People from all walks of life gathered at Imanueli Methodist Church in Nawanawa yesterday to pay their last respect to Former President of the Methodist Church, Reverend Manasa Lasaro.

According to the Church’s social affairs secretary tribute, Reverend Eliesa Naivalu described Reverend Lasaro as a ‘true servant leader’.

Reverend Lasaro in the late 1980s overthrew Reverend Josateki Koroi who was President of the Methodist Church then.

Originally from Lekutu in Bua, he was one of the youngest General Secretary and President of the Methodist Church at age of 46 and 49 respectively.

Reverend Naivalu said those who didn’t know him labelled him as radical, firebrand or racist.

“But for the thousands that who knew and lived closed to him over the years, he was an epitome of a true servant leader who served tirelessly for the good of all people.

“His focus was always on the salvation of the souls and that church members live a Christ centred life both in words and deeds, much of his time was spent in caring for the downtrodden and outcasts,” he said.