Rain and wind did not deter Pr Ted Wilson and his wife Nancy when they drove into the new Fulton College Campus in Sabeto Nadi yesterday afternoon (Sunday, February 6). On hand to receive them were Mr Jim Saukuru, the Project Manager and 30 church members from the Navutu (Lautoka) Seventh-day Adventist church branch sabbath school.
The 1 hour visit to the new Fulton College campus featured gospel music by the Navutu branch young people, the planting of trees, a tour of the site under development and refreshments. Our world church leader was also presented with a framed Fulton Campus development profile.
Speaking on camera for a soon to be released Fulton promotional DVD, Pr Wilson said that "a strong foundation for education was a true knowledge of God". He reminded those gathered that in the future - "this will be a place that will train an army of Youth". Turning to the young people present he said that "whether you are a current Fulton student or planning to be one in the future, then i urge you to carry the spirit of Fulton College from the current location in Tailevu to this new one in Nadi".
In blessing the campus, development plans, construction workers and church leaders - Pr Ted Wilson quoted from Joel 2:21 and encouraged everyone to "Fear not....Fear not Fulton, for the Lord will do great things on this construction site".
The Fulton College ( Sabeto campus) visit was the last official engagement for the GC President and his wife during their visit to our Mission. They departed for Los Angeles last night
You are encouraged to share and forward all NewsFiji snippets from your communication team at the Fiji Mission Office to all your friends and colleagues. The February 19 RECORD will carry a special report on Pr Ted Wilson's visit to the Fiji Mission. Do not miss it.
GOD Bless,
J Talemaitoga
Director - Communication department
Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fiji
www.adventist.org.fj
Inter-Generational Worship for GC President
SAY - to say 'Bula' to Seventh-day Adventist Church World Leader
The Suvavou Adventist Youth ("SAY"), will sing "shine on" for the General Conference President and his wife at the conclusion of the Fijian traditional ceremonies of welcome on Friday morning February 4. This song was composed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the Adventist Message to the islands of Fiji.
The Suvavou Seventh-day Adventist Church is located at the Fiji Mission Headquarters in Lami. It's location is in recognition of the fact that the same pioneering spirit that spurred the hearts of John I Tay and others to bring the 3 Angels messages to our nation - propelled the people of Suvavou to accept the truth, and take the leading role in spreading the gospel message in Fiji and to other Pacific Islands.
Now over 100 years later - a new generation of Youth and church members from Suvavou will welcome Pastor Ted Wilson and his wife Nancy to their home - which they proudly share with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fiji.
The Fiji Mission Head office, Hope Studios, ADRA Offices and the Adventist Book Centre are all located at Suvavou. The Suva Adventist Primary School with over 400 students is also located on the same campus.
The traditional ceremonies of welcome for the GC President will commence at 8:30am on February 4 at Suvavou.School children will line the roadway leading into the Mission compound before they sing about staying connected with God.
Warriors carrying clubs will be on hand to guard the President and his party. Our women will be preparing and serving refreshments. The men will be involved with the actual ceremonies.Hundreds of church members, both young and old are expected to be part of the experience.
Pastor Ted Wilson is expected to challenge our church members in Fiji to open their lives to a new experience of revival and reformation.
You , your family and friends are invited to join us at Suvavou, worship with us at Tamavua (Friday night vespers) and at the National Stadium on Sabbath February 5.
We trust that through the special messages from God's anointed, your attention will be drawn towards God's desire to renew His people.
J Talemaitoga
Director - Communication Department
Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fiji
(M) 924-6000
www.adventist.org.fj
The Suvavou Adventist Youth ("SAY"), will sing "shine on" for the General Conference President and his wife at the conclusion of the Fijian traditional ceremonies of welcome on Friday morning February 4. This song was composed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the Adventist Message to the islands of Fiji.
The Suvavou Seventh-day Adventist Church is located at the Fiji Mission Headquarters in Lami. It's location is in recognition of the fact that the same pioneering spirit that spurred the hearts of John I Tay and others to bring the 3 Angels messages to our nation - propelled the people of Suvavou to accept the truth, and take the leading role in spreading the gospel message in Fiji and to other Pacific Islands.
Now over 100 years later - a new generation of Youth and church members from Suvavou will welcome Pastor Ted Wilson and his wife Nancy to their home - which they proudly share with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fiji.
The Fiji Mission Head office, Hope Studios, ADRA Offices and the Adventist Book Centre are all located at Suvavou. The Suva Adventist Primary School with over 400 students is also located on the same campus.
The traditional ceremonies of welcome for the GC President will commence at 8:30am on February 4 at Suvavou.School children will line the roadway leading into the Mission compound before they sing about staying connected with God.
Warriors carrying clubs will be on hand to guard the President and his party. Our women will be preparing and serving refreshments. The men will be involved with the actual ceremonies.Hundreds of church members, both young and old are expected to be part of the experience.
Pastor Ted Wilson is expected to challenge our church members in Fiji to open their lives to a new experience of revival and reformation.
You , your family and friends are invited to join us at Suvavou, worship with us at Tamavua (Friday night vespers) and at the National Stadium on Sabbath February 5.
We trust that through the special messages from God's anointed, your attention will be drawn towards God's desire to renew His people.
J Talemaitoga
Director - Communication Department
Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fiji
(M) 924-6000
www.adventist.org.fj
GC President Visits
Not everyone gets the opportunity to go to a General Conference Session. You may never have the world leader of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to preach at your local church.
It is a privilege therefore to welcome Pr Ted Wilson and his wife Nancy to our shores next month. Come and worship with us at the TFL National Stadium on February 5. It will be inspirational. You will leave blessed.
As part of their tour of the South Pacific Division, the GC President will be in Fiji from February 3 to 6. Pr and Mrs Wilson will be met at Nadi International Airport on Thursday February 3 by our church leaders. They will visit the new Fulton location at Sabeto, the Fulton College campus in Tailevu, John I Tay's grave, and meet with Government leaders and the local media. On Sabbath February 5, he will be the Divine Service speaker, will speak to the Youth during AY's and will give the final challenge at closing Sabbath.
They depart Fiji for Los Angeles on Sunday night, February 6.
Plan and Pray now to be part of this historic visit. Your Communication Team will keep you updated.
See you all at Laucala Bay on February 5
J Talemaitoga
Director - Communication Department
Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fiji.
www.adventist.org.fj
Sale and Purchase Agreement Signed
Adventists secure property in Suva for University Church
A permanent home for the the Pacific Tertiary Evangelistic Centre (PTEC) - Seventh-day Adventist Church is in sight. On New Years eve, Sale and Purchase and Transfer documents for the 25 Grantham Road property were signed in Suva. Located just 200 meters from the main entrance of the University of the South Pacific's (USP) Laucala Bay Campus and adjacent to Laucala Bay's Sports City, the property is well positioned to be the premier center of worship, nurture and witness for Seventh-day Adventist young people from all across the Pacific region who come to study or work in Suva.
From its early humble beginnings - regional and local students at the USP, Fiji School of Medicine (FSM) and Fiji Institute of Technology (FIT) and other tertiary institutions would gather in a lecture theater on Sabbath for worship services. With no permanent home it became a very nomadic church - moving from lecture rooms to rented halls throughout the years. By last year, over 150 people meet every Sabbath during the academic year in a rented hall on Knolly's street.
With the bulk of funding sourced from the World Church's 13th Sabbath offering overflow - the F$457,000 property has a five bedroom house on site and is the first property to be bought by the recently set up Seventh-day Adventist Church Property Holding Company Limited.
After many detours and frustrating years - God in His wisdom led the PTEC Church Building Committee to this site. What a great way to start the New Year knowing that God is big enough for all of us. With engineers, architects, outline proposals and building plans to work with and through - the church in Fiji is confident that a landmark centre of worship and evangelism will rise in this Suva surburb if for nothing else but for His Honour and Glory.
Church Solicitor Subash Parshotam & Fiji Mission General Secretary Pastor Wame Sausau finalizing the legal aspects of the purchase.
AY's with Spiritual Mix
Twelve members of the Spiritual Mix Singing Group challenged the PTEC family about the importance of using their talents which God has blessed them with in contributing to the gospel commission.
Over and over the members in the group reiterated how God has blessed them abundantly, individually and as a group and how they have not only experienced these blessings but have also written songs to record these experiences in their lives. Some of the songs were shared with the congregation and these included, "Step out in Faith","Destination Paradise", and "Two ways to Travel".
Spiritual Mix has been around for fifteen years and the testimonies shared particularly by those members who have pioneered the group, were strong reiterations of the blessings one would experience when we depend on the Greatness of the God we serve.
PTEC is grateful to Brother Apimeleki Ratulevu, his wife Varanisese and their children, Samuela, Laisa and Eroni Ratulevu who have shared their home and their lives in this ministry.
Yesterday the church witnessed the emotional moment when a father affirmed his daughter who was called on to assist the group because a couple of members were not able to make it. Laisa, a fourth form student at Gospel High School, who has grown up listening the the group practise at her home was able to step into a soprano position although she sings alto. In referring to this scene, Jesel Navakalomana, pointed to the grace which our Father in heaven has for us His children when we could also contribute to His mission and how GRACE more abundant is available to us one and all.
2010 fast nears its end
At PTEC's services on the 13th November members present were challenged by the messages shared through stories, testimonies, special music and congregational singing.
Mrs Salanieta Ratulevu, wife of one of the previous Fiji Mission President's the late Swamuela Ratulevu shared her testimony about how in the late 1950's many young Seventh Day Adventist Fijians went out as missionaries to regional Pacific islands. She explained how she and her late husband after one year of marriage were called to teach at Aore Adventist School in Santo, New Hebrides now Vanuatu.
Looking back today, she shared some homourous examples of their initial misinterpretations of Bislama Pidgin and how they had to learn it in order to be effective in their roles. Her memories of Vanuatu and the people during their time there were generally positive She remembered USP Tutor, Barry Ilaisa who was in the congregation as a little child during her days as a missionary. She gave birth to a baby girl but unfortunately they lost that daughter which led to her not wanting to return to Vanuatu after their furlough in Fiji.After some persuasion, they returned and God blessed them with another daughter. The Ratulevu's then went on to have a son and another daughter.
Mrs Ratulevu is still connected to mission and is an active member of the Fiji SDA Retired Workers Association. She ended her testimony by challenging the PTEC congregation on their roles for mission and responsibility to participate in the great commission of Matthew 28.
Nominating Committee @ Work
I hope the following thoughts make sense as our members get approached for church positions in 2011: Saying Yes!
Sometimes in congregational life, the correct answer is “yes!”
When an idea pops up with energy and passion behind it, the answer is “yes!”
When the room starts to buzz with excitement, the answer is “yes!”
When people are clearly feeling joyful, the answer is “yes!”
When it feels like a breakthrough–even if it comes with tears or a surprising release of tension–the answer is “yes!”
When it involves singing or laughing loudly–the answer is “yes!”
When someone notices that we are taking ourselves awfully seriously and maybe we should have some fun–the answer is “yes!”
When someone new says, “Is there something I can do to help?” The answer is “yes!”
When your skills match up with a job that needs doing, the answer is “yes!”
When someone proposes something risky, but its brilliance takes your breath away, the answer is “yes!”
When someone suggests a way to say “thank you” or show appreciation, the answer is “yes!”
When you can give in a way that makes a difference, the answer is “yes!”
When there is a way to be more welcoming and accepting, the answer is “yes!”
When there is a chance to stand up for human rights, especially the rights of someone with less resources, the answer is “yes!”
When an opportunity arises to share why you are Unitarian Universalist, the answer is “yes!”
When a chance to learn and grow comes along, the answer is “yes!”
Whenever there is a chance to deepen a healthy relationship, the answer is “yes!”
Sometimes in congregational life, the correct answer is “yes!”
When an idea pops up with energy and passion behind it, the answer is “yes!”
When the room starts to buzz with excitement, the answer is “yes!”
When people are clearly feeling joyful, the answer is “yes!”
When it feels like a breakthrough–even if it comes with tears or a surprising release of tension–the answer is “yes!”
When it involves singing or laughing loudly–the answer is “yes!”
When someone notices that we are taking ourselves awfully seriously and maybe we should have some fun–the answer is “yes!”
When someone new says, “Is there something I can do to help?” The answer is “yes!”
When your skills match up with a job that needs doing, the answer is “yes!”
When someone proposes something risky, but its brilliance takes your breath away, the answer is “yes!”
When someone suggests a way to say “thank you” or show appreciation, the answer is “yes!”
When you can give in a way that makes a difference, the answer is “yes!”
When there is a way to be more welcoming and accepting, the answer is “yes!”
When there is a chance to stand up for human rights, especially the rights of someone with less resources, the answer is “yes!”
When an opportunity arises to share why you are Unitarian Universalist, the answer is “yes!”
When a chance to learn and grow comes along, the answer is “yes!”
Whenever there is a chance to deepen a healthy relationship, the answer is “yes!”
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