Church members across the South Pacific united for 48 hours of continuous prayer from September 4 to 6, marking the regional launch of OneVoice27.
The online prayer vigil brought together churches, institutions and individuals from across the South Pacific Division (SPD), with participants praying, sharing testimonies, singing and reflecting on mission. Thousands joined across the weekend via Zoom and Facebook.
SPD president Pastor Glenn Townend described the launch as a “spiritual and cultural success”.
“Through the prayer vigil we prayed, dreamed, shared stories, sang and listened to what God has put on our hearts in the different places throughout the Pacific—it was beautiful,” he said.
Pastor Townend said he participated for a few hours each day and was impressed by the diversity of contributions. Highlights included prayers for the Holy Spirit from South West Papua, prayers for the 10/40 Window led by an elder in Tonga, a song about Jesus and OneVoice27 created by a young man in Papua New Guinea, and stories of transformation from chaplains.
“There were so many highlights,” Pastor Townend said. “Keep praying for all our people in the South Pacific—that we are all mobilised to share Jesus through word, song [and] lifestyle . . . whatever means we can.
“This is just the beginning of our one mission for our one God being proclaimed with one voice.”
OneVoice27 SPD coordinator Pastor Pablo Lillo welcomed the strong response from across the region.
“I have been deeply encouraged by the overwhelming response from churches, institutions and leaders across the Pacific,” Pastor Lillo said. “God has truly blessed His Church.
“Throughout the prayer vigil, I witnessed the Holy Spirit moving powerfully as we prayed for our churches and institutions, people of all generations and communities across the Pacific. We also prayed that God would raise up a new generation of digital missionaries who will faithfully proclaim the everlasting gospel.”
French Polynesia Mission secretary Pastor Jeff Marirai-Parker said participating in the vigil reinforced the sense of connection between territories across the Pacific.
“It was powerful to realise that, across our vast Pacific, our territories were united around the same Jesus, the same mission and the same desire to see the Holy Spirit mobilise His Church,” he said.
For French Polynesia, the launch was about more than preparing for an event in 2027, according to Pastor Marirai-Parker.
“It is a call to mobilisation now,” he said. “Our desire is to see our pastors, departments, local churches, young people, families and every member understand that they have a place in God’s mission and a testimony to share.”
Orette Elyse-Collen, from Mile End Community Church in Sydney, said she joined the vigil several times over the weekend and was struck by the unity of prayer across the region.
“I could feel the presence and power of the Holy Spirit at work in every heart and in every country where God’s people are hearing God’s call to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
The 48-hour vigil marked the beginning of the South Pacific’s involvement in OneVoice27, a global Seventh-day Adventist initiative focused on mobilising church members to share Jesus in the lead-up to and throughout 2027.
“2027 will be a year that Jesus is lifted up in the South Pacific and around the world,” Pastor Townend said.
For more information on OneVoice27 in the South Pacific visit this website.
