May 27, 2016

36 Accept Christ in First Fiji Baptisms Since Deadly Cyclone Winston

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By Marika Valetini and Vania Chew, South Pacific Adventist Record

Thirty-six people have accepted Jesus Christ following an
evangelistic series on Fiji, marking the first Seventh-day Adventist baptisms since
a deadly storm devastated the South Pacific nation in February.

The baptisms took place in Fiji’s Ra Province, one of the worst-hit
areas from Cyclone Winston, described as the strongest tropical cyclone to make
landfall in Fiji in recorded history. The storm killed 44 people and caused $1.2
billion in damage, a record amount for the South Pacific Basin.

Despite the devastation and a lack of funds, district pastor
Marika Valetini and his church members chose to view this as an opportunity to
reach out to the community.

“Church members joined hands for a week of prayer and
visitation,” Valetini said.

After that, Valetini began the three-week “Last Empire” evangelistic series, preaching to a crowd of 70 to 80 people each evening.

“To our surprise, the Lord called in 36 more members to the waters of baptism,” Valetini said.

Eleven married couples were among those baptized.

“The Lord is really working through lives today,” Valetini said.