The Methodist Church in Fiji held its induction service for the newly-elected President, Vice President, General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary at the Centenary Church in Suva yesterday.

The service was a celebration of the diversity of the Methodist community with special hymns from the Indian, Rotuman and Rabi divisions.

The President, Vice President, General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary Elect will not take up their positions until January 2018 along with other office bearers elected in this week’s conference.

Methodist Church’s general secretary, Reverend Epineri Vakadewavosa was elected during the 2017 Annual Conference as President elect of the Church.

Reverend Vakadewavosa said it was an honor for him to be chosen as the new president.

He admitted that the new role was not easy and it would be a challenge.

He said the role was God’s calling for him.

“We the new-elected leaders will listen and trust His words and believe He is with us all the time,” Reverend Vakadewavosa said.

“God said:  ‘Remember I called you and I will be with you all the time always all the days and until the end of the earth’, these are the words we will carry with us,” he said.

Reverend Vakadewavosa said they were encouraged with those words despite what the 21st century was throwing at them.

“God is available and always present with us. He is the creator,” he said.

“We are encouraged to face the future not only from home but from the wide congregation in Fiji and abroad.

“I am the shepherd of His flock, and I’m ready to take up this responsibility.”

Reverend Vakadewavosa thanked the members who have returned to their different divisions when the conference ended on Friday.

“We were very grateful for their presence today (yesterday) and some will be leaving Suva and I’m sure they were happy to have participated in this very important occasion. They gave us hope and strength as we continue with this ministry.”

He said that Fiji was always the heart of their mission as far as the ministry of the Methodist Church of Fiji was concerned.

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

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