Root out fear, exercise your faith and take the jab.

This was the message from the President of the country’s largest religious denomination, the Methodist Church in Fiji (MCIF) Reverend Ili Vunisuwai after getting his first AstraZeneca jab today.

Reverend Vunisuwai, led the church executives, their families and former President of the Church Reverend Epineri Vakadewavosa in getting their jabs at the church compound in Pender Street, Suva.

“For me, I regard taking the vaccine as my social obligation for the welfare of the country I call home,” Rev Vunisuwai said.

“We are going through a tough time economically as a nation and as well as our own families. Some have been without a job because of this pandemic and the only way we can move our nation forward is to be vaccinated.

“You must trust that medical professionals are doing the best they can for our benefit.”

He said it was important that Christians should not take biblical passages out of context to spread misinformation among the public.

“Before we say some things theologically, we must know that biblical passages have its context. If you take that and apply it to the current situation and you miss the context, you will only do more harm by misinforming people.”

He urged members of the church to have faith defeat fear as it was the only way forward.

“Let us rally behind our frontliners and do our best to get vaccinated. Take the shot and save our nation.”

President of the Methodist Church in Fiji Reverend Ili Vunisuwai receives his first shot of the AstraZeneca vaccines in Pender Street, Suva on June 11, 2021. Photo: Inoke Rabonu.

MCIF General Secretary Reverend Iliesa Naivalu urged members of the church to be responsible citizens and be vaccinated.

He said with the speculations, videos and misinformation on social media, it was important for everyone to listen to experts.

“We can pray but it is important that we exercise our prayers and be obedient.”

General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Fiji Reverend Iliesa Naivalu receives his first shot of the AstraZeneca vaccines in Pender Street, Suva on June 11, 2021. Photo: Inoke Rabonu.

Former President of the MCIF Reverend Epineri Vakadewavosa said Medical people were the hands and the voice of God in our communities.

“We are encouraging our people from the very beginning that we are behind this and we are supporting the government and the medical team.

“This has gone through various laboratories all over the world and there is no reason or whatsoever to be scared about it, we must be very appreciative of this vaccination for the sake of our communities.”

Former President of the Methodist Church in Fiji Reverend Epineri Vakadewavosa receives his first shot of the AstraZeneca vaccines in Pender Street, Suva on June 11, 2021. Photo: Inoke Rabonu.