Nusa Roviana celebrate anniversary of the gospel’s arrival
By Alfred Pagepitu
On Tuesday the United Church in Nusa Roviana celebrated the 110th anniversary of the arrival of the gospel on the Island in Western Province.
Assistant Minister Rev. Dayson Ben said it was a remarkable transformation for an island said to be the birthplace of headhunting and home to the darkest spiritual deity, the Tiola.
He said Nusa Roviana had resisted the Christian faith for over a decade after it was first introduced to the western Solomons in 1902.
The breakthrough finally came in 1914 through the efforts of a chiefly prince named James Pitu, whose own journey into Christianity began at Roman Catholic and Methodist mission schools.
Wreaths were laid at the memorial site where the church members witnessed the commemoration.
On July 16, 1914, Pitu returned to his home island and succeeded in establishing the Methodist United Church of Nusa Roviana, despite facing fierce local opposition.
“Today is a very big time and event to commemorate 110 years of the arrival of the gospel at Nusa Roviana since we are recalling back to 1914,” Rev. Ben, assistant minister responsible for the Nusa Roviana Congregation said.
Congregants filled the day with action songs, feasting, and various other activities to honor the pioneering efforts that brought the light of the gospel to this once-isolated island.
“This day is very special for us and a big time to celebrate and commemorate and remember the pioneers who brought the gospel. The highlight of this is the struggle of the pioneers who brought the gospel, and this is the core thing for the people to come and witness and commemorate,” Rev. Ben added.
Nusa Roviana church members presented a song during the church service.
Attending the church event were local community leaders, the Superintendent Minister for Roviana Circuit, Anthony Sapopala and even relatives who had traveled from Honiara and other parts of the country to join the celebration. Other local churches and denominations also participated in marking this significant occasion.
Assistant Minister Rev. Ben recounted the history of the gospel’s arrival during the church service, and Superintendent Sapopala for the Roviana Circuit delivered a powerful sermon.
The community also visited the site where the gospel was first introduced 110 years ago, making it a truly memorable day of celebration and commemoration.
ENDS////