Fijian Seventh-day Adventists from across Australia gathered at Dubbo Christian School (NSW) from October 2 to 4 for “Lotuvata 2026”.
The event brought together around 780 people for a weekend of spiritual renewal, unity, fellowship and community service.
Participants represented more than 20 churches and groups and travelled from across Australia, including Alice Springs and Western Australia. Among those attending were 10–12 pastors and representatives from the South New South Wales Conference (SNSW).
The theme, “If My People,” based on 2 Chronicles 7:14, challenged participants to seek God through humility, prayer and repentance, while demonstrating their faith through practical service.
SNSW Conference president Pastor Justin Lawman, the keynote speaker, encouraged attendees to pursue spiritual renewal and allow their relationship with Christ to transform their communities.
Reflecting on the weekend, Pastor Lawman said, “The Fijian people have made the church in Australia so much richer, more spiritual and, I think, more committed. I just love to see events like this where they can gather and really reach out to the community through practical service.”
Throughout Sabbath, children, youth, women and men came together in worship, music, prayer and fellowship.
On Sunday, the group gathered for “Love Your Town Dubbo — Here to Serve”, an Adventist Community Services initiative focused on meeting practical needs within the local community.
Volunteers gathered at Dubbo Christian School before dispersing into East Dubbo, particularly around Apollo House and surrounding neighbourhoods, undertaking yard maintenance, lawn mowing, neighbourhood clean-ups and other practical service projects.
During the community service, Aunty Michelle, an Aboriginal community member, expressed her appreciation, saying, “Thank you all so much, we’ve never had this before in our community, we’re blown way that you’d come from across Australia and think to come and help us . . . we’re so grateful!”
Following the morning’s outreach, volunteers returned to Dubbo Christian School for a shared barbecue lunch and fellowship.
Another highlight was a fellowship concert, which brought the community together in support of Enmore Fijian Seventh-day Adventist Church, regarded as the mother church of the Fijian Adventist community. More than $A30,000 was raised towards much-needed church repairs, with fundraising efforts also supporting the Adventist Community Services department through the sale of merchandise such as t-shirts.
The success of Lotuvata 2026 was made possible through the dedication of the Sydney-based organising committee, led by committee president Peni Kalidredre, providing leadership, planning and coordination of the event. Fijian Adventist members from churches across the SNSW Conference also played a significant role, contributing their time, resources and talents to prepare meals, cook, serve and care for the hundreds who attended.
“What blessed me most was seeing our SNSW Fijian church families come together, sacrificing their time, resources and energy to serve others,” said Dubbo Adventist Church pastor Paul Namakadre.
“It reminded me that unity isn’t just about worshipping together; it’s about loving one another through practical service. And on Sunday, we had the privilege of extending that same love to the wider Dubbo community.”
