Uniting Church joins Tonga in celebrating 200 years of Christianity
UCA President Rev Charissa Suli, alongside Moderators, former missionaries, ministers, young people and members from across Australia joined the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga in celebrating the bicentenary of the Christian Church in Tonga
June 26, 2026
Representatives of the Uniting Church in Australia today joined the people of the Kingdom of Tonga in giving thanks to God for 200 years of Christianity in Tonga.
A national thanksgiving service, hosted by the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, brought together the Royal Family, President of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, His Eminence Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi, government leaders, nobles and chiefs, diplomatic representatives, church leaders from across Tonga and around the world, and thousands of worshippers from throughout the Kingdom and beyond.
The celebration was a beautiful expression of the unity of the Body of Christ and the enduring witness of the Church in Tonga.
His Majesty King Tupou VI proclaimed the Gospel and preached on the theme, “Gathering Together to Praise the Lord Jesus Christ as Tonga Enters Its Second Century of Christianity.” (In Tongan: Kātoanga Fakataha ’o Fakavikiviki’i ’a e ’Eiki ko Sīsū Kalaisi ’i he Senituli Ua ’o e Lotu Fakakalisitiane ’i Tonga.)
The service reflected on God's faithfulness over the past 200 years while looking with hope to the future of Christ's mission in Tonga.
The Uniting Church in Australia was represented by President Rev Charissa Suli, alongside Moderators, former missionaries, ministers, young people and members from across Australia, reflecting the deep and enduring partnership between the Uniting Church and the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga.
Rev Suli said it was a privilege to join Christians from across Tonga and around the world for this historic occasion.
“It was a profound privilege to gather with Christians from across Tonga and around the world to give thanks for God's faithfulness across two centuries of Christian witness,” she said.
“At the heart of this historic celebration was the Lord Jesus Christ, who continues to gather us as one Body across cultures, nations and generations.
“As Tonga enters its third century of Christian witness, my prayer is that we will continue to lift high the name of Jesus Christ, for whenever Christ is lifted high, the Church finds its unity, the world encounters the hope of the Gospel, and future generations discover the love of God.
“May we bear faithful witness to the Gospel with courage, humility and love for generations to come.”
The Uniting Church in Australia gives thanks for its longstanding partnership with the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga and for the gift of its wider ecumenical relationships across the Pacific.
As Tonga begins its third century of Christian witness, the Uniting Church prays for God's continued blessing upon the churches of Tonga as they proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ with courage, humility and hope.
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