Two church leaders reject pastor’s claims
Pastor’s sermon that children born out of wedlock are not from God receives condemnation from social media users and renowned Fijian clergymen.
Sunday 29 June 2025 | 04:00
Reverend Manasa Kolivuso and Fiji Evangelical Fellowship general secretary and national executive administrator Reverend Simione Tugi.
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Two Fiji church leaders have distanced themselves from a pastor whose sermon during an evangalising crusade in Ba last week, had been trending on the Facebook social media platform.
Pastor Jo Lauvanua of the New Way International Fellowship, Ba, during the crusade at Sasa Village, Ba, last week, preached that children born out of wedlock were not from God.
The comment has since then been trending online with criticisms against Pastor Lauvanua.
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Fiji Evangelical Fellowship General Secretary and National Executive Administrator Reverend Simione Tugi, and Christian Mission Fellowship Senior Pastor Reverend Manasa Kolivuso, condemned Pastor Lauvanua.
Reverend Tugi claimed Pastor Lauvanua’s message as “worrying and inconsistent with Christian teachings”.
“It is unbelievable that a preacher would say such things. God has a plan for every child, and to suggest otherwise is misinterpreting Scripture.”
Reverend Kolivuso echoed the comment.
“The Bible teaches that all children are gifts from God,” he said.
“If God says children are gifts, who are we to say they are not? Children, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, are innocent and loved by God.”
The two leaders also condemned Pastor Lauvanua for saying, “children born to couples not legally married are the fruit of illicit relationships and not divine gifts.”
‘The Scripture, including Psalms 127:3, declares, ‘Children are a gift from God; the fruit of the womb is a reward.” This passage makes no distinction between children born in wedlock or out of it. God does not place conditions on His gifts,” Reverend Kolivuso said.
“Every child is a gift from God, regardless of the circumstances of their birth.”
Reverend Kolivuso cited King Solomon, who was born from an adulterous relationship between King David and Bathsheba.
“Despite the circumstances of his birth, King Solomon was considered a great gift from God, chosen to lead Israel and build the temple. King Solomon’s story proves that God can use anyone, regardless of their background, for His purposes,” Reverend Kolivuso said.
Reverend Kolivuso said while the church encouraged marriage before childbirth, it did not discriminate children born outside of wedlock.
“We must accept all children, for they are all innocent in the eyes of God,” he said.
Reverend Tugi, meanwhile, urged preachers to be more careful with their interpretations of Scripture.
“The context of the Bible must be respected, and preachers need to study the word thoroughly before teaching it.
“Misleading interpretations can cause harm, especially when broadcast to a wide audience,” Reverend Tugi said.
This masthead reached out to the New Way International Fellowship Board and Pastor Lauvanua, but no response was received when this edition went to press.
Fiji Evangelical Fellowship
The Fiji Evangelical Fellowship is a Protestant organisation affiliated with the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA).
The ecumenical body for Fiji is the Fiji Council of Churches, while the Pacific Conference of Churches is the ecumenical regional body.
Feedback: mereleki.nai@fijisun.com.fjGeneral Secretary and National Executive Administrator Reverend Simione Tugi, and Christian Mission Fellowship Senior Pastor Reverend Manasa Kolivuso,
