With the Solomon Islands for Christ campaign now in its second week, Sydney presenters have been reflecting on the lessons God has been teaching them—from the quiet way people engage with the nightly meetings to the faithful commitment of local church members.
Twenty presenters and volunteers from Sydney gathered at Kukum Adventist Church in Honiara yesterday to talk about their experiences and encourage one another.
Several of the presenters served during PNG for Christ in 2024 and noted a significant difference in the way people respond to the nightly meetings. Rather than gathering close to the stage as many did in Papua New Guinea, people in the Solomon Islands often choose to remain in the shadows—listening from beneath trees, across the road or from nearby homes.
Despite this different way of engaging, there has been an encouraging response. Attendees have made commitments for baptism, requested Bible studies and are seeking prayer. A combined baptismal service is being planned for this Sabbath (July 18).
During the day, the volunteers support the local churches by running children’s programs, conducting cooking demonstrations and health checks, leading Bible studies and visiting people in their homes before presenting the nightly “Mysteries Revealed” meetings.
For Penrith Adventist Church member and foster carer Temalesi Savou, the experience has strengthened her confidence in God’s leading.
“God pre-prepared me for coming. It wasn’t part of my plan,” she said. “I’m so excited to be here. It motivates me.”
She recalled her family’s concerns about her health. “My husband and my children said, ‘Look, you are a sickly lady,’ because normally when I travel, I travel with my husband. Coming here, he said, ‘No-one is going with you.’ I said, ‘God is going to travel with me.'”
Despite living with asthma, she said she had experienced God’s sustaining power throughout the journey. She is conducting meetings at a mountain site with fellow presenter, Greater Sydney Conference women’s ministries director Meleofa Fifita‑Tovo. It requires climbing 144 steps to reach the site each evening.
“Climbing up those steps . . . I was amazed. It was like God was carrying me up those steps.”
Mrs Savou also reflected on arriving at their meeting site during the first few nights of the campaign.
“On our first night it was all dark travelling up that trek,” she said. “Two days ago, we could see the light—all the lights were on. Looking back, I know there is a reason God placed us there—to be the light.”
The Sydney team said they had been inspired by the humility, dedication and prayerful spirit of the local Adventists. Stories were shared of local church members stepping away from their work—even forgoing income—to support the campaign, while some households have connected meeting sites to their own power supply at their own expense.
For Andrew Spaile, who served during PNG for Christ, one of the greatest encouragements has been witnessing the faith of the local church members.
“It has been good to be part of a team,” he said. “You can see how they’ve stepped out in faith to do what they are doing. It’s a wonderful experience to be a part of.”
Abigail Figueroa, pastor of Fox Valley Adventist Church, said she was inspired by the discipleship that has been taking place long before the campaign began.
“That’s been the real blessing—to see the discipleship that is already going on,” she said.
“Evangelism is not this campaign. Evangelism is ongoing with people who are zealous for God and want to share Him. So it’s been a privilege to be a part of that.”
After joining the Adventist Church last year, registered nurse Joan Tutor felt called to serve. She has been presenting the health talks at her campaign site.
“I feel more than blessed being here,” she said. “Whenever I see [the attendees] smiling … I feel like I get the energy from them to share what I know.”
Although the campaign has not been without its challenges—including power outages, water supply issues and illness—the presenters said they have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of local church members and the growing interest from surrounding communities.
Pastor Alban Matohiti, president of the Greater Sydney Conference, said he believed God had brought the team together for a purpose.
“I think God’s timing has been there for us to be here and be part of this journey,” he said.
Looking ahead, he said the experience is already shaping how evangelism might look back home.
“Going forward, this is an exciting part of what we would want Sydney for Christ to look like in 2028,” he said. “God has sent us here for a purpose, and I’m sure He has the same purpose and plan for His church in Sydney.”
