Michele discusses pages from Explore the World with boys at an orphanage

Image credit: Brian Thomas

In 2024 my wife, Michele, and I went to Fiji for a fantastic creation mission.¹ We had the opportunity to go again this year, and what a joy it was to partner with such great workers and supporters.² We all shared one goal for the week: present evidence for creation, our Creator, and our Savior. Like last year, we had toasty, tropical, fast-paced, power-packed visits to Fijian high schools. Here’s a snapshot of what we did and what to pray for.

Our desire is to reach every high school in Fiji with the gospel. Teams visited about 40 high schools near the capital, Suva, last year. This time we traveled to the north side of the main island, Viti Levu. Most folks there are Indian or Indo-Fijian and follow Hinduism.

Michele waits for her cue to accost the crowd as part of our team's school presentation

Image credit: Tracy Lowes

During our week, two teams each traveled to two schools per day for five days. At every school, our organizer would find the principal and a large place for students to assemble. Perhaps half the schools had a covered space.

Each team brought a projector, screen, laptop, speaker, microphone, and hands-on demonstrations. The speakers traded sections, so this year I gave evidence for Noah’s Flood and warned students to prepare for the next worldwide judgment.³ Just when I sounded the most boring, my wife ran through the crowd in a sweltering T. rex suit. My co-teacher, Chris Lowes,⁴ shared the way to salvation: repent of one’s sins and trust in Jesus. At the end of our presentation, we handed each student a copy of Explore the World by Bruce Malone and Julie Vonn Vett.^5,6 Its full-color pages illustrate Christ as Creator and Savior.

Why would someone ride for hours on gravel roads in a hot cargo van? Why survive on granola bars or visit places with no bathrooms or clean water? These are paltry prices to pay to reach these students. Each precious face beckons us toward the heart of our Lord Jesus, who said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14).

Dr. Brian Thomas with students who attended the assembly

Image credit: Tracy Lowes

Some plow the rough ground of human hearts. Others sow gospel seeds, like we did in Fiji. And then God sends people to water those seeds, like team leader Fred Brashear and Sister Lagi.^7,8 Please pray with us for a harvest of Fijian souls “that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together” (John 4:36).

References

1. Staff Writer. 2024. Proclaiming Christ in Paradise: An Interview with Dr. Brian Thomas. Acts & Facts. 53 (5): 18–19.
2. We thank the Institute for Creation Research, friends, and family for their support and the Creation Science Association of Fiji for this missions opportunity.
3. Tomkins, J. P. Coming Judgment. Days of Praise, July 12, 2022.
4. Chris and Tracy Lowes represent Search for the Truth Ministries.
5. Explore the World is available at Search-ForTheTruth.net/product/explore-t
   heworld.
6. Bruce and Robin Malone run Search for the Truth Ministries, which supplies the content for these student assemblies in Fiji and other countries.
7. Fred Brashear is an American missionary to Fiji. He runs Character Under Construction, a follow-up discipleship program for students.
8. Sister Lagi helps organize the mission trips and faithfully prays for her country.

Stage image: Fijian high school students enjoy our team's hour-long assembly where they hear that their Creator wants to be their Savior
Stage image credit: Tracy Lowes

* Dr. Thomas is a research associate at the Institute for Creation Research and earned his Ph.D. in paleobiochemistry from the University of Liverpool.