Hundreds of church members converged at the Centenary Church in Suva for the service celebrating the newly elected Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma president and general secretary yesterday. 

In attendence were the nation’s President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

The outgoing Methodist Church president, Reverend Ili Vunisuwai, challenged the two leaders to break down the barriers of discrimination against colour, religion or race and work towards unity and reconciliation of everyone. 

The Methodist Church president-elect, Reverend Dr Semisi Turagavou, recalled moments of growing up in his family’s humble abode on the island of Tavea in the district of Lekutu in Bua Province.

“My Nau (grandmother) Adi Paulini Boela would always wake up in the middle of the night to pray for us,” Reverend Turagavou said.

“She would always first use her asthmatic pump and after that she would pray for us, all of us that would be lying on the living room.

“In her prayer she would never forget to also pray for Reverend Sitiveni Ratuvili and former Methodist Church president late Reverend Manasa Lasaro who were also church ministers from my village in Tavea.

“I thank God that he has called another son of my small island home to become the president of the Methodist Church.” 

He acknowledged the vanua of Caumatalevu and Cakaunitabua who had a hand in his upbringing. 

“I thank God for his calling upon my life and I trust that he will always lead while I follow. I thank God for using another son of Caumatalevu and Cakaunitabua to lead us through.” 

Reverend Turagavou and general secretary-elect Reverend Dr Jolami Lasawa will assume their posts in January 2024. 

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