by L. M. O'Uiha (Author)

For Seventh Day Adventists, the keeping of the Sabbath is of utmost importance. What then, were Adventists in the Kingdom of Tonga to do when the human-ordained international dateline contradicted their long-held beliefs? Kingdom of Sabbath Keepers is an in-depth religious history chronicling the arrival of Christianity in Tonga, the later work of the Adventist Church, and the practical issues that come with observing Sabbath adjacent to a moveable international dateline. Author Limoni Manu O'uiha, a Ph.D in Historical and Theological Studies as well as a pastor and chaplain, traces the history of Christianity in the South Pacific-gleaning information from the Bible, experience, historical records, and the writings of Ellen White-and answers the long-standing question of why Seventh Day Adventists in Tonga keep the Sabbath on Sunday rather than Saturday. The answer, as it turns out, lies in the past, the clear teachings of the Word of God, the work of long-gone missionaries, the intricacies of Tongan culture, and the strange results of human interference in religious truth. A book full of "fascinating stories and insights that capture the dedication and commitment of early missionaries," Kingdom of Sabbath Keepers reveals to all an inspiring story of God leading His people, wherever in the world they may be.

Author Biography

Limoni Manu O'Uiha lives in New Zealand and serves as a Pastor for the North New Zealand Conference (NNZC) of Seventh-day Adventists (SDA). He is currently the Associate Pastor of the Palmerston North Central SDA Church and Pastor of the Wanganui and Hawera SDA Churches, in the lower North Island of New Zealand. Before working in New Zealand, Limoni served in the mission fields of the South Pacific. He has worked as a resident Church Pastor, School Chaplain, and Senior Lecturer of Theology at Fulton College, Fiji, and Pacific Adventist University of Papua New Guinea. Limoni has had years of experience working cross-culturally in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, and New Zealand. He has been a representative on many Boards at the Local Churches, College, University, or institutions and has served in the Pacific Islands between 1990-2007. Since moving to New Zealand, Limoni has been a member of the NNZC Executive Committee; a representative of the NNZC Healthy Adventist Ministries Team; and a member of the South Pacific Division Biblical Research Committee. In 1989, Limoni obtained a Diploma of Theology degree from Fulton College, Fiji, and a BA Theology degree in 1994 from Pacific Adventist University, Papua New Guinea. In 1999 He graduated with an MA Theology degree from Avondale College, NSW, Australia. And completed a PhD in Historical-Theological Studies in 2006 from the International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS), Manila, Philippines. Throughout his 28 years of Pastoral Ministry, Limoni has toured the South-Pacific and Asia region, Europe, England and the United States. He has taught or spoken in countries including, Fiji, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, French Polynesia, Solomons, Vanuatu, the Philippines, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. Apart from travelling or writing, Limoni loves talking to people or taking time off with family and friends. He is married and has four adult children and four grandchildren.