Reverend Simione Tugi has called for support following a successful crusade led by the Australian gospel band Planetshakers, which attracted thousands of young people to Churchill Park in Lautoka last weekend. As the general secretary of the Fiji Council of Churches (FCC), Rev. Tugi expressed his amazement at the large turnout, noting it was the first time he had seen such a crowd at a crusade.
He reported that during the event, numerous young attendees from various denominations and ethnic backgrounds committed their lives to God, highlighting their evident spiritual hunger. Some even chose to abandon nightlife to participate in the three-night event. Rev. Tugi questioned why more impact is not being made on young people and emphasized the need for assistance from evangelistic groups like Planetshakers to address pressing issues such as drug abuse, HIV, sexual violence, and suicide among the youth.
Attendee Mereoni Tinaitukana, from Goulding Developments in Nadi, found the experience overwhelming and highlighted the powerful message shared during the crusade. She advocated for a revival of community events like praise festivals and church crusades to help younger generations grow closer to God and combat drug addiction in Fiji.
The next crusade is scheduled to be held at Albert Park in Suva on August 25, starting at 3 PM.