SOLOMON Islands Mission (SIM) of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church has formally ordained seven new pastors to serve the mission of the church.
Following their ordination, they are now referred as ‘Pastor’ and not ministers.
The ordination ceremony was held on Thursday night at the Maranatha Hall in East Honiara and was officiated and witnessed by the Trans Pacific Union (TPU) President Pr Maveni Kaufononga.
He was also accompanied by the newly appointed TPU General Secretary Ms Jane Gibson-Opetaia.
The dedication prayer was officiated by Pr Maveni with the commissioning of the newly ordained church workers, their spouses and families.
The new ordained pastors are; Jason Gulea (Central Sub), Nelson Anga (Northern Sub), Gibbon Alick (Northen Sub), Dixon Poa (Western Sub), Maebule Tome (Western Sub), Nyumhen Nagaha (Western Sub) and Charles Tobire (Western Sub).
The ceremony was witnessed by members of the church in Honiara, family members, relatives and officials of the church.
In his welcome remarks, Pr Maveni welcomed them into their new leadership role.
He also thanked them for their commitment in serving the church over the past years.
He said, they have an important role to play in the mission field to support the work of the church within the Trans Pacific Union Mission
On behalf of the Solomon Islands Mission (SIM) SDA Church President Pr Silent Tovosia, he also congratulated them on their new appointments.
He encouraged them to continue serve the church with faithfulness, dedication and commitment.
He said, as new pastors they have a very important role to play in the work of the church nurturing the Adventist members where they are serving.
Pr Silent also read out the Charge which outlined the roles and duties that they must upheld.
Some of them served for the past seven or eight years.
Pr Jason Gulea on behalf of the newly ordained pastors thanked the church for recognizing them and to be given the opportunity to be ordained as pastors.
He said, the ceremony marked an important part of their journey to serve the Lord and the church.
He also thanked their families and church members for their ongoing support over the past years.
Pr Jason added, the new responsibility will not be easy and therefore it’s important for the members to continue render them support.
Following the ceremony, the newly ordained pastors have received overwhelming congratulatory message from members of the church around the country and abroad.
The ordination ceremony which was streamed-live online was held on week day to allow the TPU officials to be part of it as Pr Maveni was invited to attend the Fulton graduation ceremony which was held over the weekend at Sabeto, Nadi.
By MOFFAT MAMU
