Fiji Mission (FM) has welcomed 804 souls into the Seventh-day Adventist Church through baptisms between January and the last week of July, including 37 Fijians of Indian descent.

The theme for this year, “I Will Go To My Neighbour,” had every local church and member embark on a mission, focusing on reaching out with the Gospel to the Indian communities.

According to Pastor Uraia Seru, FM Personal Ministries director, 145 people were baptized in the first quarter of 2023, 179 in the second quarter, and 480 by the end of July.

“Evangelism [programs] are still being carried out in parts of Fiji, and we are expecting these numbers to change positively,” said Pastor Seru. “Everyone is involved; even officers at the Mission and TPUM [Trans Pacific Union Mission] are preaching at selected centers in rural and urban areas.”

Pastor Nasoni Lutunaliwa, FM president, said the evangelism programs were conducted with dedication, fueled by the spiritual energy that radiated from the transformed hearts of those they had already touched.

“Within the Indian communities, we are breaking through, and hearts are stirred. Souls awakened as they found comfort in the arms of Jesus and the Gospel,” said Pastor Lutunaliwa. “Their decisions to follow Christ were not mere words but true commitments to become disciples and follow biblical truths.”

Pastor Lutunaliwa added that the interest and passion for mission within Indian communities has grown, and iTaukei churches are now heavily involved and conducting visitations, health programs, and evangelism programs for Indians around Fiji.

FM is “setting the platform this year and will have to ensure this becomes a trend in years to come,” Lutunaliwa said.

As evangelistic efforts continue across Fiji, more baptisms are expected in the coming weeks and months.

The original version of this story was posted on the South Pacific Division website, Adventist Record.