Apostles Fellowship International Fiji
Script error: No such module "AfC submission catcheck".
The Brief Historic Movement of the Apostles Fellowship International Fiji (AFI).
The Apostles Fellowship International Fiji is a Pentecostal Fundamental Truth Trinity believing Denomination that strive to integrate Apostolic and Prophetic Mantle in today's generation through the operation Harvest Field in frontline mission, evangelism, discipleship and church planting for the purpose of soul winning and soul retention.
The Apostles Fellowship International Founder is Rev. Dr. Poate U Mata. The Denomination was established in 1990 through the old name - Apostles Gospel Outreach Fellowship International (AGOFI). The background of the birthing of the movement in Fiji was under the Founder's Mentor Rev. Apakuki Uluirewa time in the Assembly of God Fiji (AOG) in 1958 to 1960 was appointed to Executive of AOG.
The Background in 1958 - "Rev. Apakuki Uluirewa Testimony.
The background of the birthing of the "Apostles" happened in 1958 a Pentecost Revival fire that lingers onwards untl today year 2023. The revival fire brought conviction to the people to seek the face of God, and love to be in His presence. Hours after Hours and night after night. Open Air (street evangelism) was new at that time ehen the message of salvation was proclaimed on the streets. Never happened before in Fiji. More over more people become aware of the power of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit moved mightily changing people's lives.
It was an awsome sight to see and the glory of His presence witnessed and felt everywhere the believers went. The glory of the Lord was present, signs and wonders was followed by the preaching of the Word. People literally ran to church to pray and wait on God hour after hour.
The Genesis of "The Apostles".
The "Apostles" was a group of born again spirit filled singers and musicians who had a desire to reach out for the lost through Gospel songs and music. The formation of the group was a result of a vision God gave Rev. Apakuki Uluirewa in 1962. The "Apostles" started their ministry in helping newly established and small churches by conducting week-end meetings only because all members of the group were laymen and were all employed in secular employment. The initial members are - Rev. Apakuki Uluirewa, Rev. Jonacani Leweniqila, Rev. Savenaca T Mataika, Bro. Samuela Kiniboi and Rev. Dr. Poate Mata.
The Initial Geographical Location Lautoka.
The words spread quickly and the demand on them increased and as a result, they started to conduct meetings on weekly basis. In 1988 difficult things started happening against "The Apostles" as the enemy did not like what God was doing in and through the group. Eventually members of the Apostles and their families were forbidden from attending church services and also having fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ at the Assembly of God Church in Lautoka. This decision by the board of the Assembly of God in Lautoka led to the 26 family members of "the Apostles" to meet together, pray together and fellowship together atv10 adam Street, Drasa Vitogo, Lautoka which was the residence of the Founder Rev. Dr. Poate U. Mata. The " Apostles was the AOG Evangelistic Team.
The divine cycle of growth for independent.
People met every Friday evening to pray together and on Sunday children attended Sunday School. There were was so much unity and love amongst the people that God just set them free from bitterness, anger, hatred, and other evil deeds brought on God's people by the devil, the families were eventually ex communicated from the AOG in 1990 by a resolution passed at their General Conference. As prasie, worship and prayer meeting together continues with the sharing of the Word people started coming much closer to God and started to really seeking God.
On a Sunday Morning in 1988 as the Founder Rev. Dr. Poate Mata was in the shower God spoke to him to move Sunday Services to the "Girmit Centre" in Lautoka. By the end of the year 300 people were coming to church services on Sunday. The membership continued to grow and by December, 1989 there was 600 people attending Sunday Church service at the Girmit Centre.
The Work in Suva 1989.
In April 1989 prayer meeting started every Friday at Wainivula, Nabua and Rawai Community Hall. Rev. Sairusi Vukunisiga and Pastor Davui and others joined in as their secular job transit them for God's Plan to begin in Suva.
The number of people saved increase as God continued to work in Suva through sharing of Word, praying together and having fellowship with one another. This led to the need forva bigger venue for worship. The group moved from worshipping God in homes to the Nabua Hall, to the Rawai Community Hall, to the Civic Centre, to the National Gymnasium and to Nokonoko Laucala Beach. The Founder Rev. Poate Mata become BP's Personnel Manager that led the family to move to Suva. The trio - Rev. Dr. Poate Mata (Founder), Rev. Sairusi Vukunisiga and Pastor Josefa Davui and others began the work in Suva with the need of a bigger venue was a real one as their number grow.
The Name Conceived
The search for the name in terms of registering the "Fellowship" - a name depicting the bond of brotherly love in what was a freely association of like-hearted believers in love with the Lord and the Lost.
The First Conference Leaders 1991
It was clear by 1991 that the fellowship had to organize and structure itself to take on the responsibilities ofva church for the care of it's members. The first conference was held in Suva in 1991 for the adoption of a constitution forvthe church. The late Founder Rev. Dr. Poate Mata U Mata became the Superintendent and the late Rev. Jone Tabaka his Deputy and to the superintendent for the Western Division. The late Rev. Taito Waqavakatoga took charge of the Central/Eastern Division and Rev. Peceli Viriki the Northern Division. the late Rev. Sairusi Vukunisiga Treasurer and Rev. Ratu Tui Cavuilati became General Secretary.
The Vision - "Fiji for Jesus.
It was in June, 1991 that the vision "Win Fiji for Jesus" was given to the Founder Rev. Dr. Poate U Mata. This saw the beginning of an organized onslaught throughout the entire country with evangelistic crusade "as the heart beat of the Apostles group" being led by the late Rev. Jone Tabaka. Rev. Kelepi Roqica and team stepped in and organized the necessary fromal training called " Harvest Ministry Training". This was designed and prepare workers for church planting. A 170 workers went through the training.
The FOMTI - "Fishers Of Men Training Institute."
The movement open a new local traning institute on 12 August, 1998. The institute since then has been offering level 1 Courses with a total intake of 27 women and 95 men. The institute has been conducting joint qorkshop with the National Executives on Leadership, Motivation and Communication with the ultimate aim of becomimg a one stop training center for the church.
The Workers and Structure
The work was established by gradually becoming Christian workers of 447 and 40 Pastors from various ministries within the church. Many speaks of the grace of God through the video tapes sold at nominal prizes. People are saved from watching 5lthe video tapes. 41 churches planted since the humble 10 years of the movement. The movement of several leaders who took the baton from the late Rev. Jone Tabaka to be the Western Division leaders from Nadi Rev. Masi Koroibola and Rev. Manoa Rabuka Lautoka Senior Pastor.
The Headquarters of AGOFI then changed to become Apostles Fellowship International as of today 2023.
It was increasingly becoming evident that with the growing membership the Fellowship has to have properties of its own throughout the country. Suva became the Headquarters of the Movement. Suva Jaycess was secured in 1994 for an office and place of worship. It was not until 1996 when the area at Nokonoko Laucala Beach Estate was believed to be a better arrangement for a lager all - purpose complex from the reclaimed land. Fishers Of Men (FOMTI) and English service used the Suva Jaycees. At the same time all other Division started securing land to care for their members.
The Youth and Sports
The movement spearhead the coming of youths from other various churches with the theme "Come Alive Ministry". The relevance of theme challenged besetting youths in making godly impact on the Fiji's young rugby sevens team thanks to Rev. Ratu Osea Gavidi, Pastor Paula Sugu, Bro. Rupeni Ravonu Fiji's most feared Sevens Coach.
National Social Issues
The desire to see Fiji saved for Jesus did not deter the Apostles movement from reach out when the nations was in shambles at the height of a civilian coup in May 2000. Sanity was restored by the preaching of the Word of God.
A strategy of the time
The combined network of the chiefs of the vanua, the methodist church and Assembly of God and Apostles birthed the God given strategy that opens doors to suit Fiji. The support of Rev. Viliame Daunabuna a spirit filled Minister of the Methodist Church Fiji.
Unity of the Body Chirst
The Apostles Movement in Fiji founded by the late Rev. Dr. Poate Mata grow from a status of a simple " Fellowship" to a full fledged Churches around Fiji. The wave second strategy was the renewal and restoration of the body of christ to imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is also a divine strategy of witness to the intervention to all national affairs. This is being done by uniting of churches to pray together and evangelizing together to extend the Kingdom of God, of all denominations and bring souls to Christ.
The divine change for a call to divine Maturity State in the Faith Journey of the Apostles 2013.
The shift in government concept to Theocracy mandate under the Apostles Movement is a divine Revelation to settled the establishment of the Apostles in Fiji from 1958 to 1990. The way forward was and is the change in leadership style from worldly government - democracy to godly divine government - Theocracy. All members must value the divine call and give in all it's connection under their individual competence, contribution and commitment for perfection of the movement and sustainability. The Apostolic and Prophetic Ministries in Ephesians 2:20 was the intended biblical order. God is the foundation and Apostolic and Prophetic ministers are responsible for building the house. The call to change from pastoral mindset to Apostolic mindset or models. The wisdom comes in balancing the soul winning and soul retention levels.
The movement was split in two groups in 2013 - Apostles Gospel Outreach Fellowship International (AGOFI) and the other group which the late founder Rev. Dr. Poate U Mata.
This follows so many disagreement and fault findings within the leadership.
- Nokonoko land issues payments
- Mismanagement of Funds
- Acussation of Founder Rev. Dr. Poate Mata unethical issues.
- The Founder's involved to the political space.
Today 2023 as the silent observer of the Apostles movement it is regrettably sad to see the consequences of not having the true wisdom to handle such massive anointing in novement from other leadership. The lesson gained is not talk against divine leadership even if they are wrong. Some members living the pain now and some died to the effects. The best thing is keep believing and motivating others to always have an environment of fath and possibilities despite if this are not right. Find ways to wisely address such issues and the balance character or maturity to continue.
The hopes and concern now that two streams reconciled and restore its birthing mandate in a new refresh way.
References[edit]
- Rev. Kitione Lagilagi Kulavere of Apostles Fellowship International.
- The documents of previous training and conference as a member from 1990 until today 2023.
- Observational Experience in the movement.
This article "Apostles Fellowship International Fiji" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Apostles Fellowship International Fiji. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
