Honoring A Pacific Island missionary from the Past: The Reverend Paula Seru

In the previous blog, I honoured Waqa Baravilala. In this blog, I honour his great-grandfather, the Reverend Paula Seru. There is not much detail about his life, but there is enough to remember him by. Reverend Seru was one of the first Fijian missionaries to Milingimbi Island, in the Northern Territories, Australia, the second of five mission stations established by the Methodist Overseas Mission (MOM). 

Between 1928 and 1950, seven Pacific Islanders, predominantly Fijians, were employed in Arnhem Land. Paula Seru (1928-1936), llaijia Seru (1928-1930), Kolinio Naulago Saukuru (1933- 1948), Verencki Veitarogivanua (1937-1942) and Meli Tukai (1937-1944).

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Although the Fijians were initially recruited to provideAlthough the Fijians were initially recruited to provide instruction to the Aboriginal people in the basics of agriculture, they also demonstrated their versatility, functioning in a range of jobs such as "builders, captains of mission vessels, Sunday school teachers, choir masters, evangelists, pastors, and 'protectors' of Aboriginal people" (Kadiba, 1998:107).

Paula, a lay missionary, along with others was involved in teaching the Aborigines how to utilise the land and resources for sustainability, including how to cultivate crops and vegetables. The Fijians served as a bridge between the aboriginals and the Caucasion missionaries. In his thesis, "The Methodist Mission and the emerging Aboriginal Church in Arnhem Land 1916-1977," Kadiba notes that "when their white missionary counterparts were on furlough or on sick leave, the Fijian missionaries single-handedly took responsibility for looking after the mission establishments" and were "valuable assets" during the war years. MOM records and other writings often expressed praise for the Fijian missionaries and noted that they were respected by the Aboriginals.

Waqa had the great privilege to visit the island of Millingimbi many years after his great-grandfather’s arrival. In 2019, he along with his father and family members visited for the first time.

“After learning about my mission heritage, I had total confidence in God’s call to commit my life to mission ministry. My Great Grandfather’s life impacted me and I am glad to be serving in Australia as he was, because of God’s call." 

Waqa Barvavilala

Information taken primarily from pages 103-109: Kadiba, John. "The Methodist Mission and the emerging Aboriginal Church in Arnhem Land 1916-1977." Thesis submitted for Doctor of Philosophy through the Faculty of Education, Northern Territory University, 1998.

Why Fiji First?

Bula Vinaka!

In September 1999, I was making plans to lead a School Intercession, Worship and Spiritual Warfare (SOIWSW) in Fiji. Having problems making arrangements, I had a time of fasting, asking God to speak to me about this school. I heard him say, "Fiji is my treasure. Fight for it!" At that moment, I heard God's heart for Fiji.

Then, near the end of the school, I received a vision (like watching something on a TV screen). I was looking at a bare green hill when suddenly warriors with clubs and spears came running down into the foreground. I noticed that they were mostly Fijians, though some were Melanesians. As they assembled in the front row, I saw a mix of all other Pacific Islanders filling the rows behind until the hill was completely covered. After pondering and praying more, I felt the Lord was telling me to pray, especially for the Fijian men of today, to stand up and take on leadership roles for the great commission. I continue to do that weekly, and invite you to join me if you feel the spirit's prompting. 

Fijians were known as "fierce jungle fighters" for their physical robustness and boundless bravery during World War II. "Fiji's "unsung heroes" of UK Army." BBC One Minute World News. (Tuesday 9 November 2004). 

Map of Fiji, Undated by nathanh100 is licensed under CC BY 2.0

A brief introduction to past missionaries

The first Christian missionaries to Fiji were three Tahitian teachers from the London Missionary Society, (LMS) in 1830.  In 1835, the Wesleyan Missionary Society from Australia started to work in Fiji; they saw fruit from their labour in 1854 when many notable chiefs became Christians, followed by many other converting to Christianity. As the churches grew, they also began to go out as missionaries to other places including northern Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. "How First Christian Missionaries Arrived in Fiji." Fiji Sun Newsroom, (14 August 2008).

Thomas Baker (6 February 1832 to July 1867) hailed from East Sussex, England and was a Wesleyan Methodist Church missionary to Fiji. He was known as the only missionary in that country to be killed and eaten along with seven of his Fijian followers. The incident occurred in the Navosa Highlands of western Vitu Levu in July 1867. "Nabutautau Village, Navtusila." Fijian History, (updated 22nd August 2020).

The seven Fijians massacred were Setareki Seileka, Sisa Tuilekutu, Navitalai Torau, Nemani Raqio, Taniela Batirerega, Josefata Tabuakarawa and Setareki Nadu. Two other men Aisea and Josefa Nagata escaped the massacre. In 2003, Baker's relatives visited the village for a tradition Matanigasau (reconciliation ceremony). The purpose of this ceremony was for the descendants of Baker's murderers to offer an apology to the deceased missionary's family members. "Eaten Missionary's Family Get an Apology." BBC One Minute World News, (Thursday, 13th November 2003).