was appointed secretary of the Vanuatu Mission this morning at the 6th (Trans Pacific Union Mission) TPUM Session. She will be the first woman to serve in this role at a TPUM mission.
Pastor Worwor responded with emotion to her appointment, saying she sees the role as a calling from God. She shared that she spent time in prayer before accepting the nomination, holding onto the promise in Hebrews 6:10: “I will not forget the love you have shown me by serving others.”
South Pacific Division president Pastor Glenn Townend affirmed her leadership capacity. “She has proved herself at the Union and at the Vanuatu Mission before and got very good commendation. I believe she’ll do really, really well.”
Pastor Worwor has been serving as Family Life, Women and Children’s Ministries director for TPUM since 2020. Before that, she served as Children and Welfare director for the Vanuatu Mission.
Alongside Pastor Worwor’s appointment, delegates also elected Maryanne Suisala as chief financial officer of the Samoa-Tokelau Mission. Pastor Townend said her election reflects the growing presence of women in leadership across the region. “It’s good to see women being involved in leadership,” he said. “Maryanne is very competent and I believe she will do a good job.”
Outgoing TPUM secretary Jane Gibson-Opetaia, who has served in the role since 2022, said she was encouraged to see more women stepping into leadership roles within the Church. “The appointment of women into leadership roles in the Pacific is more than representation; it strengthens our witness to younger generations that gifts of all members are valued,” she said.
In addition to these appointments, delegates confirmed new presidents, secretaries and CFOs for several missions across the TPUM.
TPUM president Pastor Charlie Jimmy, who had been leading the Vanuatu Mission since 2021, expressed confidence in his successor. “Pastor David George, I have known him as a very spiritual leader with strong interpersonal relationships,” he said. “A counsellor, a team player, really cooperates, listens and gets things done. I have full confidence in him to lead Vanuatu Mission in the next five years.”
Mission officer appointments confirmed at the TPUM Session:
MISSION PRESIDENTS
American Samoa, Pastor Tui Tuliatu
Fiji, Pastor Epeli Saukuru newly appointed
Kiribati, Pastor Taabua Rokeatau
Samoa Tokelau, To be confirmed
Solomon Islands, Pastor David Filo
Tonga, Pastor Fanueli Mataele
Vanuatu, Pastor David George newly appointed
MISSION GENERAL SECRETARIES
American Samoa, Pastor Tipalelupe Tapuai
Fiji, Pastor Senitiki Waqa newly appointed
Kiribati, Pastor Kereba Roroa newly appointed
Samoa Tokelau, Pastor Uili Tinomeneta newly appointed
Solomon Islands, Pastor Linray Tutuo newly appointed
Tonga, Pastor Sekope Finau
Vanuatu, Pastor Loleth Worwor newly appointed
MISSION CFOs
Fiji, Apisalome Seru newly appointed
Samoa Tokelau, Maryanne Suisala newly appointed
Solomon Islands, Braden Vavoso
Vanuatu, Rex Semeno newly appointed
