South Seas Evangelical Church (SSEC) is a church built on faith and prayer.
That’s according to the head of the church Reverend Bishop Mathias Lima.
He was speaking at the church’s 50th golden jubilee celebrations at Ambu near Auki, Malaita, yesterday.
“Our church was built on faith, prayer, sacrifice, passion, simplicity, and originality,” Lima told about 4,000 members attending the occasion.
“We gather here today for two things.
“First and foremost is to commemorate the very day this day where our church gained its name South Seas Evangelical Church from its initial name SSEM.
“Secondly, we are here to remember our courageous leaders who faithfully, shed their blood and some who have shouldered the leadership role when it was given to us Solomon Islanders to handle our own church.
“The change of leadership where Arnon Atomea became the first president,” he said.
“If we could trace down our history, it is clear that our church was built on these principles by the courageous and brave pioneer missionaries who have gone before us.
“Those martyr of our church that shed their blood for the sake of the gospel, and our sake”.
Children of Kwaibala Sunday School also put on a flag dancing performance as part of the day’s activities, followed by a presentation of the church’s history by Rev. Gordon Griffiths.
Yesterday’s event was the highlight of the celebrations.
History recorded that in 1907, the name Queensland Kanak Mission brought in by Miss Florence Young changed to South Seas Evangelical mission (SSEM).
Its headquarters was established at One Pusu, west Are’are, two years before that.
On 8th March 1964, Australian Evangelist George brought the church to Ambu community near Auki, Malaita. His messages impacted upon Malaitans, especially those at Ambu.
The South Seas Evangelical Church was established in 1964 under its current name, and became independent from the mission in 1975.
By CHARLEY PIRINGI
in Auki
