The President of the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma, Reverend Semisi Turagavou, is urging church ministers and deaconesses to set an example by quitting smoking and controlling their kava consumption. His call for personal reform is framed as essential for the church’s growth and mission fulfillment. “All church ministers and deaconesses, no one else should be smoking. Get away from it. Manage your kava consumption; some are becoming slaves to kava drinking,” he emphasized.

Reverend Turagavou believes that such changes are crucial if the church, currently with 186,865 members, aims to reach a membership of 190,000 by the end of the year and eventually 200,000. “The church is supposed to grow. If the Holy Spirit is moving, the church should be growing as well,” he stated, expressing hope for renewed vitality within the church community.

As part of the church’s 2025 vision, which coincides with its 190th anniversary, there is a plan to ensure that no family of church members is overlooked. “We want to visit all families of church members this year,” Turagavou said.

Ecological justice and collaboration with other Christian denominations will be the guiding principles for the church in 2025. The Reverend also praised the Government for appointing Mosese Bulitavu as Minister for Environment and Climate Change, expressing hopes for close collaboration with him on environmental matters.

Additionally, he highlighted the need for greater unity among Christian groups to extend their outreach efforts to those outside the church, particularly regarding societal issues like crime and drug abuse. He encouraged church members to actively engage in evangelism and to embrace daily scripture readings and a prayerful life as part of their spiritual journey.

In light of the challenges facing the church, Reverend Turagavou’s message calls for leadership accountability and a shift towards merit-based appointments, echoing previous concerns expressed during the recent Methodist Church Conference regarding declining membership and poor perceptions of church leadership. He firmly believes that improving the church’s image and outreach can rekindle growth and better serve their communities.

This collaborative and reformative approach offers hope for enhancing the church’s influence and reinforcing its role in the community, making it a beacon of support and spiritual guidance for its members and beyond.