The general secretary of the Fiji Council of Churches, Reverend Simione Tugi, has urged churches to adopt and implement innovative strategies to engage young people. He highlighted a new collaboration with the Australian contemporary worship music band, Planet Shakers, as part of this initiative aimed at appealing to a younger demographic.
Tugi emphasized the importance of adapting traditional church practices to align with modern worship trends that resonate with youth. He stated, “These individuals are our future, and we require assistance from outside, like the Planet Shakers.” He expressed hope that by working together, they could focus on today’s youth.
Tugi noted that a recent Planet Shakers concert in Lautoka attracted over 1000 attendees, indicating that young people in Fiji are in search of validation and support. He remarked on the profound impact of the event, saying, “I’ve never witnessed such a large crowd standing for three hours, many openly weeping and dedicating their lives.”
He pointed out that many of these youths are vulnerable and some are involved in illegal activities. The council is calling for a serious commitment from local communities, churches, and the government to tackle rising social issues in Fiji. Tugi referred to alarming reports on increasing crime rates and violence against women and children.
He expressed concern that current efforts are ineffective, stating, “The numbers are increasing, which indicates that something is not working.” He criticized the lack of a cohesive strategy from the government, churches, and the community to address these problems effectively.
Tugi urged stakeholders to revisit their priorities, warning that the situation could soon reach a crisis point that would be difficult to reverse. He also lamented that many churches are empty, attributing this to a failure to address the real issues faced by congregants. He concluded by questioning, “Why are the churches empty? It’s because we are not preaching the right message.”