Church leaders and members across the Solomon Islands have been equipped with practical skills to nurture and retain new members following the Trans Pacific for Christ evangelistic campaign.
Held from September 4 to 19 across four locations, the training focused on strengthening discipleship, supporting newly baptised members and encouraging their ongoing involvement in church life.
The initiative was organised by the Trans Pacific Union Mission (TPUM) Sabbath school, personal ministries and discipleship departments in partnership with the South Pacific Division (SPD), Solomon Islands Mission and Eastern Highlands Simbu Mission (EHSM) in Papua New Guinea.
SPD Sabbath school, personal ministries and discipleship director Pastor Obed Yamasombi said retaining new members is “one of the greatest challenges facing the church today”.
“As new members join the Church, we must provide opportunities for spiritual growth, fellowship, service and practical Christian living,” he emphasised.
Workshops on Sabbath school, personal ministries and discipleship explored ways to strengthen Sabbath school as a setting for Bible study, fellowship and ongoing support for new members, while encouraging greater participation in personal ministries and community outreach.
Practical life skills sessions led by Pastor Joanis Fezamo from EHSM taught rice and wheat farming, food processing and book mending, aiming to build skills that promote self-reliance and support local ministry.
A further round of member retention, nurturing and life skills training was scheduled to take place across four areas of Vanuatu from October 8 to 24.
