𝗙𝗜𝗙𝗧𝗬 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗚𝗢𝗗’𝗦 𝗙𝗔𝗜𝗧𝗛𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦: 𝗧𝗘𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗔 𝗖𝗛𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦 𝗜𝗧𝗦 𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗜𝗧𝗦 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡

The second day of the 50th anniversary celebration of Tebara Seventh-day Adventist Church brought together church members, pioneers, traditional landowners and invited guests on 11 October 2026 to reflect on five decades of God’s faithfulness and the growth of the Adventist Church in the Nausori area.

The celebration included a traditional Fijian welcome, with members of the Tebara District and Nausori Church presenting the Vakasobu and I-Qalovi ceremonies to Fiji Mission President Pr. Epeli Saukuru and invited guests, honouring their presence at this historic occasion.

Addressing the congregation, Pr. Saukuru delivered a message titled “A Milestone of God’s Faithfulness,” highlighting three important lessons for the Church as it celebrates its past and prepares for the future.

Drawing from 1 Samuel 7:12, he encouraged members to remember where God had brought them from, acknowledging His guidance through the sacrifices and faithful service of previous generations.

His second message, based on John 15:4–5, reminded the congregation to keep Christ at the centre of the Church, emphasising that lasting spiritual growth and fruitful ministry depend on maintaining a close relationship with Jesus.
Reflecting on Psalm 145:4, Pr. Saukuru challenged members to move forward in mission and prepare the next generation, ensuring that the faith and commitment of today’s Church are passed on to those who will continue the work.

A significant moment during the celebration came when Mr. Inia Kevetibau, representing the Mataqali of Nakuita, shared the history of how their ancestors gave land to the Church with the vision of establishing a spiritual lighthouse in the Tebara District.

His reflection highlighted the generosity and foresight of the traditional landowners, whose contribution helped provide a place where the Gospel could be proclaimed and generations could gather in worship.

𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝟱𝟬 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 (𝟭𝟵𝟳𝟲–𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲)The anniversary also recognised the pastors who have served the Church throughout its 50-year history. According to the anniversary records, the following 23 pastoral entries represent those who have contributed to the spiritual leadership and development of the Church since 1976.
1. PR ISIKELI TIKOICINA — 1976-1977
2. PR JOPE NARISIA — 1977-1981
3. PR FATIAKI TUE — 1981-1983
4. PR SAIRUSI SUGUMAI — 1983-1985
5. PR MITIELI NAKASAMAI — 1985-1988
6. PR ILIMO TULEVU — 1988-1990
7. PR ILISONI LALAKOBAU — 1990-1993
8. PR MOSESE VAQEWA/ISEI D — 1993-1995
9. PR MAFOA K/ISEI D/O’CONNOR — 1995-1997
10. PR KAMELI/ASAELI/SUNIA — 1997-1998
11. PR SEU/ASAELI/FERRAL — 1998-1999
12. PR APOLOSI/TALEMO — 1999-2002
13. PR ORISI LUTU/TALEMO — 2002-2004
14. PR MIKE FARRELL — 2004-2008
15. PR PITA TOKALAU — 2008-2011
16. PR NASONI LUTUNALIWA — 2011-2012
17. PR KAVENI RAUKU/PR JESE — 2012-2014
18. PR MAIKELI NAKASAMAI — 2015-2018
19. PR WILLIE EGEEGESIA — 2016-2018
20. PR TEVITA WAQALEVU — 2018- 2020
21. PR BRIAN CHAND — 2020- 2022
22. PR JOAPE NAROBA — 2022-2024
23. PR PAULA TOROCA — 2024- PRESENT
The anniversary provided an opportunity to acknowledge these pastors and their families for their years of service, spiritual leadership and commitment to the Gospel.
Another memorable occasion was the participation of the late Pr. Isikeli Tikoicina’s wife, representing the family of the first pastor to serve at Nausori Seventh-day Adventist Church. She joined Radini Qaselevu Mrs. Loata Saukuru for the unveiling of the plaque, marking the Church’s 50th anniversary and recognising God’s providence throughout its history.
The celebration also provided an opportunity for members to share personal testimonies and stories of how God had called them, their parents and grandparents into His mission of making disciples.
These reflections brought to life the history of Tebara Church, reminding those gathered that its legacy is not measured only by buildings or years, but by the people who have faithfully carried the Gospel from one generation to another.
As the Church celebrates 50 years, the message remains clear: remember God’s faithfulness, remain connected to Christ and continue preparing the next generation to carry the mission forward.
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡. 𝗚𝗢𝗗 𝗛𝗔𝗦 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘. 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗.