All I can say is “Thank God”!

May 27

South Pacific Division president Pastor Glenn Townend reflects on the South Pacific for Christ launch.

With soaring fuel and flight prices, and Pacific people having difficulties getting visas for Australia, South Pacific Division leadership wondered if the launch for our bold strategic plan to impact the South Pacific for Christ would happen. More than a year of prayer and planning to host up to 1200 people from all the unions and institutions within the South Pacific at Watson Park, Queensland, from April 28-May 2, was looking as if it was going to be a much smaller event. The launch prayer team and others asked God to intervene and more than 1000 participated in the launch. 

God’s blessings did not stop there. General Conference (GC) president Pastor Erton Köhler delivered simple, powerful messages on Jesus and mission. The GC Adventist Global Mission team presented amazing mission stories and ways to connect with Muslims, secular communities, Hindus, Buddhists and the huge populations in cities. Special times of prayer and reflection, worship and historical videos connected participants with God and each other.

The SPD team worked tirelessly with camp staff to ensure great practical workshops, good food and sleeping bags for warmth. There was a buzz around the grounds the whole week.

Attendees experienced cultural diversity but as they talked and fellowshipped a spiritual unity grew. We experienced the joy of the Holy Spirit and the unity of mission—we were committed to sharing the last day message of Jesus before He returns. We will do mission in different ways in different contexts but we are united to support each other in the mission of God—to save as many people as possible!

Since then, I’ve had dozens of messages, expressing joy, unity and a hunger for God to do great things among us. I’ve even had people who were not able to attend tell me they heard good things: they like the bold vision and unity in mission. 

All I can say is “Thank God!” We asked Him to be present and do what He wanted to do among us and believe that is what happened. However, we want more. When the Holy Spirit was present in meetings in the book of Acts, great mission to new people groups followed. That is the miracle we are still praying and working for.

“Only ask, and I will give the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession” (Psalm 2:8 NLT). Please keep asking with me!