Sunrise Baptism Welcomes Hundreds in Solomon Islands Capital

It was still dark when hundreds of Seventh-day Adventist members and their local church elders and pastors walked down a path to the riverbanks of Lunga River in Honiara, Solomon Islands, for a special baptismal ceremony. The July 18 celebration capped two weeks of evangelistic meetings across several islands in that archipelago nation in the South Pacific.

In the capital city of Honiara, the ceremony gathered candidates and members from three church districts in Honiara. Other concurrent ceremonies took place in churches of other regions in Solomon Islands and in the ocean.

Hearts Full of Joy

The July 18 celebration started before sunrise and went on for a couple of hours, as 20 pastors from Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and beyond welcomed hundreds of new members through baptism. Local church members and people of all ages, including children, followed the ceremony under the nearby trees and by the river, before walking or driving to the Maranatha Hall, where a special worship service took place later in the morning.

“Our hearts are full of joy as we witness what God has done,” one of the lay participants stated. “This is a spiritual feast, and we know there’s an even bigger celebration in heaven.”

Among the leaders attending the July 18 ceremony in Honiara was Mike Sikuri, executive secretary of the South Pacific Division (SPD), who read the baptismal vows. “Today is an exciting day,” Sikuri said. “We’ve been praying and been looking forward to this day.” After the vows, Charlie Jimmy, president of the Trans-Pacific Union Mission, which includes the Solomon Islands, prayed for the candidates.

About Solomon Islands for Christ

Solomon Islands for Christ saw hundreds of venues across the nation as local pastors and guest speakers urged people to go to the Bible for answers about God’s plan for them and the world. About 150 pastors traveled from Papua New Guinea to support the initiative as guest speakers, and a group known as Sydney Adventist Women spent time in the country to help lead interests to make a decision for Christ. The joy was palpable as old and new acquaintances hugged and prayed together before being led into the waters.

Besides the evangelistic emphasis, free health screenings, healthy cooking demonstrations, visits to isolated villages and a prison, and Vacation Bible Schools for children were part of a wholistic ministry that sought to be “the hands and feet of Jesus” in many of the communities across the nation. The Health Ministries departments of the Greater Sydney Conference and the SPD were actively involved in the initiative.

At the same time, an important part of the outreach activities on the main island of Guadalcanal were led by Amazing Facts Oceania, a supporting ministry of the Adventist Church. The ministry deployed young and seasoned evangelists who not only preached every evening but also organized activities for children. Medical teams also offered free health screenings and various health-care services, including free prescription glasses to those in need. Many of those volunteers also attended the baptismal ceremony in Honiara.

A Testimony to All

According to local church leaders, among the candidates were several who have been away from God and during the evangelistic meetings decided to surrender their hearts once more. “It is one more reason to celebrate and rejoice,” they exclaimed.

The early-morning baptismal ceremony also became a public testimony of biblical baptism as dozens of people living near the river gathered outside their houses to follow the proceedings. Loudspeakers allowed everyone to listen to the prayers and the music as pastors submerged the candidates and welcomed them into the faith.

In a statement to Adventist Record, Sikuri highlighted the “increased involvement” of Adventist members in evangelism. “I am witnessing our people being mobilized for mission,” he said. “[Let’s trust] God to do even greater things in the days ahead.”