The Reverend Simione Tugi, general secretary of the Fiji Council of Churches, has urged churches to adopt innovative strategies aimed at engaging and energizing the youth. He emphasized the importance of incorporating new concepts into traditional church practices to align with modern worship trends, particularly those appealing to younger audiences.
Mr. Tugi announced a new collaboration with the Planet Shakers, an Australian contemporary worship music group, as part of this initiative. He stated that this partnership is geared towards reaching out to the youth, who he views as the future of the community. “These individuals are our tomorrow, and we must seek assistance from external sources like the Planet Shakers,” he remarked. Mr. Tugi called for a collective effort to focus on today’s young people, expressing gratitude for the partnership with the band, which has extensive experience in connecting with youth globally.
The recent Planet Shakers concert in Lautoka demonstrated significant interest, attracting over 1,000 attendees. This turnout reflects the youth in Fiji’s quest for validation, support, and love, according to Mr. Tugi. He recounted witnessing young attendees moved to tears, expressing their commitment during the event. He noted that many of these young people are vulnerable members of the community, some of whom have turned to illegal activities.
The Council is advocating for a more comprehensive response from local communities, churches, and the government to address the escalating social issues in Fiji. Mr. Tugi highlighted alarming trends such as rising crime rates, violence against women and children, and drug abuse, sharing articles from local media that detail these concerns.
He expressed frustration that current efforts do not seem effective, suggesting that if the existing strategies were working, there would be fewer social issues. “We need to reconsider our priorities, as the numbers continue to rise,” he stated. He also acknowledged that many churches are seeing low attendance because people feel their problems are not adequately addressed.
Mr. Tugi concluded that a shift in focus and message is necessary to engage the community effectively and prevent reaching a point of crisis.