Christians in Lami marked Palm Sunday with an unusual and striking display of youth leadership as Sunday school members at the Methodist Church of Fiji led the entire service, delivering sermons and prayers that put children at the centre of worship. Dressed in white and participating fully in the programme, children as young as three took active roles throughout the service under this year’s theme, “Jesus is the hope in our life.”
More than ten Sunday school members each presented their own short sermons at the Lami Methodist Church, offering a range of reflections aimed squarely at their peers. The young speakers addressed pressing social concerns they see around them, including what they described as a rise in drug use and criminal activity among youth. Rather than focusing solely on ritual, their messages urged fellow children and teenagers to choose positive pathways and engage in meaningful activities that shape their futures.
Central to the children’s addresses were calls for trust in God, firm belief, and loyalty to Christian values. Several speakers emphasised that faith and a close relationship with Jesus Christ could provide guidance and resilience amidst temptations and peer pressure. The congregation observed as the young presenters moved through scripture, personal reflections and practical advice, framing spiritual faith as both a personal anchor and a community resource.
The decision to entrust the service to Sunday school members marked a clear emphasis by the Lami congregation on youth voice and moral education. Children’s active participation — from leading prayers to delivering unique sermons — underscored an intentional effort to nurture leadership and public-speaking skills alongside religious instruction. The sight of very young children fully engaged in worship highlighted the church’s focus on intergenerational involvement in spiritual life.
While Palm Sunday traditionally commemorates Jesus Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, this year’s observance at the Lami Methodist Church foregrounded how that message of hope resonates with Fiji’s youngest Christians. By centring the theme “Jesus is the hope in our life” on the experiences and concerns of children and adolescents, the service aimed to connect faith teachings directly to contemporary challenges facing youth in the community.
The Lami service is likely to be remembered both for its symbolic return to children’s roles in the church and for the substance of what the young speakers chose to address. Their public acknowledgment of social issues and the emphasis on faith-based solutions may shape upcoming Sunday school programmes and broader church efforts to engage young people in moral guidance and community-building activities.
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