What are the most burning issues you are facing regarding the role of the churches in your society? 

One of the burning issues we have in our church back home, is the influx of new religious movements coming into Tuvalu.   Instead of coming and joining us in our efforts to foster and promote Christianity in the whole country, the new religious movements come and divide families within our society, attacking our Christian principles and doctrines. As a result of their attacks, some of our people are gradually changing their faith and have joined them.

Another burning issue for our people is that of climate change and the threats to life that our communities face as a result of this crisis.   The scientific community has predicted that in less than fifty years or so, Tuvalu and other low lying countries such as Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands, will be first to experience the adverse effects of the rise in sea levels.   This ‘bad’ news has a negative effect on the younger generation who are now looking for alternative options for sustainable livelihoods, via migration to other countries.   This is in direct contrast to many of our elders who remain with the understanding that, God's promise to Noah is still the base of their faith and hope.

What we do now in the churches is that we try to encourage our people to continue with their way of life as a basis for our cultural understanding and our identity as an Island people.   In addition, we are working hard to develop and support the joint initiatives we have with funding agencies and partners to develop viable options for a sustainable future for our Island.   This is not easy work and there are no guarantees for success.   However we continue in faith and hope in the almighty and miraculous hands of our most benevolent and loving God.