Ambassadors for Christ (South Pacific) Prayer Letter – March 2026

If Jesus never sinned, why did He step into the waters of baptism? At first glance it seems unnecessary. Baptism in the days of John the Baptist was a sign of repentance (Mark 1:4). People were confessing their sins and turning back to God. Yet when Jesus arrived at the Jordan River, John was shocked. He said, “I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?” (Matthew 3:14). John understood something important. Jesus had nothing to repent of. He had never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). He had never fallen short. He was the spotless Lamb of God (John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:19). So why did He do it?

Jesus answered John with a powerful sentence: “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). In that moment, Jesus was not confessing sin. He was identifying with sinners (Isaiah 53:12). The sinless Son of God stepped into the same water as the broken, the guilty, and the ashamed. From the very beginning of His ministry, Jesus was showing the world what He came to do. He came to stand in our place (Romans 5:8).

Throughout Scripture, we see that Jesus came to do for us what we could never do for ourselves. Where humanity failed, Jesus succeeded (Romans 5:18–19). Where we fell short, He fulfilled righteousness perfectly (Matthew 5:17). His baptism was not about His need for cleansing. It was about His willingness to carry our story. He stepped into our humanity so that we could one day step into His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

When Jesus came up out of the water, heaven opened—Gospel of Mark describes an amazing event. Coming up out of the water, He tells us about the sky splitting, tearing open. This is truly incredible. What Mark is saying is not that the clouds parted and sunshine came around, like we experience after a rainy day—no… This was something supernatural, something that was not usual. This was extraordinary. It was that time and space broke open and a window into heaven itself was seen.

It was what Stephen saw when he was being killed for his testimony for Jesus. He said in Acts 7:56: “‘Look… I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’” This is what is happening here. Can you imagine! I don’t know what that must have looked like, but for a brief moment the sky opened—but it wasn’t just the physical heavens that were opened. Rather, time and space split open to the great reality of heaven, to the throne room of God.

The language is so similar to that of Book of Isaiah 64, where the prophet Isaiah cries out to the Lord, “Oh, that You would tear open the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at Your presence.” Isaiah longed for the day when the sky itself would rip open and God would come down. Now we see what Isaiah spoke of—God split the universe apart and, in the person of the Holy Spirit, came down from heaven on Jesus at His baptism.

The Spirit descended like a dove, and the Father’s voice declared, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Gospel of Matthew 3:16–17). Notice something beautiful here. Jesus had not yet healed the sick, preached sermons, or gone to the cross—yet the Father was already pleased with Him. The approval of heaven rested on Him before any public ministry began. This moment points us forward to the finished work of Jesus and what it would mean for all who believe in Him.

At the cross, Jesus carried our sin completely (1 Peter 2:24). Scripture says that God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). The One who stepped into the waters with sinners would later step onto a cross for sinners (Romans 5:6–8). He took our guilt, our shame, our failure, and our condemnation (Romans 8:1), and He finished the work that reconciles us to God forever (John 19:30; Hebrews 10:14).

Because of this finished work, our hope is no longer anchored in how well we perform, how consistent we feel, or how perfectly we behave. Our hope is anchored in the obedience of Jesus (Romans 5:19). Just as He fulfilled all righteousness, Jesus and His perfect righteousness is now given to us as a gift through faith in union with Christ Jesus our head (Romans 3:22; Philippians 3:9). The believer does not stand before God based on personal performance but on the perfect work of Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9). He saved us by his work! Our works are filthy rags that need to be punished for, and could never save us. However we are saved by works, Christ’s work! And His life is owed life and every spiritual blessing. This is the wonder of His love. He carried our sorrow and was crushed for our filthy rags and our sinful works, paying for our penalty and satisfying the justice that was owed to us, and through union with Him by faith we receive what was owed to Jesus and are treated as though we had lived that life. And through union with Christ the Father loves us with the same affection and standing as His eternal Son. 

This changes how we see baptism today. Our baptism is not a way to earn forgiveness or prove our worth to God. It is a declaration that we have been united with Jesus. Scripture says we were buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him to new life (Romans 6:3–4; Colossians 2:12). The water becomes a picture of what Jesus has already accomplished. The old life of sin was carried by Christ, and the new life of righteousness now belongs to us through union with Him (2 Corinthians 5:17).

So when you wonder where to anchor your hope, look back to the One who stepped into the water for you. Look to the One who fulfilled righteousness in your place (Matthew 3:15). Look to the One who finished the work on the cross and rose again (John 19:30; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Your standing with God does not rise and fall with your emotions or your performance. It stands firm on the finished work of Jesus Christ on your behalf (Hebrews 10:12–14).

And because of Him, the same truth spoken over Jesus now echoes over every believer who is in Him. You are forgiven. You are accepted. You are loved. You are welcomed (Ephesians 1:6; Romans 15:7). Not because you earned it, but because Jesus fulfilled everything on your behalf (Romans 8:32–34).

Ministry Update 

Please pray for our Bible College students. We praise God for them and for their lives. Please pray for their studies, their personal walk with the Lord, and for their families. Please also pray for their safety and for their basic needs. They have their government-mandated study week break in the middle of this month—a time for them to catch up on their assignments and other school-related commitments. Below pictures of our first year students. We have students from Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji.

Please also pray for the Vocational students at our Johnson Road Campus, which is led by Dr. Poasi Nui. Please pray for their salvation. We are privileged to have these students for two years so that we can pour the Word of God into them, as well as provide practical learning that can help those who would otherwise go without. Young men in this sector of the nation’s population are at the highest risk of drug and alcohol addiction. HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases continue to be on the rise, due in part to Fiji being an outpost for drug cartels. The only thing that truly changes people is the good news about Jesus. Only He can take those who are caught in such conditions and transform them. We desire to share His love for sinners both in word and in action.

We were recently contacted by the Philotical Podcast, produced by Alhazen Ali, who requested to visit and conduct an interview. This was quite unexpected for us, and we were genuinely surprised that he would reach out—but we are thankful to the Lord for this opportunity.

During the interview, we were able to speak about the gospel and share the good news of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on this platform. Alhazen asked a wide range of thoughtful questions, which opened the door for meaningful conversation. We pray that in all that was said, the Lord would be honoured, and that His Word—sown during that time—would bear fruit in the hearts of those who listen.

If you would like to listen to the interview, the link is provided below. We would greatly appreciate your prayers that the Lord would continue to use this for His glory.

Please continue to pray for Sarath’s registration, as the matter remains with the Solicitor General’s office. Please also pray for this Christian Helps-partnership ministry, Opticare. Only the Lord can open these doors we have exhausted every possible avenue and we are trusting Him whatever the result. Please pray for the Optical team that will be coming over in July. Also, please pray for Kirsten Kumar, who has travelled to New Zealand to undergo training for his optical dispensing course. Kirsten is our apprentice optical dispenser, and the Lord has provided a full academic scholarship for him to do this training, which will help bring much-needed care. Kirsten is also one of our young leaders, particularly serving within the Christian Helps ministry. Please commit him to the Lord, along with the other young leaders.

We were greatly encouraged to have a dear friend of the ministry, Dr. Keith Stevenson, come and visit us. This was a real blessing. He spent time with Dr. Nair, the students, and staff, and spoke at chapel on Christ’s words regarding His ministers and the attitude they should have—one that reflects our Lord’s own heart.

Please continue to pray for us as we navigate this season. We are also praying for you, our prayer partners—both for the things that weigh heavily on us during this time, and for the burdens that you carry as well. If you have any prayer needs, please do let us know so that we can be praying for you as staff and students. We are aware that, on a global level, there are many heavy and serious concerns.

“We lift our eyes to the hills—from where does our help come? Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” So often, it is easy to become paralysed by the heaviness of situations or to feel despair. But this simple and profound truth remains: our God is the One who made heaven and earth—He is our help. He cares for us and knows our frailty, and He has proven His love for us at Calvary. Therefore, we can draw near with full confidence, knowing beyond doubt that He truly does care for us.

Please also pray for Samisone, who has travelled to Orange, Australia, to observe and learn in areas that will assist the students both at the Bible College and the Vocational School. We praise God for Barry Frew, who has helped arrange areas of ministry and learning for Samisone. Please keep him in your prayers, as he will be away for nearly four months. Samisone serves as the Chaplain and practical facilitator for our Vocational students.

Please pray for the region. We are still in the rainy season, which also means we are in cyclone season. There is a family in Nadi who came to faith during the Christian Helps food distribution, when BarnabasAid provided food boxes. They come from a very poor background and are living in what can only be described as a makeshift tin shed. The conditions are extremely basic, with mud floors and very unsanitary and unhealthy living conditions.

At least eight people are living in this small space. Recently, a cyclone passed through that briefly reached Category 4, with wind gusts of up to 200km/h, and it has destroyed what little shelter they had.

Would you please keep this family in your prayers? We are asking the Lord that we might be able to help them in some way, particularly in rebuilding their home, but we are committing this entirely to Him and trusting in His provision - we would love to build them a concrete block home with more space for the family.

Please bring this before the Lord—that He would provide, sustain, and strengthen them. And as Scripture reminds us, let us do good to all, especially to the household of faith. 

Please also pray for the upcoming Easter Convention and the programs scheduled in the coming month - where the world remembers the historical reality and point in time and history that our Lord was betrayed, crucified, buried and raised the Victor over the grave, sin, the powers of Hell and the Devil.  There is much prayer and preparation involved, and our desire is that Christ and His great love for sinners would be clearly proclaimed in every part of the convention—that He came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.

Please also pray for the youth and children’s camps. There has been a change to the children’s camp schedule, and it will most likely take place later in the year. We will confirm the dates once arrangements are finalised.

As mentioned in last month's prayer we received a letter from AFCI-USA informing us that they will no longer process donations connected to AFC(SP) ministries. This includes donations designated for Dr. Narayan Nair, the College of Theology and Evangelism Fiji, and other AFC(SP) ministries. Any donations received by their office after this decision will be returned to the donor.

This represents a very significant change, as we have had a partnership with the U.S. office for over fifty-four years. As you can imagine, this brings many challenges for the ministry moving forward. We bring these matters before the Lord, knowing that He knows all things and that His purposes will prevail.

We understand that many of you may have questions. Please know that we would be more than willing to speak with you personally if you would like further clarification.

For those who desire to continue supporting the work, the most practical way at present is to send support directly to our ministry account in Fiji:

AFC(SP) Fund Account

Account Name: Ambassadors for Christ South Pacific

Bank: Australia & New Zealand Banking Corporation

Branch: 165–167 Vitogo Parade, Lautoka, Fiji

Account Number: 2317438

Branch Number: 0958

Swift Code: ANZBFJFX

BS Code: 010890

Our office in Fiji will issue receipts once donations are received. However, at this stage, we do not yet have an alternative arrangement that provides U.S. donors with a tax-deductible receipt. Please make this an urgent matter of prayer, as approximately 70–80% of our support has historically been processed through the U.S. office, covering the entire CTEF (Fiji Bible College) budget. This is a very significant point of prayer.

This situation is deeply painful—not only for Dr. Nair personally, but also because of the potential impact on the gospel work here in Fiji and across the South Pacific. Many faithful staff members, students, and families depend on this support. We ask that you would especially remember them in your prayers.

Please continue to pray for the $21,500 USD needed monthly to sustain key ministry work, The Bible College takes $17,500 USD alone with all other ministries taking $4,000 a month. including:

• Fiji Bible College 

• Christian Helps

• AFC(SP) Vocational School

• The Gospel Retreat Centre

• The AFC(SP) Kindergarten

• The School of Evangelism

If you would like a breakdown of college expenses to pray about, we are more than willing to make those available for prayer and consideration. 

We continue to look to the Lord for our needs. He has faithfully provided year after year, and we are reminded again that our hope and help are found in Him alone. We humbly ask you to join us in prayer—that God would supply what is needed to equip students, serve the poor, and proclaim Christ throughout the South Pacific until He comes.

On behalf of Dr. Nair, Mrs. Nair, and the AFC(SP) Ministry Team.

In Christ's Love,

Nathan Adams

Executive Deputy Director of Operation

Ambassadors for Christ (South Pacific)