The president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific has returned from a visit to Kiribati, one of the most isolated Adventist communities in the world. The visit marks the first time a South Pacific church president has visited this remote group of islands, which straddle the equator halfway between Hawaii and Australia.

“We value the people of Kiribati,” said president Laurie Evans. “I want them to know they’re an important part of a growing, worldwide church.” 

During his 13-day visit, Evans met ministers of the church and presented a series of devotionals to staff and students at Kauma Adventist High School on Abemama. He also presented a series of evangelistic meetings on Tarawa.

The president of the church in Kiribati, John Horvath, says Evans’ visit has given members a new perspective of the denomination. “The isolation and lack of growth means many had a small view of the church. They now see they belong to a worldwide family.”

After Evans arrived in Kiribati the government closed the airstrip to large planes in order to make urgently needed repairs. This meant the president had to leave on a smaller plane for Honolulu via the Marshall Islands. He departed on Thursday morning and arrived in Sydney on Sunday morning. “They tell me I am the first president from the church in the South Pacific to visit Kiribati,” said Evans. “I now understand why.”

Evans stresses the value the Adventist Church puts on the people of Kiribati. “They’re not a forgotten island group despite living in an isolated part of our division. Our church has a lot to offer—in education and health, for example—but we also have a lot to learn about their culture.”

The Adventist Church sent its first missionary, John Howse, to the then Gilbert Islands in 1947. Now, more than 1200 Adventists worship in 10 churches and 11 companies. More than 340 students study at Kauma.