Lasting peace cannot be achieved through violence, “but by sitting down together to resolve differences,” said Seventh-day Adventist Church world president, Pastor Jan Paulsen, on a pastoral visit to the troubled South Pacific nation of the Solomon Islands.  The Biblical imperative of living in peace with everyone was a prominent theme during Paulsen’s three-day visit, starting February 18, as he met with church leaders and government officials and addressed public meetings.

“God expects us to be good citizens,” Paulsen told more than 6,000 Adventists and other Christians who gathered in a public park in the capital, Honiara, on the evening of February 18.

“What we believe and understand must shape our lives,” Paulsen said. “It is the intent of Christ to make you and me better people in the society in which we live.” 

Paulsen referred to acts of violence as “not an option for a Christian,” saying that “no one has the right to destroy the life of another human being. Our children have a right to live a life of fulfillment.” Paulsen urged all Christians to ask themselves whether they are “a contributor to peace in society.”

Speaking on a live radio broadcast throughout the island provinces on February 18, Paulsen said that, for Christians, there is no way to live “except at peace with our neighbors.”

During his arrival at the Honiara airport,  Paulsen received a traditional warrior welcome and was reminded that the nation of Solomon Islands is still trying to resolve violent conflict between the two predominant ethnic groups from the Guadalcanal and Malaita islands.

“This country is a trouble spot and these are trying times for us,” said the Honorable Manasseh Songavare, the country’s prime minister. “We look forward to your visit and the contribution you and your church can make to end the social unrest.”

Paulsen’s three-day visit to the Solomon Islands is the second stop in a two-week pastoral visit to the South Pacific region, which will include Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and French Polynesia.

The nation of the Solomon Islands is predominantly Christian, 11 percent of whom are Adventists. The Adventist Church’s presence in the Solomon Islands dates back to the beginning of the 1900s and the missionary work there became a launching pad for establishing missions in the region. Today, the church has an adult membership of more than 9,000 on Guadalcanal and 7,000 on Malaita. The Adventist Church membership in the Solomon Islands is more than 35,000, representing a ratio of 1:14 of the population.

The Adventist Church also operates a major national high school at Betikama, located on Guadalcanal near Honiara, and Atoifi Hospital, on the island of Malaita. Some of the country’s prominent and influential politicians and legislators are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

For photos that accompany this report, go to www.adventist.org.