Prayer and cultural diversity were the highlights of the opening of the South Pacific Division’s (SPD) 2026 Annual Council meetings this Wednesday morning. Delegates from across the Division are gathering for the three days of meetings at Sydney Adventist Hospital in Wahroonga (NSW).
The program began with a worship service led by SPD president Pastor Glenn Townend, who shared a message on the event’s theme “Ask for the Nations”, based on Psalm 2:8.
Prayer was a recurring part of his message. During his sermon, Pastor Townend paused to pray for all the countries that make up the SPD territory, mentioning their past and upcoming evangelistic campaigns in the current quinquennium. He concluded by inviting delegates to join a spontaneous group prayer, where leaders from across the Division took turns praying aloud for mission throughout the South Pacific.
The event also celebrated the cultural diversity of the South Pacific. A welcome ceremony featured more than 20 languages, with participants delivering the same greeting in their native tongues.
Led by SPD vice president Pastor Maveni Kaufononga and 10,000 Toes coordinator Pamela Townend, the segment aimed to highlight the Division’s diversity and focus on unity in the Church’s mission.
“Our language is not just for communication. It represents our culture. It represents our identity,” said Pastor Kaufononga, emphasising that despite their differences, delegates were united in their purpose for gathering.
The ceremony also welcomed two guests from the General Conference, vice president Thomas Lemon and undertreasurer Ray Wahlen, who are attending the meetings.
