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Tony Berrigan’s path to missionary work in Samoa is not just a story of personal growth but also one of deep friendship and faith. In this interview, Tony shared his experiences, motivations and the remarkable journey that brought him to Samoa alongside his lifelong friend, Ross Nichol.

A Friendship Anchored in Faith

Tony and Ross have been friends since 1980, with both their lives taking a spiritual turn when Tony and his wife found faith in 1982. They spent eight years witnessing to Ross and his wife before they were born again and shortly thereafter, Ross committed himself to missionary work. Although they have lived 2,000 kilometres apart for the past 34 years— Ross in Albury, New South Wales and Tony on the Gold Coast—their friendship remained strong, fuelled by their shared faith and experiences.

Ross, a seasoned missionary, has travelled the world, including countries like India, Africa and various Pacific regions. In contrast, Tony had limited experience on the mission field, having only ventured out a few times in the past. However, last October, Tony sold his business and proposed the long-discussed idea to Ross of going on a mission trip together. When Ross asked Tony where he wanted to go, Tony left the decision to Ross, who chose Samoa.

Why Samoa?

Samoa was an unexpected choice for both Tony and Ross, especially since Ross had never been there before.
However, Ross had a longstanding connection with Roy Aaron, who works for Every Home for Christ in Samoa. Ross met Roy 12 years ago during an outreach in Papua New Guinea, where Roy gave his life to Christ. Since then, they kept in touch and Samoa became the destination for their mission trip.

Upon arriving in Samoa, Tony and Ross were warmly welcomed by Roy, who had arranged and organised an impactful mission program for them. This mission turned out to be vastly different from Ross’ usual work in places like Papua New Guinea, where crowds gathered spontaneously and his ministry focused on open-air preaching. Samoa, with its Christian heritage and gentle spirit, offered a different approach.

A Unique Mission Field

Every Home for Christ in Samoa has a well-established presence, having visited every home in the country at least once. The team, including Tony and Ross, worked on canvassing streets and homes to revisit the country for a second time. During this visit, Tony was struck by the effectiveness and structure of the mission.

 

Unlike his expectations, the approach was not about brief interactions at the doorstep; rather, it involved meaningful and personal engagements with the residents of each home.

Each visit involved sharing testimonies, speaking life into the people they met and taking the time to understand their spiritual needs. The impact of this strategy was profound; during just two days, they called on 34 homes, resulting in 37 salvations. One of the most powerful moments was at the final house they visited, where 14 out of 14 members of a retired policeman’s family gave their hearts to Jesus.

From Assistance to Ministry

For Tony, the trip was transformative. He initially saw himself as merely an assistant to Ross, who had extensive experience in preaching and missionary work. However, during their time in Samoa, Tony found himself stepping into a more active role in ministry, preaching daily in churches and meetings. This was a revelation for him, as he had always considered himself more of a writer than a speaker. The experience in Samoa showed him that there was an anointing on him to share the Word of God, both through his voice and his pen.

“Would you like to do that now?” They responded, “I have a problem with that. I can’t really say that I believe Jesus is the Son of God.” At that moment, Tony felt the spiritual challenge was beyond him, so he turned inwardly to the Holy Spirit for guidance. Then, almost without thinking, he responded, “That’s not a problem. The Bible doesn’t require you to know it or understand it. It just says that if you will believe it, you’ll be saved.” To his surprise, this simple approach worked. The academic responded with a smile, saying, “Yes, I can believe it,” and in that moment, they accepted the Lord.

Tony’s story emphasizes that having a clear strategy, even a simple one, can make a world of difference in missionary work. It not only gives direction but also helps navigate various challenges, turning seemingly complex conversations into moments of spiritual breakthrough.

A Journey of Confirmation

The trip to Samoa turned out to be a time of both personal growth and powerful ministry for Tony and Ross. From their first moments in the country, where 16 prisoners gave their lives to Jesus, to the final visit with a family of 14, they experienced what felt like divine confirmation that they were in the right place, doing the right work.

Reflecting on the experience, Tony described it as “heaven on earth.” It was a blend of spending time with his best friend, engaging in rich ministry and witnessing the profound impact of their mission. The journey reinforced the power of friendship, faith and a shared commitment to spreading the gospel, not just in Samoa, but wherever they are called to serve.
P.S. Greg Bondar has been invited to Samoa in November to preach in remote villages.