International Leaders of the Salvation Army, General Lyndon and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham;
Commissioners, Elders and Leaders of Salvation Army in Fiji;
Members of the Salvation Army;
Members of the media;
Ladies and gentlemen
Miau sa Bula Re, good evening to you all!
This evening I am indeed grateful and honoured to be part of this Golden Jubilee celebration of the Salvation Army in Fiji having been founded way back in 1973. 50 years is half a century, and you should all be proud of all that you have achieved and given back to the nation, the church, the people, and communities, having fulfilled the vision and mission of which the Salvation Army was founded upon.
I have been fortunate to have family members that belong to the Salvation Army, and I am proud that I had affiliations with them as well thus I am quite familiar with the work carried out in the Salvation Army in Fiji.
The Salvation Army I am certain you all are aware is an international Christian organization founded in England in 1865 by William Booth. It was organized along quasi-military lines and devoted chiefly to evangelism with the ultimate aim to providing social services, especially to people in poverty and in vulnerable situations. The Salvation Army’s work is based on the bible and its ministry is motivated by the love of God that is shown on earth with your mission in Fiji to assist the poor, in the field of education, in looking after the vulnerable and most importantly for us in Fiji in the rehabilitation process of inmates so that they are fully accepted into society and can stand on their two feet and be independent.
Its mission that is universal and that all churches are also working towards is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. The Salvation Army in Fiji currently running a prisons ministry, providing a shelter for women in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa, and actively running the 16-church corps around the country that are engaged in community and social work is a clear testament of the great work that has been carried out in the past 50 years.
Now where to from here after having reached 50 years? I am certain that your leaders have that planned out and our duty as believers in the church is to pray about the plans and assist in the implementation of the plans. I had the privilege of meeting your International and local Church Leaders and elders at the State House on Thursday, where they had shared a glimpse of the next 50 years.
I assure you all that the plans shall be exciting, focusing on the mission impact, people, skills and capacity and sustainability. The plans set out are not only holistic but equally forward looking in terms of relevance and compatibility. I am very happy to learn that discussions are underway for the Salvation Army to commence re-engagement with Government to start discussing how the Salvation Army can align and support or drive Govt projects and initiatives within your mandate.
The saying “No man is an island”, is true and we all will continue to work collaboratively for the betterment of all our fellow citizens and most importantly for humanity and the surrounding we live in.
On behalf of Government and citizens of Fiji, I convey our collective acknowledgement and appreciation for the work carried out in the last 50 years and we look forward to your continued commitment and goodwill for our common good on mutual interests.
I take this time once again to convey our blessings and good wishes to Salvation Army in Fiji for the next 50 years!
On that note, on behalf of my family, the Office of the President, and all citizens of Fiji, I convey our best wishes and wish you and your families a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
May God bless us all, bless the work of the Salvation Army and continue to bless our beloved nation.
Vinaka Vakalevu