Community News

The academic year 2025-2026 brings three new students to Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS), and the SPD community is thrilled to welcome them.

1. Adrian Pitakaka from the Solomon Islands has enrolled in the Seminary, where he is pursuing a Master's degree in Religion with a focus on Biblical Studies (New Testament).

2. Derrick Daboyan from Papua New Guinea has joined the Seminary School, registering for a Master of Arts in Church Ministry.

3. Amelia Wacegucegu from Fiji is now part of the Graduate School, where she is enrolled in the Education program with a concentration in Administration.

The community joyfully celebrated their arrival at AIIAS.

In July 2025, missionaries from all over the world came to the island of Mindanao for ten days. Sakly Andrews (Papua New Guinea), Laitia Wacegucegu (Fiji), and Toma Naivalu (Fiji) from the South Pacific Division (SPD) community joined 15 missionaries from Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) and 15 from South Korea.

They all preached in different places in Southern Mindanao, spreading the message "The Greatest Gift for Eternity." Even though they were far apart, their voices all said the same thing: Hope.

God's work didn't start with this trip; it continued. In February, along with other AIIAS students, SPD students had already gone to the same mission field for a weekend revival. Their faith seeds paved the way for this second wave, which ended in joy and celebration: a huge baptism where hundreds of people accepted Christ and began a new life.

One missionary said, "Faith has no limits. " In Mindanao, baptism made strangers into family, and the mission became a living proof of God's grace.

From June 2–6, 2025, the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) community hosted a vibrant Vacation Bible School (VBS) themed “Mountain of Miracles,” uniting children, teachers, and families globally. This spiritual adventure focused on the life of Elijah the Prophet, featuring creative storytelling, crafts, and worship that highlighted God's power and presence. Our SPD community children were blessed to join this program—a blessing to join AIIAS.

Each day centered on different episodes from Elijah's journey, engaging children with powerful stories of miracles. Craft sessions allowed them to reflect creatively on the messages learned. The event fostered unity among diverse participants, showcasing the effectiveness of Christ-centered programs in building a shared mission within the Adventist family.

Elijah’s story provided relevant lessons on trust and courage, encouraging children to embrace their faith in challenging times. As the week concluded, participants expressed joy and renewed faith, celebrating the miracles God performs in their lives and the shaping of young disciples.

The parents of the SPD community gained valuable insights from this exercise and are eager to implement what they've learned when they return to their different mission field.