Tonga Adventist Schools Show They Are Being “Lights to the Ends of the World”

Minutes before 8:00 a.m. hundreds of young smiling students in pristine school uniforms find their seats under an open structure at Hilliard Memorial School in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. They are just in time for the moments of praise, led by one of their teachers.

A group of young students from Hilliard Memorial School in Tuku’alofa, Tonga, sit with one of the Avondale Adventist University students assigned to do her teaching placement at the educational institution. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

It’s a special emphasis week at Hilliard Memorial, a Seventh-day Adventist school in the capital city of the small archipelago kingdom in the South Pacific. As part of the Tonga for Christ meetings, which took place July 12-26 across the nation, students have special services every morning before getting into their classroom for the regular activities of the day.

A Wholesome Education

“In this school, students from Adventist homes are a minority,” acknowledges Hilliard principal Asaeli Kivalu. The kingdom has, however, a strong Christian tradition—King Tupou VI and his immediate family are members of the Free Wesleyan Church. It also enjoys religious freedom, which is protected by the country’s constitution, with “the right to practice, worship, and assemble for religious services.”

Hilliard Memorial School students sing worship songs on July 14 during a special Week of Spiritual Emphasis. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

Still, parents appreciate the values-based focus of Adventist education and its emphasis on wholistic development. Across the school, phrases painted on walls and even a water tank invite students to embrace a healthier, more wholesome life. “Be Humble;” “Be Thankful;” “Be Cheerful; and ” “Be Pure” are some of the messages for students and visitors to see.

A Hands-on Approach to Bible Learning

During the special emphasis week, the school personnel enlisted the invaluable support of guest speaker Miranda Leijser from Australia. Leijser, who serves as a school chaplain and local church pastor in Perth, Western Australia, shares and illustrates simple Bible stories not only with words but also with short drama presentations and hands-on activities. “We are planning to build a replica of the earthly sanctuary with Legos,” she says, “an activity that can help students to remember what they learn.”

Asaeli Kivalu, principal of the 395-student Adventist primary school in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

A group of students from Avondale Adventist University in Australia fulfilled their placement requirements at Hilliard as teacher assistants. The group also actively participated in worship, as Leijser called them often to dramatize part of the Bible stories she was sharing.

Then there’s music, which occupies a significant place in the spiritual life of the school. Students sing the lyrics of Christian songs by heart in both English and Tongan, while they follow the prompts of a teacher. Student choirs also add to the ambience of early-morning worship, as they seem to help increase spiritual connection.

The school has become a center of influence and mission, as only 35 percent of the students come from Seventh-day Adventist homes. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

“Hilliard students learn much more than reading and writing,” a teacher shares. “They learn to thrive and prepare for a life of service to their country and God.”

A Light in the Country and Beyond

Twenty-four minutes southeast of Hilliard Memorial is Beulah Adventist College, an academy for grades 7 to 13 on a sprawling campus. Other than one Fijian, all the students come from Tonga’s various islands, shares principal Siaosi Masila.

Hilliard Memorial School has a strong emphasis on healthy living and is acting as a wellness hub in the area. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

At Beulah, Masila explains, Seventh-day Adventists comprise just 35 percent of the student body, which makes the school a light in that island and beyond. “We are also holding daily evening meetings as part of Tonga for Christ 2026,” he reported on July 14. “The school has become a center of evangelism.”

A School With Extensive Support

Masila was happy to report that the fees students and their families pay help run the daily operations of the institution. For development projects, however, Beulah Adventist College depends on an extensive network of alumni, most of whom live abroad. They are the ones always ready to find out what are the school’s most pressing needs, and answer accordingly.

A school student choir offers a special musical item at the beginning of the worship service on July 14. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

According to Masila, former students from Tonga who now reside in Australia and New Zealand have stepped up for years to meet the school needs for upgrades in infrastructure and equipment. “They are here every year,” he shared. “We know we can count on them.”

One of the latest projects was the renovation of the school library, with a renewed focus on e-books. “It was funded by Beulah alumni living in Australia,” Masila reported. “New Zealand alumni are also connected to the school, always looking to bless the new generations of students.”

A Light to the Ends of the Earth

There is one big project, however, that stands out above the rest. Beulah is building a new girls’ dormitory, fully funded by Tongan alumni living in the U.S. The four-year project demanded a fundraising campaign and investment of Tongan pa‘anga 3 million (more than US$1.25 million), according to Masila. Now nearing completion, leaders hope to finish it before the end of 2026.

Miranda Leijser, a Seventh-day Adventist pastor from Perth, Western Australia, Australia, led the daily spiritual messages at Hilliard Memorial. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

“I am happy to report that construction is moving ahead of schedule,” Masila reported. “God willing, it is set to be officially inaugurated on December 18.”

In Tonga, Hilliard Memorial and Beulah are just two more examples of the positive imprint Adventist education has at all educational levels and across communities around the world, regional church leaders said. “These schools have changed countless lives,” they emphasized. “Their influence has reached far beyond our tiny island to illuminate the ends of the earth.”

Two students from Avondale Adventist University doing their teaching placement at Hilliard Memorial in Tonga bring a Bible story to life to drive a spiritual lesson home. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

Miranda Leijser, a Seventh-day Adventist pastor from Perth, Western Australia, Australia, coordinates spiritual emphasis activities with a teacher at Hilliard Memorial School in Tonga. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

Group of students from Avondale Adventist University in Australia are doing their teaching placement at Hilliard Memorial School in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

Siaosi Masila, president of Beulah Adventist College in Tonga. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

Partial view of the Beulah Adventist College campus in Tonga. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

A class at Beulah Adventist College in Tonga. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

Female students are looking forward to new dorm facilities scheduled to be inaugurated before the end of 2026. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]

Partial view of the new dorm facilities for female students scheduled to be inaugurated before the end of 2026. The new building has been entirely funded by Tongans living in North America. [Photo: Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review]