District Assembly and Ordination 2019

Once a year, all the Nazarene Churches in our country get together to celebrate what God is doing. This year we had delegates from nine churches on two islands, Efate and Tanna. We were disappointed that the Ikaokao Nazarene Church was not able to make the journey this year from Aniwa Island. The celebration started on Sunday evening, November 10th with Pastor John Nato sharing a tremendous drama showing what it was like for him to bring the light of Christ to the village of Inapoas on Tanna Island.  

We began to get acquainted with Pastor John Nato when he was just a small boy at the Black Sand Nazarene Church in 2007. David had the joy as his pastor to dedicate him to the Lord when he was 12 years old. The church was right in his front yard, so it wasn't hard for him to attend Sunday School and Bible studies. 

Six years later, David issued John his first local preacher's license. Three years after that, he graduated from South Pacific Nazarene Theological College with a Certificate in Ministry. We are glad for John's commitment to serve God and the fruit that is being produced in him and through him. 

Pastor John with Jimmy, a special member of this church with a chronic sore.
John is learning how to be nurse as well as a pastor.

In April of this year, he took a ship to Tanna to share the light of Christ. The village of Inapoas is a "kastom" village where the people have chosen to remain separated from the influences of education and Christianity. We had visited this village 9 years ago. Within 7 months, Pastor John had built relationships within the community, baptized 7 new believers, built a church, and received 15 people into the fellowship of the Nazarene Church. He was also able to teach a course for South Pacific Nazarene Theological College. 

Inapoas Nazarene Church

We were excited that this year, he was ordained an elder in the Nazarene Church with 10 of his church members to witness his commitment to serve God and the Church throughout his lifetime.

God met with us during that ordination and many people came forward when Dr. Eugenio Duarte, the Asia Pacific General Superintendent, invited anyone who would like to make a deeper commitment to Christ to come forward for prayer. We give praise to God for the way he is unleashing his power and love in his church and in his people through his Spirit!

Our pastors and district leaders

The delegates wore name cards for the first time.

(L) Rev. Dr. Eugenio Duarte's first visit to Vanuatu.
(R) Rev. Kafoa Muaror, the Melanesia South Pacific field strategy coordinator and his wife, Aggie.