Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) South Pacific and Church leaders from across the South Pacific discussed how local Adventist churches can become more involved in community development at a regional gathering in Fiji.
More than 40 leaders met in Sonaisali, September 15–17, for the ADRA South Pacific Regional Kibung—a Tok Pisin term for a meeting or gathering. Participants included ADRA directors, board chairs, and Church leaders, with representatives from all seven ADRA countries in the region. Paulo Lopes, ADRA International president, and Thierry Can Bignoot, ADRA International vice-president, also attended.
Themed “Kacivi: Called to Serve, Equipped for Mission,” the gathering took its name from the Fijian word kacivi, meaning “invitation.”
“Kacivi reminds us that we are called to serve, but we also need to be equipped for the mission God has given us,” said Matthew Siliga, regional director of ADRA South Pacific.
One of the initiatives workshopped during the gathering was Mission Ready, a program that has been under development for almost 12 months and is designed to equip Adventist churches across the South Pacific to engage with their local communities through practical community development.
ADRA will support the church-led program, with initiatives adapted to individual countries and community contexts. During the gathering, delegates explored what those initiatives could look like in their respective countries.
“The Church has an incredible opportunity to be more deeply involved in serving its communities,” said Siliga. “Our strength comes from bringing together local leadership, cultural knowledge, and the collective experience of the ADRA network. When ADRA and local churches work together, we can create pathways for people to experience the love of God in practical ways.”
Governance, stewardship, and organizational effectiveness were key areas of discussion. Terry Johnson, South Pacific Division Ministry/Strategy and Youth director and ADRA Australia board member, led a session exploring board responsibilities and how good governance leads to effective operations.
The gathering also celebrated the diversity of the South Pacific, with leaders from different cultural and organizational contexts sharing experiences and approaches from their respective countries.
A panel moderated by Siliga brought together Darren Yorio, ADRA Papua New Guinea director; Iliapi Tuwai, ADRA Fiji director; and Tony Fautua, ADRA New Zealand chief executive officer, to discuss accountability, leadership, and operations in their regions.
“Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths,” said Siliga. “When we listen to one another and learn from different contexts, we become better equipped to understand communities and respond to their needs.”
Speaking to the delegates, Lopes encouraged all to view ADRA’s humanitarian work as part of the Church’s broader mission of service.
“Our calling is responding to God’s invitation to participate in His work,” he said. “It’s His work. It’s not ours.”
The original article was published on the South Pacific Division news site.
