Sandra Mesui is a Tongan broadcaster based in Auckland, NZ. She is Network Program Manager for UCB Pacific Partners and was responsible for teaching the practical radio workshops at the conference. Sandra also teaches weekly Bible training courses for Pacific Island women and youth.

Sandra writes about the conference 
"In April we held our second annual Program Supervisors conference. An invitation was given to our stations in Tonga (Tongatapu and Vava?u Islands), Solomon Islands, Vanuatu (Efate and Tanna Islands) and Papua New Guinea.

Six people attended for a week of training, encouragement - and of course, lots of fun, fellowship, and food! Our first conference last year was a huge success and we knew that we needed to continue to build into the lives of our up and coming leaders, and to allow them to build their own relationships between themselves and their radio stations. However our finances early in the year were much tighter than we expected and it didn't look as if we would be able to go ahead his year. As a staff, we were asked to pray about whether we should go ahead or not - a big step of faith because the conference costs about $15,000 by the time we include air fares, etc..

As we prayed we really felt the Lord say "Yes." Some of us had been going through very pressing times personally, and had seen the hand of the Lord come through in answer to prayer. And we thought that if the Lord was answering our prayers for those seemingly less important issues ? how much more would He come through for kingdom of God things ? like this conference. If we were a comercial business, where the numbers didn?t add up, the decision would be black and white. But we?re not a business. We're a ministry and a work of faith.

Beleiving in God to do His work through us in spite of our weaknesses is a major part of our job description.. This conference is the major annual event for training and encouragement for these leaders and through them, for the staff and the ministry back in the Islands. We felt strongly God was reminding us we are to be stewards of the local people He has given us for the work of the ministry. Six leaders who have the power through their leadership, and their radio stations, to influence their nations for God. People who have volunteered their time and energy because they feel called by God ? and they were under our wing.. So the conference went ahead as planned.

And of course, God was so faithful.

The conference had two objectives. Firstly to encourage our program supervisors spiritually in regards to their roles as leaders and godly examples in the radio station, and also in terms of their personal ministry before the Lord. And secondly we wanted to bring in more specific radio training workshops. Our prayer was that they return home feeling refreshed, challenged, inspired and equipped. 
We really think the goals of our conference were all reached. 
So we?re already planning next years conference."

What our Program Directors from the Island stations 
wrote about the conference

Faneola from Letio Faka-Kalisitiane 89FM, Vava'u Island, Tonga 
"One of the most important things I have learned from the conference is that God has given me a heart for the people and be fully equipped and focus on the mission and the work God has called us to do. Be a good leader, have a good relationship and good communication with the people also how to deal with problems in the station."

Tony from Laef FM, Wewak, Papua New Guinea 
"Some important things I have learned at the conference is how to do programming that will benefit the listeners, I learnt about leadership and how to empower people and delegate responsibility. Give a life that will extend the Kingdom of God."

Kency from Radio 90Laif FM, Tanna Island, Vanuatu 
"The conference was about God doing the work within us, there I must learn to let God get the glory and show a life to serve people. At the conference I learned how to make interviews, radio production and be a good spiritual leader."

Tina from Gud Nius Redio, Solomon Islands 
"One of the important things I learned at the conference were what it is like to be a spiritual leader and how it is done through God's guidance. I thought I was having a close walk with the Lord, but this week has shown me that there are a lot of areas in my personalattitudes that I have to change and get closer than ever before to my God."

Willy from Letio Faka-Kalisitiane 93FM, Nuku' alofa, Tonga 
"I learned at the conference that a spiritual attitude which is biblical and which God intend us to have. New skills that will improve and upgrade the station. Changes to me include my attitude toward my boss and announcer, my relationship and walk with God and biblical ways to approach people."