A Seventh-day Adventist minister who is also a Member of Parliament in Hawaii has shared his testimony with church members holding public office in Fiji.

Pastor David Pendelton spoke at a seminar for Adventists in government about balancing the demands of ministry and of politics.

"He has survived four election campaigns in his eight years in parliament," says Pastor Ray Coombe, the director of public affairs and religious liberty for the church in the South Pacific.

Pastor Pendelton continues to sit in the Legislative Assembly even after accepting a call from the church in Hawaii to serve as its director of public affairs and religious liberty and to care for two local churches. "He's a modern Daniel who understands the importance of being a witness in public office," says Pastor Coombe.

Thirty Adventists attended the seminar, held in the capital, Suva, August 13-15 and organised by the church in the Trans-Pacific's director of public affairs and religious liberty, Pastor Waisea Vuniwa.

The president of the Senate in Fiji, Taito Waqavakatoga, spoke at the opening. Other speakers included the president of the church in the South Pacific, Pastor Laurie Evans, Pastor Coombe, the general secretary of the church in the Trans-Pacific, Pastor Lawrence Tanabose, and the acting director of health services for the western division of Fiji, Dr Tui Taoi.

The seminar is the latest in a series organised in the Pacific islands by the church. "Adventists in politics and public affairs do not have the time to regularly attend their local church and so do not receive the same nurture others do," says Pastor Coombe. "The demands of their job also challenge their commitment to God and to the church. That's why we organise these seminars."