Most Salvationists already know Ronji Tanielu as a passionate advocate for justice and, of course, anything to do with his beloved community. BY JULES BADGER
‘I
was born in Samoa and raised in the capital city of the entire galaxy and universe—Mangere, South Auckland. I’m three-quarters Samoan and a quarter Tokelauan, and married to a stunning Samoan woman, Rabena,’ boasts Ronji. A lawyer by trade, Ronji has worked for The Salvation Army’s Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit (SPPU) intermittently for about five years in total. ‘The easiest way to describe my current job with the Sallies is to say that I’m paid to be as positively disruptive as I can to government, stakeholders, decision-makers and corporates in terms of social policy and justice. And, of course, I’m very passionate about the wider vision and mission of The Salvation Army,’ explains Ronji. Ronji is not backward about coming forward and speaking up when it matters. And while social issues exercise his mind, his real passion is for speaking up and advocating for people, especially the people closest to Ronji’s heart: Christian brothers and sisters who are persecuted for their faith around the world. Ronji and Rabena have served with Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) internationally as biblical tentmakers and self-funded missionaries over the years. They are still actively involved here in New Zealand, speaking to churches to raise awareness, giving financially and even writing letters to Christians who are imprisoned for their faith around the world. And if it wasn’t for Covid-19 border restrictions, they’d be doing what they do every Christmas—bringing the good news into restricted nations, as volunteers. ‘We used to live overseas, and every Christmas since then we have gone out for a month to help bring the good news to restricted nations. Covid-19 has blocked that usual practice and Rabena and I are still grieving the loss of not being able to serve in this way this year. It’s a massive hit for us. Border restrictions have also prevented us from being able to host in our home and love on persecuted believers from overseas. And Covid-19 has exacerbated persecution in some countries, like Nigeria and Tanzania, as governments use lockdowns to legitimise the closing of churches but not other religions,’ reports Ronji. For Ronji, justice for the persecuted church is a critical biblical issue—one largely ignored by the church in the West, including New Zealand. ‘Jesus says in John 15:7: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first”. In 2 Timothy 3:12 Paul writes that “...everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”. I’m a lawyer, so I know that the word “will” means we’re talking about a promise,’ explains Ronji.
A weighty burden Ronji’s burden for the persecuted church began soon after his conversion at 18 years of age. He was a student at the time studying at Auckland University. 09 JANUARY 2021 WarCry 7
