Sixteen lecturers and students from Sonoma Adventist College in Papua New Guinea are participating in the Trans Pacific for Christ evangelistic campaigns in Vanuatu and Fiji this month.
The initiative, sponsored by the South Pacific Division through the Institute of Public Evangelism, is giving participants an opportunity to share the gospel while gaining ministry experience in a different cultural setting.
According to college leaders, this is the first time in the history of Sonoma Adventist College and its Ministerial and Theology Department that lecturers and students have been sent outside the Papua New Guinea Union Mission for preaching engagements.
A group of lecturers is serving in the Vanuatu for Christ campaign, which began on August 9 and continues until August 22. The Fiji group comprises 11 selected students and Ministerial and Theology head of department Pastor Julius Divu Kaidavu. Fiji for Christ is being held from August 16 to 30.
Student John Dorobe said being selected to participate was a blessing for students and an affirmation of their calling to ministry.
Former Sonoma lecturer Barrie Abel Jr, who was recently called to serve at Pacific Adventist University, encouraged students remaining at the college to pray for those travelling to Fiji.
College leaders hope the initiative will pave the way for more students and lecturers to participate in similar evangelistic campaigns.
“I believe that such participation will surely bring a lot of meaningful learning experiences for the students [and] lecturers, and inspiration to other students who wish to experience such opportunities in the future,” Pastor Kaidavu said.
