In October 2024, three family members on Futuna Island, a part of the Wallis and Futuna Territory, were baptized, marking them as the first Seventh-day Adventists on the island. Futuna Island is located in the South Pacific and is a French territory.

Kalisito Tuihamouga, one of the newly baptized individuals, was first introduced to the Seventh-day Adventist Church while visiting his daughter in New Caledonia. Although she invited him to attend church, he initially declined. On her next invitation, Tuihamouga decided to join, where he listened to a touching message from Eric Morohi about Nicodemus. This experience sparked his interest, leading him to begin regularly attending church with his daughter and her family.

Upon returning to Futuna, Tuihamouga brought back a Bible, a Sabbath school lesson, and a book titled "Listen to the Bible," which contained teachings from the Adventist Church and was gifted to him. He began sharing these teachings with his family, which captured the interest of his wife, Malia, and his granddaughter, Epifania. Additionally, Tuihamouga invited Felix Wadrobert, the president of the New Caledonia Mission, to conduct Bible studies for his family at their home. Wadrobert later also performed their baptisms.

“The witness of the children, the church members, and pastors all played a part in bringing Kalisito, his wife, and granddaughter to a fuller faith in God and acceptance of the invitation to join the Adventist family,” Tupa’i said.

Developing the Church’s presence on the island has been very challenging, Tupa’i explained.

“It is a Catholic island with two districts. One district, Alo, could open because the king has passed away and there is an evangelical church there,” Tupa’i said. “However, they cannot go there until a new king is appointed. Sigave, the other district where Kalisito lives, is closed to churches other than Catholic.”

In March, Wadrobert visited Futuna along with Tuihamouga’s son to seek permission from the king of the Sigave region to share Adventist teachings publicly. However, the request was denied.

 “When God’s light is allowed to shine, no one is able to put it out,” Wadrobert said.

While they cannot publicly share the Adventist message, the family will meet to worship and study together at home.

“They will witness personally with anyone who is open to the prompting of God’s Spirit. Hopefully, a time will open soon when they can share publicly,” Tupa’i said.

Tupa’i explained that the future of ministry and outreach on the island will depend on personal witness and praying for permission to publicly witness. The Church has also been working towards getting Hope Radio on the island. Tupa’i said it will be developed soon in Wallis and is hopeful that Futuna will follow.

The original article was published on the South Pacific Division news site, Adventist Record.