History – Yah-rawa Wesley Church

Yah-rawa Wesley Church | Salvation For All

+679 338 3943 29 Yarawa Road, Suva. Fiji

Two names that are synonymous with the humble beginnings of Yah-rawa Wesley; Fesaitu Marseu (now Rev. Dr.) and the late Emily Vaurasi who later becme Mrs. Marseu.

Rev. Fesaitu Marseu & the late Mrs. Emily Marseu

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

FROM SUNDAY SCHOOL TO CONGREGATION
Writtend by the late Mrs. Emily Marseu

One Saturday afternoon, Mr. Samuel Marriott, a Church Steward of the Wesley Congregation at St. Matthews, visited our home at 43 Oneata Street. He invited me, then a 15-year-old working at the Agriculture Department in Suva, to help at St. Matthews. My parents agreed, and this became the start of my ministry journey.

At St. Matthews, I met Mrs. Phyllis Andrews, wife of Rev. Stanley Andrews (later President of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma). In 1962, she organized a Sunday school teacher’s exam, which I passed, leading to my appointment as both Sunday school teacher and Church Steward. With the support of Rev. Andrews, Principal William Donnelly of Ratu Sukuna Memorial School, and faithful helpers like Miss Setita, we gathered children from across Samabula East, Nabua, and Mead Road to attend Sunday school.

I fondly remember Mrs. Andrews walking with us in flip flops, changing into church shoes to ring the bell at St. Matthews. Those days were filled with joy as we shared the Gospel with children. Encouraged by Mrs. Walker of Wesley Church, I also trained with the Child Evangelism Fellowship and began a Good News Club at my home. It grew rapidly, spilling outdoors as more children joined, eventually strengthening Sunday school and church attendance at St. Matthews.

After marrying Rev. Fesaitu Marseu (now Rev. Dr.), we worked side by side in ministry, further expanding Sunday school, youth, and family ministries. By 1970, St. Matthews was recognized as a full Congregation rather than just a Preaching Centre. Worship and Sunday school moved between venues—St. Agnes Catholic School, homes, and the Anglican Church—until the Anglican space became too limited.

In 1985, under Rev. Daniel Mastapha’s leadership, the Congregation purchased and renovated a former Hindu temple, which became our new home. Over three decades, with God’s grace and the faithful support of many, the Wesley Congregation grew from strength to strength.

Today, as I reflect, I give thanks for all who labored in faith. Yarawa truly lives up to its name: Yahweh is Able.