The Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma is looking forward to enhancing its business operations with plans to inaugurate a service station, a shopping complex, and a ten-story building within the next two years.
As part of its business expansion, the church is also considering establishing its own broadcasting company for television and radio over the next five to ten years.
Manasa Vatanitawake, the Secretary of the Communication Department, emphasized that the primary goal of these initiatives is to support the community and the church’s mission.
“We want to make it clear that we are not setting up the business to profit the church,” Mr. Vatanitawake stated. “The aim is to assist the people and to further the mission by spreading the message.”
He mentioned that the service station in Davuilevu and the shopping complex are expected to open by March or April 2025, while the ten-story Lako Yani building is projected for completion in 2026.
These projects are anticipated to generate revenue that will aid the church in its mission to reach out to people through the gospel and address their everyday needs. The church is also exploring ways to provide support amidst rising living costs and stagnant wages.
Furthermore, the Methodist Church in Fiji informed its congregation that the usual levy of $15 will be reduced to $13.50, as the church will utilize its business ventures to cover the $1.50 per person payment.