Branch given recognition by church

Lay preacher Peni Asi Latavao, of Dunedin, stands at the front of a church service being held to integrate the Dunedin branch he started into the Free Church of Tonga, at Sacred Heart Church in North East Valley. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON

Lay preacher Peni Asi Latavao said he started his congregation when he moved to Dunedin four years ago.

It was just his family back then, but five other families had since joined.

Services are held at Sacred Heart Church in North East Valley.

Members of the Free Church of Tonga (from left) Peni Asi Latavao, of Dunedin, the Rev Sione Kaloni Latavao, of Christchurch, the Rev Sione Lopeti, of Christchurch, and the Rev Uele Loloma, of Dunedin, before the service yesterday. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON

The blessing of his branch there by senior members of the church yesterday was a major milestone.

The Free Church of Tonga is one of the main churches in Tonga and is a social service provider in Auckland, a role Mr Latavao hoped the Dunedin branch would eventually take on too.

He expected the Dunedin branch would continue to grow, and his vision was to help support young people, many of whom came from Tonga to study at the University of Otago.

Free Church of Tonga national secretary Sione Lopeti, of Christchurch, said the decision to integrate the Dunedin branch was made by the church’s headquarters in Tonga.

In New Zealand, the church had about 5000 members in congregations in Oamaru, Ashburton, Nelson, Auckland and Christchurch, he said.

OSCAR FRANCIS