History of the Solomon Islands School of Ministries
In the early 1980’s, revival was taking place across the South Pacific. It was during this move of God that the Christian Outreach Centre (COC) church in Innisfail, Australia, now Empower Church INC., led by Ps Kevin Dales, started outreaching throughout the nations of the South Pacific. In the Solomon Islands, COC joined with Daniel Buto, Chief of the Mbalasuna village, to hold a number of crusades. Many people got saved and the gospel was being shared throughout the provinces.
Committed to the great commission to spread the word of God through the Solomons and beyond, Daniel Buto gifted COC land to use in God’s purposes. In 1989, with the support of Ps Ashley Schmierer, work began on building a School of Ministries. The building was funded by many generous people, including the Flegler family. David Harney oversaw the construction, design and sourcing of building materials from Australia, and John Harney and Arthur Homes-Brown worked with local laborers to build a residential dormitory and lecture hall.
In 1990 the School of Ministries welcomed the first students from across the South Pacific. Murray and Diana Townsend, with their young family, were sent out by then pastor of INC Innisfail Ps Ashley Schmierer to live on site and be the first principals. The School of Ministries started from very humble beginnings. The village is approximately 1 hour out of the capital city of Honiara. When the Townsends first arrived there was no electricity or running water.
A plumber by trade, Murray got to work installing a generator to provide lights throughout the premises and a pump to get water from a nearby freshwater bore. With the help of the students, gardens were cultivated to grow much of the fresh fruit and vegetable needed to feed all students. Through the years chickens and pigs were also kept, although rice, tuna and other household items were still required to be purchased in town.
Since the School of Ministries was established, many individuals and teams from various churches in Australia have volunteered.
These volunteers have helped to establish and improve the facilities, and partnered with the Solomon Island based team to lecture, teach and develop students to become pastors.
In 1998 Levi and Melody Lauasi from the Malaita Province, Solomon Island became the new principals of the School of Ministries, after the Townsend’s returned to Australia. Due to domestic tensions the School shut down from 1999 to 2005. From 2006 to 2009 Willie and Roslyn Tagadaena from Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands ran the School as principles. Since 2010 Leonard and Elizabeth Letana have been the principals.
In 2026 we are excited to have Abraham and Anika Vaeatangitau from Tonga to join as principals of the School, with Leonard and Elizabeth stepping into the role of Executive Principals. We are excited for the year ahead.
It has been through the love, hard work and support of many people, over many years, that the School of Ministries continues to train pastors, enable the planting of churches, spread God’s word and build His kingdom across the Pacific.
Thank you to all who have given of their time and finances, and who have prayed and raised the profile of this great work for God.
With your support, we look forward to what God will do now.