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Celebrating the Tongan Compact Bible at Queen Salote College Centenary

The centenary of Queen Salote College marks a milestone in the history of education and Christian witness in Tonga. As students, teachers, alumni, and families gather to celebrate 100 years of faith and learning, it is fitting that the Word of God holds a central place in these celebrations.
 
A highlight of the centenary is the revised Tongan Compact Bible (Moulton Version), prepared and printed in time for this historic occasion. For generations, the Scriptures have guided the spiritual formation of students at Queen Salote College, shaping character, faith, and leadership among its alumni.
 
The preparation of the revised Bible manuscript was a careful, collaborative effort. This project involved not only the Bible Society of the South Pacific, but also the Bible Society of Korea, the dedicated work of Rev. Saimone from Tonga, and the DHL team who ensured the safe and timely shipment of the Bibles. Together, these collaborations ensured that the manuscript was reviewed, corrected, printed, and delivered in time for the centenary celebrations.
 
On this special occasion, we extend heartfelt appreciation to all involved. Their tireless efforts reflect the ongoing mission of the Bible Societies: to make the Word of God available and meaningful for communities throughout the Pacific.
 
As Queen Salote College celebrates 100 years of education and Christian values, the presence of the Tongan Compact Bible reminds us of the enduring role of Scripture. It is both a tribute to the past and a gift for future generations, guiding and inspiring students, alumni, and the wider community for years to come.
 
*These Bibles are available at Friendly Islands Bookshop at Taufaʻahau Road, Nukuʻalofa, Tongatapu, Tonga.
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END-TO-END Scripture Engagement Training Introduced In Port Villa, Vanuatu

The Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC), in partnership with Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH) and Bible Society of the South Pacific (BSSP), successfully introduced the End-to-End (E2E) Scripture Engagement Training in Port Vila, Vanuatu, from 17–19 February 2026. The training was officially hosted by VCC together with Vanuatu Bible Translation (VBT), demonstrating a strong collaborative effort between national and international ministry partners.
 
Over three days, 34 registered participants, representing 11 parachurch organizations and five churches from across the country, gathered to strengthen their understanding and practice of Scripture Engagement (SE). The sessions were facilitated by Dr. Jeremiah L. Dauara (FCBH | BSSP) and Mr. Cornelius Komasi (FCBH Language Coordinator). Through this partnership, FCBH and BSSP worked closely with the host organizations to reinforce and expand Scripture Engagement efforts throughout Vanuatu.
The End-to-End (E2E) Scripture Engagement Training was designed to equip church leaders and ministry practitioners with practical and sustainable strategies. Participants reflected positively on the training and shared encouraging feedback:
  • One participant noted that learning about “the 10 factors that hinder vernacular Scripture use” was a significant insight that would greatly strengthen their Scripture Engagement work.
  • Another participant shared that “this training will equip our Mission Department in our evangelism work,” highlighting its practical value for outreach.
  • A third participant expressed personal commitment, stating that “this training has impacted me, and I want to be part of the team in taking E2E around Vanuatu.”
  • Additionally, a church leader affirmed, “This training helped me to support and empower our women leaders in the church.”
In both his opening and closing remarks, VCC Secretary General Pastor Bernard Yalimyau affirmed that the E2E training had significantly equipped church leaders for effective Scripture Engagement ministry in Vanuatu. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of unity and partnership among churches and ministries in advancing God’s Word nationwide. VBT Coordinator Pastor Daniel Boe expressed a strong desire to continue partnering with FCBH and BSSP in order to scale the E2E Scripture initiatives to other provinces across the country.
 
The training concluded on a celebratory and meaningful note with three significant activities:
  • The dedication of the Hano Audio Bible (Proclaimers), led by Pastor Bernard Yalimyau
  • The dedication of VBT’s new work uniform symbolizing renewed commitment to Bible translation ministry
  • The presentation of Audio Proclaimers to participants, church representatives, and ministry organizations to support listening groups and evangelism outreach
Together, these moments marked both celebration and commissioning—equipping leaders with practical tools for continued ministry impact.
 
Participants represented a wide range of ministries and denominations, including BSSP Vanuatu, SIL Vanuatu, Pioneers Bible Translation, Campus Crusade, Scripture Union, Pascheke Apps, Ripe for Harvest USA, PCV Translation, PCV Evangelism, PCV Christian Education Department, Mele Evangelism Group, Teouma Bush Mission, North Efate – EMAO, as well as representatives from the Church of Christ, Anglican Church, Baptist Church, and Seventh-day Adventist Church. This diverse representation reflected a strong spirit of unity and shared vision among Christian organizations in Vanuatu.
 
Overall, the End-to-End Scripture Engagement Training in Port Vila represents a strategic, forward-looking step toward strengthening Bible engagement across Vanuatu. The strong participation, positive feedback, growing provincial interest, and spirit of collaboration collectively reflect a shared commitment to ensuring that God’s Word continues to transform lives and communities throughout the nation.
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Advancing Bible Translation and Mission in Tonga

Advancing Bible Translation and Mission in Tonga

The work of Bible Translation continues to be at the heart of Bible Society Oceania – Tonga Missions in 2026. With dedication and unity, our teams are prayerfully working toward completing three major Bible projects this year: the Tonga West Revised Version, the Tongan Contemporary Bible, and the Tongan Catholic Bible.

These translation projects represent years of faithful service by church leaders, theologians, language experts, and committed volunteers from different denominations. The goal is clear — to make the Word of God accessible, accurate, and relevant for every Tongan reader, in language that speaks clearly to this generation while preserving theological integrity.

At present, our proofreading teams are actively reviewing translated portions to ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency. This stage is critical. It ensures that every verse communicates the intended biblical message faithfully and naturally in the Tongan language. Our teams meet regularly, carefully examining Scripture texts before final publication.

Beyond translation, Bible Society Oceania – Tonga Missions continues its outreach through:

  • Monthly Radio Programs — sharing Scripture reflections and encouragement.

  • Church Engagement Programs — strengthening partnerships with local congregations.

  • High School Visits — inspiring young people through the Word of God.

Preparing for Trauma Healing Workshop at Hu’atolitoli Prison
09–12 March 2026

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