The South Pacific Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church will be inaugurated in Brisbane, Australia, August 24-26, 2012.
A new regional conference of The International Wesleyan Church, members of the new region include The Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia, The Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand, The Wesleyan Methodist Church of the Solomon Islands, and The Wesleyan Methodist Church of Bougainville.
Dr. Richard Waugh (pictured), president-elect of the South Pacific Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, says the “member churches will retain their national autonomy and the regional conference–with its own constitution–will facilitate regional mission, ecumenism, and theological education.”
The Wesleyan Methodist Church in the South Pacific is rich in history and was heavily influenced by the 18th century revival in England, led by John and Charles Wesley, ministers and brothers. Evangelical Methodists took the gospel to Australia, the Pacific Islands, and New Zealand well into the 19th century.
“Wesleyan theology, with its evangelical and holiness emphases, continues to be a significant influence in our region,” says Dr. Waugh. “This regional organization is an important development for the Wesleyan Methodist Churches of the South Pacific, and we consider it has wider ecumenical significance,” he says.
The new regional board of the South Pacific Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church will consist of:
- Dr. Richard Waugh (National Superintendent of Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand)
- Rev. Rex Rigby (National Superintendent of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia)
- Rev. Hall Malasa (National Superintendent of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of the Solomon Islands)
- Rev. Nashon Nosuri (National Superintendent of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Bouganville)
- Doug Ring (lay leader, Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia)
- Barry Fisk (lay leader, Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand)
At the inaugural conference, special guests will include Dr. Alberto Patacsil (General Superintendent of the Philippines General Conference of The Wesleyan Church and chairman of the International Conference of The Wesleyan Church) and Dr. Jo Anne Lyon (General Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church of North America).
