Reverend Simione Tugi has expressed a need for help following the successful Planetshakers crusade, which drew thousands of young attendees last weekend at Churchill Park in Lautoka. The Fiji Council of Churches (FCC), in partnership with the Australian gospel group, organized the event.
Rev. Tugi noted that it was his first experience witnessing such a large gathering of youth at a spiritual event. He shared that many of these young individuals, representing various denominations and ethnic backgrounds, committed their lives to God during the three-night crusade. He remarked on the impact, stating, “Thousands of them gave their lives to the Lord,” and expressed his deep appreciation for their spiritual hunger.
He highlighted the concerning trend that some young people had chosen to leave behind nightlife and partying to attend the crusade, raising the question of why the church is not making a significant impact on the youth. Rev. Tugi called for collaboration between the church, government, and community to address pressing issues such as drug addiction, HIV, sexual abuse, and suicide that affect young people today.
Mereoni Tinaitukana, a participant from Goulding Developments in Nadi, described her experience at the crusade as overwhelmingly powerful, emphasizing the strength of the message delivered. She urged for a revival of past community events, such as festivals of praise and church crusades, to help the younger generation reconnect with God and combat drug addiction.
The next Planetshakers crusade is scheduled to take place at Albert Park in Suva on Sunday, August 25, at 3 PM.