Anchored in Faith: Fijian Pastors Step Forward as First Responders

Launched in 2023, the Lalawa – National Fijian Wellbeing Plan has provided a powerful framework to support Fijian families in Aotearoa in practical partnership with Pasefika Proud. Now, in 2025, the vision is being realised on the ground through a series of targeted workshops equipping Fijian pastors as first responders to trauma, stress, and family crises. 

Held across Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and beyond, these one-day workshops are more than just training events. They are reshaping how Fijian pastors connect with their communities, respond to hidden harm, and care for their own wellbeing. 

"We’ve come to realise the important role that our pastors play in our community," said programme lead Sai Lealea. "Not all Fijian communities in Aotearoa have providers or formal services, but almost all have a church, and where there is a church, there is a pastor." 

Designed to reflect this unique context, the workshops focus on four key outcomes: building awareness of trauma and violence, strengthening emotional and spiritual support skills, introducing de-escalation and referral practices, and connecting pastors to professional support networks. 

In Auckland, Talatala (Pastor) Victor Morrison from Assembly of God Church in South Auckland found the workshop both timely and deeply relevant. "It's an awareness, especially in the work that we do as pastors," he said. "This kind of problem is everywhere—even in our churches. The training helped us know our role and where to stop, where referral begins." 

For Victor, the concept of being a first responder was a key takeaway. "We meet people from different backgrounds and situations. Some carry things we don't see or understand, so we must be sensitive to everyone around us, alert to the signs, and know what to do." 

In Wellington, Pastor Major Joe Serevi of the Salvation Army, who has long served across spiritual, community and government spaces, found that the workshop bridged a long-standing gap. "We know the spiritual side of being a pastor, but not always the physical and emotional side. These are tools to help us serve not just the church, but the whole community," he said. 

"It helps us train our own people too. I use these tools every day- in court, in the justice system, with homelessness. But seeing other pastors learning them too? That was powerful." He believes this training is overdue for the Fijian community. "We see other Pacific groups equipped with these tools, and we need to be too." 

In Christchurch, Pastor Banuve Dretiverata of All Nation Christian Fellowship, who also works with the Department of Corrections, attended the workshop alongside his father,  the senior pastor of their church,  and described it as a moment of unity and uplift. "It was powerful to see so many pastors from different denominations in Christchurch come together through this workshop. While our churches do support each other in events like welcoming new ministers, this was the first time we gathered in this way for a full day of shared learning and reflection," he said. 

The content hit close to home. "A lot of times we only preach the good news. But stress and trauma are real in our congregations. This workshop helped raise us to another level of care." 

He has already started integrating the learning into his ministries: "It motivated me to keep going. It helped me do my job better, in church, in the community, and even at work." 

Across the board, pastors interviewed said they want to see more. Not only for themselves, but for their wives and families too. "We need both," said Pastor Joe. "Most of the time, we pastors go to our wives for help anyway!" 

The workshops are not just capacity-building. They are network-building, too. After each event, pastors share contacts and commit to staying connected. 

"Learning doesn’t stop until you’re six feet underground," laughed Pastor Victor. "We should always be open to learning more, for the good of our people." 

The success of the Fijian Pastors' Training Workshops reflects the value of grounded, community-led solutions backed by trusted partnerships. "The partnership with Pasefika Proud has been strong from the start," said Sai. "This is exactly the kind of practical, culturally anchored initiative that makes real change possible." 

With more workshops planned in Tāirāwhiti and the central North Island, and increasing demand for follow-up sessions, the message is clear: Fijian pastors are not only ready to lead, but they’re also already doing the work.