Fiji
WHO ARE WE ?
The 'Northern Christian Training Centre' is a vision birthed out of unity. Over the last few years we have seen God move in such a sovereign way in the area of unity here in Labasa, which is unique. The population of Fiji is made up of both Indigenous Fijians together with Indo-Fijian [descendants of indentured Indian immigrants] and others.
Mostly we see separate churches for Indian people and separate churches for Fijian people. In Labasa as the Spirit of God has moved on the hearts of both major races, we have seen a coming together of both Fijian and Indian churches, to such an extent that now it is common place to see Fijian pastors preaching in Indian churches and Indian pastors preaching in Fijian churches, and also mixed race churches being birthed, each month. Many churches close down their meetings on the First Sunday evening in the month and come together and worship together in unity as the 'Northern Christian Revival Fellowship', and also at other times when-ever visiting speakers come into Labasa.
It has been out of this unity that God has moved on the hearts of many to prepare us all for this time when God would have us move to establish a Bible Training Centre to cater for the great need in the area of training and equipping the Body of Christ. It is the feeling of many local and overseas pastors who visit Labasa that Labasa and Fiji is on the Brink of an amazing Revival. There is a great need to prepare for this revival, in Equipping people for Ministry to cater for the great influx of souls who are about to flow into every church.
Coconut Trees on the front cover.
Why did we chose Coconut Trees for our Prospectus you may ask ? Well firstly the Coconut Tree is a symbol of the South Pacific and our Training Centre is in this region of the World. Secondly it is known as a fruitful tree, and where-ever the fruit falls into a stream, river, or sea, it floats and travels in the flow of the water until it reaches land, where it then takes root and grows and then brings forth more fruit, and on and on the process goes.
This is our vision for the 'Northern Christian Training Centre', that this Centre will be a place where students may come and be equipped in the Word of God and for their Ministry in the Body of Christ where-ever God has placed them, then they go in the stream of God and take root, and in turn bring forth much fruit, and the process continues. It is exciting to note that the Coconut Tree, flowers and bears fruit each month as with the tree of life in the book of Revelation, our vision is through the NCTC God will bring healing to the Nations.
Rev 22:2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (NKJ) The bird shown on the Logo is a dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit, for we believe it is the Holy Spirit who has conceived this Training Centre and is hovering over the NCTC which is going to fulfil the vision. Ps 1:3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. (NKJ )
FIJI - LAND AND PEOPLE
The Northern Christian Training Centre is Situated near the Town of Labasa on the island of Vanua Levu in the Fiji Islands. Only about 105 of Fiji's islands are inhabited. The larger islands are volcanic and mountainous except in the river valleys; the smaller islands are mostly coral. The largest island, Viti Levu, where almost 80% of the population live, covers 10,386 sq km (4,010 sq miles); Suva, the capital and largest city, is located on its southeast coast. The climate is tropical, with an annual mean temperature of 27 degrees C (80 degrees F); rainfall varies from 1,780 mm (70 in) in the west to more than 2,540 mm (100 in) in the east.
Vegetation varies according to rainfall, with dense forests in the mountains, tropical savanna grasslands in the west, and dense vegetation in the east. Mount Tomaniivi (1,323 m/4,341 ft), on Viti Levu, is Fiji's highest point. Mangrove trees dominate coastal areas. Indigenous Fijians, who were a minority in their own country at independence in 1970, are mainly of Melanesian stock. The former Indian majority (only 46% of the population by 1991) is descended from field workers brought by the British. Although the Indians are denied traditional communal land ownership, they operate most of the sugar plantations.
Although English is the official language, Fijians speak their own language and are primarily Christian (85% Methodist). The Indian population, which is 70% Hindu and 25% Muslim, speaks a dialect of Hindi. There are also small Chinese and white minorities.
In 1996 the population of Fiji on August 25, stood at 772,655. 394,999 were Fijians[51.1%] and 336,579 were Indians [43.6%] and 41,077 others [5.3%]. More than half of Fiji's population are Christians [52.9%], Hindus [38.1%], Muslim [7.8%], Sikhs [0.7%]. Others [0.1%] and those with no religion [0.4%].
Fiji is situated in the South Pacific it is an independent nation about 2,100 km (1,300 miles) north of New Zealand. It is an archipelago of more than 300 islands spread over about 1,600,000 sq km (1,000,000 sq miles). A British colony for nearly a century, Fiji became independent in 1970. In being situated in the Middle of the South Pacific, we believe God has a special plan for the Nation of Fiji, and in the future we will see God moving in a mighty way. We believe the NCTC is going to have such an important role along with many others, in this whole area.
We foresee many students coming from around the Pacific Area to receive training and equipping for the Ministry which God has called them into and going back to their own Nations with the spirit of Revival in their hearts to touch their own Nations as well.
THE NCTC PLANS
We Believe the Plans that God has placed in all involved with the NCTC is sovereignly given. All the trustees involved in the 'kicking off' of the NCTC had felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to begin this venture - before the Holy Spirit brought it all together.
We have it on our heart to have a complex to which students from all over Fiji and the South Pacific and beyond may come and be equipped, not only in the area of Biblical and theological studies, but in practical areas of ministry also. Our curriculum will have a lot of hands-on application of what is learnt in the class room. We have planned to have Ministry Outreach once a week, where the NCTC students will be available to any Church in The Body of Christ to be used to go out into areas, to do door knocking, or distribution of tracts into the remoter areas of Vanua Levu.
To set up shelters and assist in crusades etc. We also have it on our heart to train all the students in different creative ways of presenting the Gospel. Areas such as Puppetry, Clowning, Skits, Musical items, as well as the traditional ways of presenting the Gospel, such as Testifying and Preaching. Many Churches have expressed great excitement to us at the prospect of teams being made available to be used to help reach virtually untouched areas in the region.
It is also envisaged to have Open-Air Meetings one afternoon a week at strategic spots around the township of Labasa. The purpose of this will be to reach out to the Lost in the Township, and also to train the students in all aspects of Christian Evangelism.
WHAT DOES THE NCTC HAVE TO START WITH ?
For many years the Prasad family in Vunika [approx 8 kms from Labasa] have had it on their heart to give 15 acres of their 17 acres - lease-hold property, for the construction of a Bible School or Training Centre. When discussions were first being held about the possibility of starting a 'Training Centre', it was with great excitement that the land was immediately offered to the NCTC for the purpose of Building the 'Northern Christian Training Centre'. Land of this calibre and proximity to the Township of Labasa is extremely hard to obtian, and all praise is give to God for His great provision.
WHERE WILL NCTC FUNDING COME FROM?
It is our desire for the NCTC to be self supporting, and we have many viable plans on how to raise the necessary funds needed for this Centre. The size of the land offered provides ample areas for vegetable planting and animal husbandry. We are also planning to build a fully equipped workshop where the manufacture of practical and attractive low cost furniture, and possibly also boat building will be under-taken. This will not only provide the Training Centre with funds required to maintain the Centre, but also skills and training in various aspects of carpentry for the students.
One of the conditions which will be given to each student will be that every 'live-in' student must spend three afternoons a week working in the workshop while every 'day - student' must spend one afternoon a week. It is also planned to grow 'Voivoi' and make grass 'Voivoi' mats and other crafts, for which the skill to make these things has declined over the years, while yet remaining in popular demand. This again will also give many people skills in areas that they otherwise would not have had, nor be able to pass on to other people. As students from other places come and attend and then pass-out from the Training Centre, they will take these skills with them to their different villages and nations. The NCTC policy requirement for all students to work, is intended towards instilling self-reliance as well as character building.
It is the collective view of the members of the Board of Trustees, that an initial appeal for finance be launched immediately, in order to get the project off the ground. Anyone seeking specific information on the use of the money which has been give by them will be provided the same upon request.
No administration fees other than what is needed to run the Centre will betaken out of the money given to the NCTC, as the money received will be utilised in building and equipping the Centre.
The plan is to have a Training Centre where the Students should not have to pay any more money than a minimum sum to attend, as they will be required to work on the site as part of their training and to assist in the running of the Training Centre. We are planning to begin in May, as we already have students from Fiji and other South Pacific Nations waiting for us to begin. We are planning to construct the Centre in stages and the speed in which we do each stage, will depend on the availability of funds,.
We have make-shift accommodation for 10 to 20 students, and there are also many unemployed youth who have expressed the desire to enrol at the Training Centre. So we will begin with what we have and then continue as funds are made available to us for the various stages of the project.
The Wonderful thing about this group of people who are referred to as the Board of Trustees, is that there is no super star, but each have a genuine love and respect for one another, and the desire to see this Training Centre established. At each meeting of the Board there is a beautiful sense of the Presence of the Lord. It would be hard to find such an excited and enthusiastic group of people as 'The Board of Trustees' of the 'Northern Christian Training Centre'.
As may be seen from the attached information on each Member of the Board, the leadership of the NCTC is made up of trustees who are people from different races, denominations, and gender. Each with a common Love for the Lord Jesus Christ .
DONALD H BULL (MBE) J.P. (Fiji) - is one of the most well known and highly respected men in Labasa. Born in Labasa of Australian parents, who at the ago of 57 was wonderfully transformed from a Hard Businessman to a totally sold-out gentle Christian man who attends a Charismatic Anglican Church. Don was one of the ten men the Government of Fiji called upon to review the Constitution of Fiji after the 1987 Coups. A man of the highest integrity and Christian Ethics. Don and his wife Queenie have 3 surviving children, and six grandchildren.
MARION R MALE B.Th. is a Missionary Bible Teacher, who has been directly involved with missionary work in Fiji for the past 20 years, having spent 10 years living in Fiji and other places in the South Pacific, being sent out and fully supported by 'Creek St Christian Fellowship' in Bendigo Vic, Australia - the church she has been part of all her life. Marion has been instrumental in bringing about Unity amongst many churches in the Labasa area, and is held in very high esteem by all who know her. She along with Don Bull coordinate the Northern Christian Revival Fellowship. Being a tireless worker in the area of unity, she also coordinates the 'Labasa Ladies Christian Fellowship', uniting woman from different churches. A woman of amazing vision, a true servant of the Body of Christ. With practical skills gained in her completion of a trade certificate - Textile Mechanic. Marion will be Principal of the NCTC. She is single, having never married vision, a true servant of the Body of Christ. With practical skills gained in her completion of a trade certificate - Textile Mechanic.
MAIKA T RAINIMA [Chairman] is Senior Pastor of the Christian Outreach Centre in the Township of Seaqaqa near Labasa, and is overseer of all the COC work here in this Northern Region of Fiji. Maika is also the Manager of the National Bank of Fiji in Labasa, with amazing administrative skills, he has a great love for all races of people - no matter what denominational background, religion, or ethnic grouping they may be from. He has an excellent rapport with all peoples. Maika and his wife Inise Kaisuni have 5 children.
DAVID PRASAD - is the Founding Pastor of 'Bethesda Christian Fellowship'. David is a young Indian man with wisdom beyond his years. David was raised in the Methodist Church, and has also spent 6 years serving in YWAM in India and Fiji and is a very well known Pastor in Labasa, whom God has used mightily in the areas of healing. David has a great love for the Body of Christ and peoples of different races, further evidenced by his recent marriage to Selina a local Fijian girl.
SATYA 'KOKO' SINGH - is the Founding Pastor of Three New Life Churches here in the North of the Island of Vanua Lavu. A man of remarkable energy and drive, with such a compassion for the poor and rejected of this world. Koko was born of an Indian father and a Fijian mother, which has given him such a unique insight in reaching out to both of the major races in Fiji. Koko is the Manager of the Shell Company here in the Northern part of Fiji. A history maker in the Nation - a man of vision. Koko also represented the Nation of Fiji on the soccer field in his younger days. Koko with his wife Teresa have four children.
APPROXIMATE COST OF EQUIPMENT NEEDED
STAGE One:
Photocopier - $3,800
Guillotine - $150
Book Binding Machine - $720
40 Reams of Paper - $252
200 Photocopier Transparency [for book covers] - $75
200 Book Binding Inserts - $88
200 Covers for Books - $110
Legal Costs of Registration NCTC with Fiji Govt. - $250
Building of Office in FNPF Building - $500
Total $5945
STAGE Two:
Legal costs / Transfer of Land
$3,000
Building of Drive Way $2,500
Levelling of Land $5,000
Landscaping /Tree planting $500 Total $11,000
STAGE Three:
Building of Workshop
Equipment for Workshop - Part One
Construction of Toilets and Bathroom
Construction of Laundry and Clotheslines
Equipping Laundry
Construction of Playgrounds - For Netball/Volleyball etc
STAGE Four:
Purchasing of Carrier Truck - for transporting students
$20,000 Total $25,000
STAGE Five:
Construction of Chaplain's Residence
Construction of 6 Bures [Grass Huts]
Construction of Furniture for Bures [Grass Huts]
Construction of Foot Paths
Construction of Kitchen and dining hall area
Construction of Games Room
Construction of Office
Construction of Library
STAGE Six:
Construction of Poultry Pens
Purchasing of livestock
Construction of Fish Ponds
STAGE Seven:
Construction of Meeting Hall
Construction of Foot Paths
STAGE Eight:
Construction of 6 Bures [Grass
Huts]
Construction of Furniture for Bures [Grass Huts]
STAGE Nine:
Equipment for Workshop - Part
Two
STAGE Ten:
Construction of 6 Bures [Grass
Huts]
Construction of Furniture for Bures [Grass Huts]
Should you read this prospectus and find you do not feel to contribute anything to the centre, we would like to thank you very much for taking the time to read and look at this prospectus. It is not our intention to put any pressure on any church or individual in our endeavour to seek finances for this venture. The Board of Trustees have total confidence in our Great Provider - 'Our Lord Jesus Christ', who will move on those whom He would, to help us.
Phil 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; (NKJ)
Enquires: Marion Male
Principal of Northern Christian Training Centre
P.O. Box.2581
Labasa
Fiji Islands
Ph: [679] 811009
email: marionfiji@is.com.fj
BANK - Westpac Banking Corporation, Labasa,
Fiji
ACCOUNT: 9800152051
NAME: NCTC - Trust Fund
We will be covering Marion's progress in building a new training school for Fiji and the South Pacific and reporting her news in the Latest News pages.
You can e-mail her direct on marionfiji@is.com.fj
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