The President and Founder of Christian Mission Fellowship International, Reverend Suliasi Kurulo and your good wife Mere.
Dr. Fred Creighton and your good wife Fran
Members of the Board of CMFI
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen.

Ni sa Bula Vinaka, Namaskar, Noa’ia e Mauri and a very Good Morning.

Ladies and Gentlemen, at the outset, please allow me to acknowledge with humble gratitude and appreciation your very kind invitation that my wife and I attend today’s celebrations and officiate as we commemorate the official opening of the Christian Mission Fellowship International (CFMI) Harvest Plaza.

The Official Opening ceremony of the Harvest Plaza this morning is a joyous and momentous occasion which will undoubtedly be registered in the annals of the Church history as a milestone achievement for the Christian Mission Fellowship International (CFMI). It is indeed a historical occasion for the Church as it brings to fruition the Church’s Vision and ability to provide a wide range of services closer to the people of Khalsa Road, Kinoya and the greater Nasinu area.

The opening of this Harvest Plaza complex reflects the commitment of CMFI as not just to spiritual ministry, but also as an Institution committed to the development of Fiji and her people socially and economically. About 20 years ago, this part of the Kings Road was bare and desolate. From a humble beginning since acquiring ownership of this block of land in 1994, the CMFI has transformed the landscape and brought hope and improvements to the lives of many people in this very fast developing and populated suburb of Suva through the many and varied services it is now providing.


These includes spiritual mentoring and guidance through the work of the Church, the provision of education services, social services, health and medical services and humanitarian assistance to many residents of this section of the Nasinu- Nausori corridor.

I am told that the CMFI Primary School which started here with a small Early Childhood Education Centre has continued to grow until it was re-located along the Khalsa Road when it had to be extended to include a Secondary School. This new learning institution presently has a combined school roll of about 787 students. I believe it prudent that we should understand and accept the positive contribution this school will have on this community and on Fiji as a whole. Generations of young people in this area will be educated in a wholesome and caring manner and friendly environment.

Interestingly, following the National Census in 2007, there was the rather odd situation that Nasinu Town, with a very fast growing community of approximately 76,064 persons, had a larger population than Suva City with 74,481 persons and a much larger population than Lautoka City with 43,473 persons. The Nasinu township is continuing to experience a rapid population growth of close to 2 percent per year. It is now the largest and rapidly growing urban area in Fiji.

The CMFI is strategically positioned within this area, and is driving quality growth. When a responsible institution like the CMFI undertakes an honest and determined commitment to do ultimate good to a community by extending its services, the resultant outcome would be the emergence of a conglomerate of business enterprises which would further boost employment opportunities, productivity and prosperity. Such a desired outcome not only delivers services directly and efficiently to the people, but more importantly, it inevitably raises their sense of belonging and ownership of the institution

Similarly, it not only delivers services directly and develops the community, it also raises the standards of living, and at the same time inculcates a sense of pride and achievement for the community. It raises people’s expectations of themselves and their surroundings. It inspires everyone to rise to the challenge of “helping and loving one’s neighbour”, thus enhancing their individual and collective endeavours to better their lot and that of the community in general.

CMFI is also working closely with Government through the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation and the National Disaster Management Office of the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development.

The opening of this complex today marks a further extension in the provision of services by the Church. This Harvest Plaza Supermarket which operates on the ground floor also produces quality goods and food thus making them more accessible to people living in the Kinoya and Khalsa Road areas. Members of the public will now have access to services from retail outlets selling stationery and merchandise, musical instruments, hairdressing, cosmetics, clothing to architectural services and a business centre. The new Plaza also has a food court that will serve a variety of Indian, Chinese, Fijian and European dishes six days a week, thus enabling the residents in this vicinity and surrounding areas to have a wider choice of the many different and varied cuisines.

The CMFI has truly provided a place where the spirit of community can grow here in Nasinu, a place where people will shop, where neighbours will be able to meet and interact with one another in a friendly and safe public facility. This certainly enhances social cohesion and encourages and promotes a stronger sense of belonging, oneness and ownership.

The new complex is also expected to bring significant benefits to the work of CMFI as a Church. The income generated from the business will positively contribute towards assisting the other service delivery arms in particular the Church’s World Mission branch, which supports the work of Fijian missionaries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Pacific.

It has been the norm that the Church has to rely on donors and its fundraising drives to financially support the delivery of its services. This new business venture is expected to make the Church more self-reliant. The complex will also create more employment opportunities as there will be a need to engage more people in the different areas of service delivery.

I am very pleased to note, acknowledge and highlight the fact that the developments undertaken by the Christian Mission Fellowship International are great examples for Fiji to emulate.

CMFI is not only fulfilling a fundamental need for its members to grow spiritually, but it is also fulfilling a key element in Fiji’s Constitution. The Constitution declares our collective commitment to ensuring the social and economic wellbeing of all Fijians. It provides the framework for us to develop into a modern and prosperous nation.

The CMFI now joins a number of other faith-based organisations that contribute to Fiji’s spiritual development, health and wellness, education and intellectual development, economic development, and humanitarian and social services. This is a holistic approach to life and to the ideals of a faith based community.

This entrepreneurial spirit allows CMFI to direct its ministry to the whole person—spiritual well-being, physical well-being and material well-being, all in synch and balance for a life well lived.

What a wonderful day it will be when all Fijians will be able to live a life of prosperity in a holistic sense. This is a vision that we can see through the CMFI. It is a very encouraging vision that would augur well for Fiji as a Nation.

I personally congratulate and wish Reverend Kurulo and CMFI well, and every success in this new business venture. I look forward to following future developments with great interest.

With these words, I deem it a great honour and pleasure to declare the new Harvest Plaza open. May God bless us all.