Reverend Dr Jolami Lasawa will take over the leadership of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma in 2027 after being elected President-Elect during the Church’s 2026 Annual Conference in Suva.
Lasawa will succeed the current President, Reverend Dr Semisi Turagavou.
Speaking for the first time following his election, Lasawa says he is humbled by the confidence and trust placed in him by the Church and fully accepts the challenge ahead.
He says he will embrace the responsibility with open arms and with God's help.
Lasawa acknowledges that leading the Methodist Church in Fiji comes with significant responsibility but says he and his family are ready to carry it.
He says this is a responsibility that his family and he are prepared to take on as he gets ready to assume the presidency next year.
Lasawa's election comes as the Methodist Church prepares for a period of significant change, with the Church's 2027–2028 focus
centred on liberation and reformation.
Current President Turagavou has outlined a number of proposed reforms for the Church, including moving away from compulsory levies towards voluntary heart and faith giving, making divisions and circuits more financially self-reliant, reducing the number of Church divisions and introducing changes affecting lay preachers.
The Methodist Church says Lasawa's election also comes at an important time as it continues its focus on spiritual renewal, faithful discipleship and service to communities throughout Fiji and beyond.
The Church has congratulated Lasawa and his family and is calling on Methodist members and the wider Christian community to pray for him as he prepares to take over the leadership.
It says prayers are being sought for Lasawa to be given wisdom, courage, humility and strength for the responsibility ahead.
