Reverend Lal Mohammed is making waves on social media, with his impactful sermon gaining traction even on the notorious ChatFiji forum. His message resonates not only with the Methodist Church but across various Christian denominations.
During his sermon, Reverend Lal employed three iTaukei dialects—Lauan, Nadroga, and Bauan—alongside English. This meeting took place on Friday at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.
In an interview, Reverend Lal explained that he learned the iTaukei language growing up in Lau, where the Lauan dialect was predominant due to the limited Indian presence. After moving to Nadroga, he adapted to the Nadroga dialect and eventually learned Bauan. His upbringing in Nakalavo village, where his father served as a lay preacher, facilitated his fluency in the language. He shared that despite his Muslim-sounding surname, his family never practiced Islam; they have always been Methodists.
When asked about the preparation of his sermon, Reverend Lal stated that he based it on the conference theme, drawing relevant Bible verses. He aimed to address contemporary issues that people often overlook, emphasizing the need for spiritual enlightenment. He feels a sense of responsibility to reignite the faith of believers and restore the image of Christ within the Methodist Church, which is the largest denomination in Fiji.
As for his aspirations, Reverend Lal expressed a lifelong desire to become a reverend. His enthusiasm grew while working on farms and in garment factories, where he often accompanied his father on preaching duties, igniting his passion for serving others. There came a pivotal moment when he felt called to minister to his Indo-Fijian community, despite initially facing language barriers. The Holy Spirit guided him in learning Hindi.
Reverend Lal has served in multiple locations, including Sigatoka, Navua, Nadi Circuit, Labasa, Rakiraki, and Dilkusha Indian Circuit, before settling in the Dudley Circuit.
Regarding his personal life, he shared that his wife was Hindu at the time of their marriage. However, after being touched by God, she converted to Christianity. Together they have a daughter and a son.