Health Program Draws Evangelistic Response in the Solomon Islands

By: Tracey Bridcutt, Adventist Record

Almost 200 people have requested Bible studies following a health evangelistic program held in Aenalaema village, on the outskirts of Honiara, Solomon Islands, in May 2018.

The local residents have also begun to build a wellness center in the village. It will be usedfor health clinics, Bible studies, andtraining in the Discovery Bible Reading method.

South Pacific Division health director Chester Kuma ran the health program with doctors and nurses from nearby Naha Adventist church. They conducted daily health assessments — in five days, almost 1,000 people received a check-up. In the evenings, Kuma gave health talks on the secrets to living longer, lifestyle diseases and the dangers of alcohol, cigarette smoking, marijuana, and betel nut.

“It reallyopened their minds, andthey were so happy that they received this information,” Kuma said. “The crowd grew every night. Then towards the end of the seriesthere was an appeal made, andwe had almost 200 people come forward requesting Bible studies.”

A number ofNaha church members will be relocating to Aenalaema village to connect with the community and start up a church plant.

“I said to Naha church, ‘Don’t bring these people down to your church, don’t take them out of their area, because if you do, you will lose them,’” Kuma said. “’Instead,’ I said, ‘go to them, work with them and once they have decided to accept Jesus they will become missionaries to their ownpeople.’”

There was previously no Seventh-day Adventist presence in the village, which has around 5,000 residents.

“It’s becoming very clear that using the health approach, going into communities that have long been resistant to the Adventist faith, is opening doors likewe have never seen,” Kuma said. “People are responding. You are just sharing basic health information, andpeople are making decisions to accept Jesus into their lives.”

Kuma explained that the key is getting church members involved. “The big thing now is getting the local churches to move out of their comfort zones and be involved in planting new churches. That is the way the good news about Jesus will spread,” he said.