Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele delivered the keynote address at the opening of the Evangelist Tim Hall Crusade at Lawson Tama Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The event brought together people from various churches under the theme “The Great Awakening.”

The Prime Minister acknowledged the pivotal role of the church in shaping the nation since the arrival of the gospel in the early 1800s.

He paid tribute to early missionaries, both overseas and local, for their commitment and sacrifice, noting how their efforts helped bring unity, governance, and purpose to Solomon Islands’ diverse communities.

“The church has been a force of extraordinary transformation, contributing to development through printing presses, schools, shipbuilding, community initiatives, and reconciliation work that has supported stability and unity,” the Prime Minister said.

He also noted the Government of National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) values the church as an important partner in implementing government policy and working for the good of all Solomon Islanders.

The Prime Minister announced plans to work with the Solomon Islands Christian Association (SICA) and Solomon Islands Full Gospel Association (SIFGA) on an annual symposium to encourage collaboration between churches and government on development and spiritual growth initiatives.

The Prime Minister thanked Evangelist Tim Hall, Pastor MacDonald, and their team from Australia for choosing Solomon Islands soon after the country’s 47th independence anniversary to share their message.

He also thanked the Honiara City authorities for making Lawson Tama available for the crusade.

The Prime Minister encouraged people to embrace the Word of God, emphasizing unity in faith, society, and the economy, as reflected in the national anthem’s call for national strength and unity.

The crusade runs from 6 to 10 August 2025, bringing together church communities for worship and fellowship.

– OPMC