Church leaders and members gathered for the South Pacific for Christ closing ceremony on Saturday evening, with a clear message from the final program—this is just the beginning.
The launch program, held at Watson Park Convention Centre in Brisbane, Australia, from April 28 to May 2, brought together around 1000 attendees from across the South Pacific Division (SPD).
Following a full schedule of morning worships, plenaries, workshops, evening programs and prayer groups, the final session provided a time of reflection for those in attendance.
SPD chief financial officer Francois Keet said, “It’s not always easy to get a CFO excited about something. I’m excited and I just want to invest more. This meeting is only a taste of what is to come. This isn’t South Pacific for Christ—South Pacific for Christ is about to start.
“This is probably the most exciting thing that our Division has ever embarked on.”
Participants were invited to share their takeaways from the program.
“I know that God is going to work in a mighty way,” said a participant from Tasmania. “I just pray through the Holy Spirit that we do become bold because there is an urgency with what we need to be doing and South Pacific for Christ is going to be just amazing.”
Another attendee from Kiribati reflected on the unity experienced during the week. “We are many colours but we are one big Adventist family,” he said. “That’s a blessing that I can see here.”
For many, the practical focus of the event stood out. “We had so much practical advice on what to do when we go home . . . it was not just to inform us but actually prepare us for the work when we come back,” a Victorian attendee shared.
A participant from North New South Wales said the program had been a blessing: “It’s been evident that the Holy Spirit has led, has inspired, has spoken through every speaker.”
General Conference president Pastor Erton Köhler delivered the final address, calling attendees to remain focused and united in mission.
“Please, keep your focus on the mission,” he said. “If you’d like to see Jesus coming in the clouds of heaven, preach the gospel, don’t be distracted.”
He emphasised the importance of collective commitment and local engagement. “If we are together—that spirit of integration—miracles can start to happen.”
Quoting 2 Chronicles 15:7, he encouraged members to remain steadfast: “for your work shall be rewarded”.
“Please let us leave this place . . . moving forward, believing that what we are discussing and planning here will not be in vain, but the Lord will bless us, not because of us but because of His mission, and because Jesus is ready to come to this world and He would like to have a lot of people from the South Pacific Division to be ready to be in heaven.”
SPD president Pastor Glenn Townend closed the program with a call to action and expressing optimism in what lies ahead.
“May the flame that has been lit here burn brighter in every one of our hearts and that as one spark goes to another, we will see a wildfire across our churches and communities so that everyone will know the love of Jesus,” Pastor Townend said.
“Thank you for participating in this launch, but this is only the beginning. May God bless us as we go to transform the Pacific for Christ. I have just one question: Are you in?”
The response from the audience was a resounding “Yes”.
The ceremony concluded with church leaders collecting their torches and country representatives gathering their flags. With Pastor Townend leading the procession, they made their way out of the main tent to the music “Jesus is coming again”.
To watch the closing ceremony and evening worship programs, visit the South Pacific for Christ YouTube channel.
