The Assemblies of God of Fiji church are mourning the passing of one of their missionary pioneer and a bible school academic, Reverend Jone Kata.
Reverend Kata passed away after a short illness on Monday, April 6 at the Oceania Hospitals in Suva.
He was 77 years old. He is survived by his wife and three children.
His wife, Litiana Bulouloga Kata described his husband as a diligent person, a dedicated servant of God who always has a heart for people and for mission work.
“He had a passion for taking the gospel everywhere that God wanted him to. He liked to give and share whatever he had with people.”
The couple met at Nasinu Training College and tied the knot in 1966. They taught at various schools in the Nadroga province and Yasawa before they moved to Suva.
In Suva, Reverend Kata taught at Delainamasi Primary while Mrs Kata at AOG Primary.
Mrs Kata said her husband heard God’s call to go for a mission in Vanuatu. Under the guidance of the head of the Calvary Temple AOG, the Reverend Alipate Cakau, the couple spent five years in Vanuatu.
Upon his return, Reverend Kata was given the opportunity to study at the AOG Theological Seminary in the United States where he received his Masters in Christian Education.
He became the first local to be appointed Principal of the South Pacific Bible College in Wainadoi.
Reverend Kata spent seven years there before the family moved to Nadi where Reverend Kata started a church called International Mission Center.
Mrs Kata said they are overwhelmed with condolence messages from the many people whose lives were impacted by her husband.
Reverend Kata will be buried today in Suva.
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