Reverend Simione Tugi of the Fiji Council of Churches (FCC) is calling for assistance after witnessing a large turnout at the recent crusade held by the Australian gospel band Planetshakers at Churchill Park in Lautoka. The FCC partnered with Planetshakers for this event, which drew thousands of young attendees.
Rev. Tugi expressed his amazement at the significant crowd, noting that many young people from various denominations and ethnic backgrounds attended the three-night event. He reported that thousands dedicated their lives to faith during this time, highlighting the evident desire for spiritual growth among the youth.
“There were young people who chose to leave nightclubs and partying to participate in this crusade. This raises the question: why are we not making a greater impact on these young individuals? I genuinely believe we need help,” he stated.
Rev. Tugi emphasized the need for collaboration among the church, government, and community in response to critical issues plaguing the youth, including drug abuse, HIV, sexual exploitation, and suicide. He believes that evangelistic teams, such as Planetshakers, could play a vital role in addressing these challenges.
Mereoni Tinaitukana from Goulding Developments, who attended the crusade, shared her experience, describing it as overwhelming and emphasizing the powerful message of the gospel. She called for renewed efforts to engage the youth through events like praise festivals and church crusades, allowing them to reconnect with their faith and combat issues like drug addiction.
The next crusade is scheduled to take place at Albert Park in Suva on August 25, starting at 3 PM.