THIS IS OUR STORY - UK FIJIAN SDA HISTORY


A Community of Faith: Bringing Pacific Island Warmth to North England

After two decades of faithfully gathering as a community, the UK Fijian Seventh-day Adventist church embarked on a significant milestone—the journey to formalise our congregation by becoming a registered church. This decision represented not merely an administrative step, but a profound commitment to establishing a lasting spiritual home for our growing community. In September 2022, after months of prayerful preparation and dedicated effort, our vibrant congregation officially joined the Seventh-day Adventist North England Conference, marking a historic moment in our collective story.

The UK Fijian SDA Church represents far more than just another place of worship—it embodies a remarkable journey of faith, service, and cultural heritage that bridges two hemispheres. Our congregation stands as a living testament to the enduring bonds of fellowship that transcend geographical boundaries, uniting families who have carried their Pacific Island traditions and deep-rooted Christian faith across thousands of miles. We are a community built on shared values, cherished memories of our island homeland, and an unwavering commitment to worship, service, and spiritual growth in our adopted home.

This formalisation of our church not only honours the faithful dedication of those who gathered informally for twenty years, but also lays a strong foundation for future generations to continue this legacy of faith and community.

From the Pacific to the Peaks: A Story of Service

The story of the UK Fijian SDA church is inseparable from a unique chapter in British military history. In the early 2000s, many of us Pacific Islanders, particularly from Fiji, answered the call to serve in the British Army. We traveled thousands of miles from our island homes, bringing with us not only our commitment to military service but also our deep-rooted faith and rich cultural traditions.

What began as our individual journeys of service, gradually became a collective story of community. As we Pacific Islander families settled in the UK, we sought to maintain the spiritual connections that had sustained us back home - our Seventh-day Adventist faith became an anchor point in our new British lives.

Finding a Home at Elston Village Hall

Recently, our congregation reached another significant milestone by establishing regular face-to-face (first Sabbath of every month) worship services at Elston Village Hall. This development marks a new chapter for our church, providing a consistent physical space where we can gather, worship, and fellowship together.

The transition to a dedicated meeting place represents more than logistical convenience. For a community that has experienced the displacement of military service and international migration, having a regular place to worship carries a profound meaning. At Elston Village Hall, the sounds of Pacific Island harmonies now blend with traditional SDA hymns, and the warmth of island hospitality meets English countryside charm.

A Mission Rooted in Love

What truly distinguishes the UK Fijian SDA Church is our passionate commitment to demonstrating God's love in practical, tangible ways (showcased in our Pacific hospitallity). The congregation takes seriously the Great Commission found in Matthew 28, where Jesus commanded his followers to "go and make disciples of all nations."

For the UK Fijian SDA Church, the Great Commission is not merely a theological concept but a lived reality. Having ourselves experienced the challenges of building new lives in a foreign land, we possess a unique empathy for others facing similar transitions. Our mission extends beyond our own community, to reach out to neighbors, fellow service members, and anyone in need of spiritual connection and practical support.

The Pacific Islander tradition of communal living and mutual support—concepts embodied in the Fijian principles of "kerekere" (asking and sharing) and "solesolevaki" (working together)—naturally complements the Christian call to love one's neighbor. This cultural heritage enriches and compliments our approach to ministry and outreach.

Looking Forward

As our UK Fijian SDA Church continues to grow and develop at Elston Village Hall, we carry forward a legacy of faith forged through service and sacrifice. Our journey from the Pacific Islands to British military service, and now to establishing a thriving faith community, testifies to the resilience of the human spirit and the unifying power of shared belief.

In a world often divided by borders and differences, our congregation stands as a reminder that faith transcends geography, that community can be rebuilt across oceans, and that the call to love and serve others knows no boundaries. The UK Fijian SDA Church may have been officially registered in 2022, but our story—and our mission—is still being written, one act of love and service at a time.

Sa Malo!!