200 Year Celebration of Missions in Tonga
Throughout June-July 2026 will hosted a significant and highly anticipated event to celebrate the 200 year anniversary of missions in Tonga.
As we celebrated 200 years of Christianity in Tonga, we also honored our rich Tongan legacy of sending missionaries into the Pacific and beyond to share the gospel with the nations. This special season of celebration took place throughout much of May, June and July 2026.
Our celebration unfolded in two phases. The first was an outreach-focused phase, followed by a second phase where we gathered with 150 YWAM missionaries and friends from around the world here on our campus.
Together, we enjoyed a special time of sharing testimonies, celebrating Gods faithfulness, and connecting accross nations—praising God for all He has done in Tonga over the past 200 years, and seeking the Lord’s heart for how the University of the Nations YWAM Tonga can continue to serve our nation and send more missionaries out to the nations.
Phase one of the celebration took place from May 11 to June 22. During this time, teams of YWAM missionaries and friends traveled together to visit the various islands of Tonga. They joined local communities to celebrate the goodness of God in bringing the gospel to Tonga and to honor our rich Christian heritage.
This time will also allow us to build meaningful relationships with people across the islands, creating opportunities for the University of the Nations to serve and support them in the future.
Phase two of the celebration took place from June 22 to July 6. During this time, we gathered with YWAM missionaries and friends from around the world, mostly staying together on our University of the Nations YWAM Tonga campus.
We shared daily meals and programs on campus, continuing in the spirit of celebration. We also participated in events and gatherings with churches and communities across the island. This was a dynamic and engaging season, with many opportunities for our outreach teams to bless others through special dance presentations and testimonies of missions work overseas.
Throughout this time, we were building meaningful relationships with local churches, encouraging and inspiring young people to get involved in missions, and sharing the vision and purpose of the University of the Nations as we seek to serve the nation of Tonga in the years to come.