Joeli Bulu

Who is Joeli Bulu?

Joeli Bulu became a Christian in 1833. He was one of a band of Tongan teachers who came to Fiji in 1838, and pioneered the work of the Christian Church in this group. He served the Church in Fiji for almost four decades. Many others were great in the same way. Paula Vea, another dynamic Christian missionary was a contemporary of his.

We would think of Joeli Bulu as the leader of a fine team of workers sent by King George of Tonga to spread the Church in Fiji. Joeli was converted and called to preach in Tonga and later ‘called’ to Fiji. He came to Lakeba by canoe, and was appointed to help with the printing of catechisms and passages of Scriptures.

Lorimer Fison translated Bulu's oral account of his life. This was edited by George Stringer Rowe and printed in England in 1871 with the title "Joel Bulu: The Autobiography of a Native Minister in the South Seas". It contains his adventures in fires, storms, wars and floods, including some miraculous escapes. Some believe that he was a ‘chosen vessel’ protected by Providence in no ordinary way. He survived death many times, yet was spared to serve a 40 year ministry.