Seventh-day Adventists across the South Pacific Division (SPD) are being urged to unite in prayer and fasting as preparations continue ahead of the Trans Pacific for Christ evangelistic initiative.
Speaking during a recent update, Trans Pacific Union Mission (TPUM) president Pastor Charlie Jimmy said prayer must remain central as the Union prepares for the large-scale harvest program planned for July and August across the Pacific.
“We’re inviting the whole SPD to support Trans Pacific for Christ through prayer,” Pastor Jimmy said. “Whether individually or corporately, we encourage members to spend time in prayer and fasting as we prepare for this initiative.”
The TPUM team has already begun a weekly rhythm of prayer and fasting on Tuesdays, while several missions are also conducting dedicated prayer initiatives. Some territories are organising 40 days of prayer leading up to the harvest programs, while others are planning 100 days of prayer.
The evangelistic campaign is expected to involve more than 1100 sites across the region, with a goal of 24,490 baptisms and the planting of 419 new churches in unentered areas and non-Adventist communities.
More than 570 local preachers have already been identified, but organisers are still seeking more international volunteer preachers to help support the outreach effort. The Solomon Islands currently has the greatest need, requiring 148 preachers for 220 sites, while Fiji is seeking 71 preachers for 145 sites.
The preachers will follow the sermon series, “Horizons of Hope: The Mysteries Revealed”, prepared by Pastor John Bradshaw. Additional presentations have also been prepared by TPUM’s Health and Family Life department.
Financial support for the initiative has come from multiple levels of the Church, including close to $A3 million from the SPD and $2.3 million from the TPUM.
Pastor Jimmy acknowledged the Papua New Guinea Union Mission (PNGUM) for its support through a special offering.
“PNGUM will hold a nationwide special offering on April 25 to support Trans Pacific for Christ,” he said. “On behalf of the TPUM team, I want to say thank you for this support of our harvest program.”
Church institutions are also participating in the initiative, including Fulton Adventist University, which is planning to support 12 evangelistic sites, including 11 in Nadi, Fiji, and one in Tonga.
Pastor Jimmy said the vision for Trans Pacific for Christ extends beyond the harvest meetings themselves.
“At the end of Trans Pacific for Christ, this is what we want to see,” he said. “Total member involvement. We want every organised church to run a harvest program, every pastor to conduct an evangelistic meeting and we want to plant churches in unentered areas.
“Most importantly, we want to ensure that those who are baptised are nurtured, assimilated and retained in the Church.”
To volunteer as a presenter for Trans Pacific for Christ, visit the South Pacific for Christ website.
