The Seventh Day Adventist (S.D.A.) church in Magiagi following their upcoming official acceptance into the village decades after its establishment, has big plans not only to contribute to the village but also to serve as an evacuation site during natural disasters.

The S.D.A, despite its' temple's sacredness, opened its doors to families in need in 2012 when Magiagi and Lelata as a result of the destructive Cyclone Evan. People were welcomed to camp inside the church until they were safe.

Recently, the village mayor of Magiagi, Luafau Lei'a Aimaasu confirmed that after decades, the village had finally accepted the S.D.A church to officially become involved in the village affairs and serve as the fifth main church in the village.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Pastor Sione Ausage who is serving at the S.D.A church in Magiagi said although the village approved the church to be established in the village in 1984, they did not feel complete not having to contribute to the village affairs.

"The church was established and accepted in the village ages ago and as everyone should be aware, for traditional villages like Magiagi, we can never put up a church without the approval of the village council," he explained.

"The church was long accepted however, the church was not involved with any of the village affairs like gatherings between churches and others and we did not feel complete knowing that we were not involved in the village affairs and other matters about the village such as saofai and so forth.

"The church's proposal was long submitted when it was established to be accepted officially into the village but we are still not sure as of this day why the former village council did not accept our church. Thankfully we will soon be welcomed to village affairs and gatherings and more."

Pastor Ausage stressed that the church has big plans to continue to serve as an evacuation site mostly for the families living on the vulnerable side of the village as well as anyone who might need help during natural disasters.

He said one of these plans includes building a new hall to cater for the church activities as well as providing more shelter as an evacuation site, as well as building a safer bus stop in front of the church.

"The old bus stop in front of the church which has been demolished, used to shelter people waiting for their buses in the rain and sun was built by the S.D.A church and we plan to build another one soon so people can escape the rain and sun when they wait for the bus," he explained.

After the S.D.A church delivers their O'o or gifts to the village as a traditional presentation, the church will be able to attend church gatherings where all churches in the village gather under one temple, a tradition that is done annually, and pastor Ausage will be able to bless a saofa'i alongside other church ministers in the village.

Meanwhile, there are approximately 20 families from Magiagi and nearby villages serving in the S.D.A church which was started by only two families in Magiagi.

This is one of the developments in the church since its inception. The date for the official traditional welcoming of the church is yet to be confirmed.