Reverend Simione Tugi has expressed the need for assistance following a successful crusade conducted by the Australian gospel band Planetshakers, which drew thousands of young attendees last weekend at Churchill Park in Lautoka. As the general secretary of the Fiji Council of Churches (FCC), Rev. Tugi highlighted the significance of the event, noting it was the first time he had seen such a large gathering of young people at a crusade.
He stated, “Thousands of them gave their lives to the Lord. These young people came from various denominations and ethnic backgrounds. It truly touches my heart to witness their longing for God.” He also noted that some attendees opted to leave nightclubs and parties to participate in the three-night event.
Rev. Tugi posed a critical question: “Why are we not making an impact on these young people?” He emphasized the need for collaboration among the church, the government, and the community to tackle pressing issues such as drug abuse, HIV, sexual violence, and suicide affecting today’s youth. He believes that evangelistic missions like Planetshakers are essential in addressing these challenges.
Mereoni Tinaitukana, representing Goulding Developments in Nadi, attended the crusade and described her experience as overwhelming, highlighting the strength of the messages delivered. “I feel in my heart that as young citizens of Fiji, we need to revive past initiatives like praise festivals and church crusades in our towns to help our generation reconnect with God and break the cycle of drug addiction,” Tinaitukana added.
The Planetshakers will continue their mission with a crusade scheduled at Albert Park in Suva on August 25, starting at 3 PM.