The Pacific Ocean is the world’s largest ocean—covering 1/3 of the earth’s surface—and is home to hundreds of island nations. Historically, many of these nations in the South Pacific were well known for heathen practices, including witchcraft and cannibalism. Not a few of the early missionaries to these islands sacrificed their lives trying to spread the gospel message. Today, although some of those practices still remain, Christianity has made a large impact on these nations, giving the light and hope of the gospel in place of the darkness of various heathen practices.
The message of reformation touched some countries of the South Pacific in the 1970’s and 80’s but was more firmly established when missionaries from Australia and the General Conference travelled and reached our shores in the late 1990’s.
In December 2013, representatives from the seven mission fields in the countries where the work was established organized together to become the South Pacific Union Mission. Though challenged by vast distances and not rich in this world’s goods, we praise God that the work is spreading across the South Pacific and many souls are being reached by the truth.
Our need of a multi-purpose center for worship, conferences, youth conventions, and for training our youth to be missionaries plus provide an office for our Union has been keenly realized. Land has been acquired in a rural area in easy access from Port Vila in Vanuatu, a nation of roughly 80 islands. Vanuatu is a central location where people from the mission fields of Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Samoa can gather together.
Looking at the great work before us and the many unreached islands and countries in the South Pacific, we see that the work truly is great! The message of salvation must go to all lands, yet we have the assurance that the Lord “shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law” (Isaiah 42:4).
We kindly ask for your financial assistance to help us in our need by giving generously to this project, which will help spread the gospel to the souls in this vast oceanic expanse.
Your brethren in the South Pacific
