Tarawa, Kiribati’s capital and most populated atoll, welcomed seven international speakers from all over the South Pacific Division for the first phase of Kiribati for Christ, which ran from August 15 to 29. For many of them, it was their first time visiting the country.
According to Pastors Tamanui Mohi and Wilfrid Raurahi, who both pastor in French Polynesia, it was “a blessing to come to Kiribati to preach”. French Polynesia has its own challenges, with only 17 pastors looking after 62 churches, but Pastor Mohi said, “We are glad for the opportunity have come help our brothers from the Pacific.” He reiterated that they were not only there to share the Gospel, but to “share blessings with each other”.
One aspect of life in Kiribati the pastors pointed out was the opposition of other denominations towards the Adventist church.
“The Sabbath is a topic that interests people here,” said Pastor Raurahi. He explained how a bar right next to his site blasted music the first couple nights while he preached. However, the night when the Sabbath was the topic, the bar turned off the music and lights, and the customers sat in silence. “At first I thought they would make trouble,” said Pastor Raurahi. “But no, they just sat and listened.”
Many people in Kiribati have been dissuaded by their church leaders to attend Adventist meetings. One attendee at Pastor Raurahi’s site was told by his church leader he would be “cast away from the church” if he continued to attend the Kiribati for Christ meetings.
“They see their church leaders as being close to God,” Pastor Mohi added. “So they feel they have to listen to them and obey them. We try to break these barriers as pastors, to try and tell them, ‘We are just humans like you, we are also sinners in need of Jesus’.”
Pastor Mohi also explained how generous the I-Kiribati people are. “I’m very supported by my church,” he said. “They give so much. Every day they bring me a new outfit!” He went on to explain how they are “thirsty for the Word of God”, telling the story of a man who walked 45 minutes each night to hear him preach. “He’s continued coming every night,” Pastor Mohi said. “And he’s not just hearing the message but connecting with other believers—this is also part of evangelism.”
Both Tahitian pastors felt they had connected well with the attendees of their site, as did Minister Tekarimwi Bitaa, the Bikenibeu church pastor and Pastor Mohi’s translator. “They’re from the Pacific, and they know our context here,” said Minister Bitaa. “People are also interested in these two because their English is simple.”
Both pastors acknowledged that while there was a language barrier, they both saw God working through their preaching.
Trans Pacific Union Mission (TPUM) Hope VA coordinator Lia Daucakacaka also connected well with attendees at her site. “One night after I preached, a man came to shake my hand and said, ‘You know what? I don’t understand much English, but when you preach I understand everything you say’.” Mrs Daucakacaka praised God for the moving of the Holy Spirit. “Even though they do not know the language and even though it was translated, I know they have understood what was shared.”
Mrs Daucakacaka made sure to adapt the sermons to the Kiribati context. “I had a play around with my notes and what I was going to share,” she said, “so it actually fits into their understanding and their culture and customs.” She explained that she saw the international speakers exchange as a way to “break cultural barriers” as well as a way to learn from other cultures. “I didn’t come here just to teach these people,” she said. “They have also taught me a lesson.”
Mrs Daucakacaka was very touched by the groups of kids that frequented her site. One night, as she sang a special item for the attendees, several children climbed a nearby tree, waving their phone lights to the music. “It brought tears to my eyes,” said Mrs Daucakacaka. “I said to myself, ‘Oh God, the Holy Spirit is moving around here!’”.
On Abemama, a nearby island that hosts Kauma Adventist High School, TPUM children’s, women and family director Alice Kaisuva conducted Kiribati for Christ as a single week of worship. While attendees were mostly students, some were also from the surrounding community.
Mrs Kaisuva explained how through her teaching, she learned more about the Word of God herself. “When we see what’s happening in this world in light of the great controversy, we appreciate that the Word of God and prophecy is really about Jesus—not about the beasts.”
Around 200 attended the Kauma site nightly, and 43 people were baptised at the end of the week, mostly students and staff.
“You know, God has a plan for Abemama and He has a plan for Kauma,” Mrs Kaisuva said. “God’s children are here.”
“We will keep praying,” said Mrs Daucakacaka. “A seed has been planted here, and the people have learned the truth, even if we don’t see them baptised now, or this year.”
“But that’s what I’ve been telling the people, to keep praying, and that now it’s in their hands to help that seed grow.”
