On the eve of the Trans Pacific for Christ evangelistic campaigns, Adventists across the South Pacific united in prayer, asking God to bless the outreach now underway in Solomon Islands, Nauru and Tokelau and the campaigns set to begin across the region in the coming weeks.
Churches, families and individuals took part in a special Sabbath of Prayer on July 4, while many also joined a 48-hour online prayer vigil that connected worshippers from across the Division.
The prayer vigil began in French, led by members from New Caledonia, before continuing around the Pacific, concluding in Australia. Throughout the weekend, participants shared Scripture, sang together, prayed, received mission updates and heard testimonies from those preparing for the evangelistic meetings. One of the many inspiring moments came when a group of Pathfinders participating in an expedition on a remote island off the Queensland coast joined the vigil and offered prayers and read Bible verses.
South Pacific Division (SPD) president Pastor Glenn Townend said the weekend demonstrated the strength of the church family across the Pacific.
“We had churches and groups praying all around the Pacific,” he said. “Just hearing the different people—young people, older people, different cultures—it’s been a real blessing.”
The prayer vigil reached from Niue to Nauru, from Tuvalu to Tonga—and even to Pitcairn Island—with sessions led by church leaders and members, local missions and conferences.
Pastor Townend joined the vigil several times from the Solomon Islands, where he has travelled to be a presenter for Solomon Islands for Christ.
“I know that God is hearing our prayers. God is doing amazing things and these nations of ours will turn to Jesus and His kingdom,” he said. “As we work with Him and pray, we will have some really good missionary stories to tell the next generation.”
The prayer vigil also gave participants the opportunity to hear live updates from the mission field.
Speaking from Nauru, SPD governance development officer Dr Steve Currow shared that preparations for the meetings were largely complete despite travel disruptions.
“We’ve got things ready to roll. Our two sites are set up. We are looking forward to the program,” he said.
“It has been unseasonally wet here . . . we have confidence that we will have the ability to have an open-air meeting for the next two weeks and we pray that the weather will hold in the evening for that. We would certainly appreciate your ongoing prayers to ensure that that may happen.”
From Tuvalu, Miriama Waqa reflected on the encouragement of praying alongside fellow believers from across the Pacific.
“It’s so wonderful to be connected with every one of you across the Pacific, to join in prayer. And Tuvalu—we are not alone,” she said.
“Thank you so much for praying for us. We can see that the Holy Spirit is moving here in Tuvalu.”
Among those encouraged by the prayer vigil was Dr Steve Stephenson, director of mission integration at Adventist HealthCare.
“Almost 32 hours over the weekend, my wife and I have had the privilege of joining the prayer sessions through Zoom, and we have been greatly enriched, strengthened and spiritually uplifted,” he said.
“We have sensed the presence of the Holy Spirit in a deeper and more powerful way, and this experience has renewed our faith, encouraged our hearts and drawn us closer to God as a family.
“This Prayer Sabbath has been one of the most meaningful Sabbath experiences we have had, and it will remain a treasured blessing to our family.”
