The Assistant General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, Reverend Anil Reuben, is optimistic about what he describes as a revival within the church. As one of the longest-serving ministers, he expressed his views on this revitalization.
Reverend Reuben emphasized the inclusion of church leaders in important decision-making processes, stating, “The president of the church includes us in his decision-making. The church is reviving.” He highlighted the importance of restoring the church’s image, noting an increase in attendance, particularly among children, during his preaching engagements.
This year’s conference theme is “Restoring the Lost Image of Christ within the Methodist Church in Fiji.” Reverend Reuben also pointed out that a significant number of incarcerated individuals identify as Methodists, underlining the church’s commitment to addressing this issue. “We are lacking in areas such as prisons and hospitals. We must ensure that we continue to reach out to these places,” he stressed.
Church President Reverend Semisi Turagavou acknowledged the challenges the church faces in serving as a prophetic voice and spiritual guide for the nation. “We should rise and move to another level. Restoring or achieving the lost image of Christ is the vision, and I suggest that we accept it collectively, as this is the church’s mission for the year 2024-2025. We need to recapture what we have lost,” he stated.
He urged the church community to think creatively about their mission, saying, “This is our time. We need to think outside the box. The time is always right to do what is right. God is forming and reforming His church, and He’s calling us to partner with Him and elevate the church to another level.”