Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu
| Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Classification | Protestant |
| Orientation | Calvinist |
| Theology | Reformed Evangelical |
| Polity | Presbyterian |
| Associations | World Communion of Reformed Churches, World Council of Churches |
| Region | Vanuatu |
| Origin | 1948 |
| Congregations | 400 and 450 house fellowships |
| Members | 78,000 baptised and 65,000 active members |
| Ministers | 200 |
The Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu or the Presbitirin Jyos Blong Vanuatu is the largest Christian denomination in Vanuatu.
It was created by missionaries of the London Missionary Society in the mid-1800s. In 1838 Rev John William arrived on the Island of Futuna. In Eromango Rev. William was martyred and eaten. In 1941 Apela and Samuele were placed to Futuna. Both of them were martyred. They prepared the way of Presbyterians from Canada, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand. The Presbyterian Mission Synod contributed the mission in the New Hebrides now called Vanuatu. Two prominent missionaries were John Gibson Paton from Scotland and John Geddie from Nova Scotia. Even today the Scottish Presbyterian tradition is visible in the life of the Vanuatuan church. The church developed rapidly from the south to the north. It employed indigenous pastors and teachers. The church become autonomous in 1948 as the Presbyterian Church in the New Hebrides. Vanuatu became free from the British and French colonisation in 1980. Most of the members of the new government were Presbyterians, because the Presbyterian church is the only denomination that established a theological seminary and concentrated on educating the Ni-Vanuatu people.
The denomination has approximately 78,000 members and 400 congregations, as well as 450 house fellowships in 6 presbyteries as of January 1, 2006. It is the largest denomination in the country, representing more than 30% of the population of Vanuatu.
The PCV (Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu) is headed by a moderator with offices in Port Vila. The PCV is particularly strong in the provinces of Tafea, Shefa, and Malampa. The Province of Sanma is mainly Presbyterian with a strong Roman Catholic minority in the Francophone areas of the province. There are some Presbyterian people, but no organised Presbyterian churches in Penama and Torba, both of which are traditionally Anglican. Vanuatu is the only country in the South Pacific with a significant Presbyterian heritage and membership.
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