Central Honiara Constituency Gives Back Over $500K Funding To Churches, Promotes Transparency

The Central Honiara Constituency (CHC) office on May 17, 2025, commenced the rollout of its $546,323.76 funding support program to 42 churches in the constituency.

To date, 18 of the 42 churches have received their financial support in the form of tithes and offerings, with others scheduled to receive theirs throughout this week and next week, once the constituency office receives their bank details.

This initiative was made possible through the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) Church Grants arrangement for church organizations under the Ministry of Traditional Governance and Ecclesiastical Affairs (MTGEA) and the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), under the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) program.

Half of the funding came from the Church Grants, while the remaining amount was allocated from the CDF under the CHC’s 2024 budget.

A ceremony to kick off the program’s implementation was held at Holy Cross Cathedral on Saturday, May 17, 2025, in the presence of media and the public. Having the media and the public witness the disbursement is part of the constituency office's ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability, under the esteemed leadership of Honourable Gordon Darcy Lilo, in line with the new CDF Act 2023.

Earlier this month, CHC also delivered two buses to Mataniko Pikinini Clinic and Mbokonavera Clinic to support healthcare services for both health workers and patients within the constituency.

Constituency Development Officer (CDO) Paul Rexford stated that MP Lilo and the constituency office are pleased to facilitate support to the churches.

“Giving back to churches what is due to them is important to ensure they can support their operations and outreach programs to spread the gospel of our Lord and Savior to our people,” he said.

He added that CHC, under MP Lilo’s guidance, has decided that before delivering other projects, the primary focus is to prioritize Community first—by supporting the churches first.

“Despite Central Honiara having the largest number of registered voters—over 17,000 in the last election—we continue to see it as both fitting and important to give back to these churches through their tithes and offerings. This is to ensure the work of our Lord Jesus Christ continues in this country,” CDO Rexford emphasized.

“As the CDO for CHC, I am humbled and pleased to see church leader’s express gratitude and delight for the support provided by the CHC, made possible through the national government via the constituency office.

“…As Christians, let us all pray for each other, pray for our constituency and country, and work together as a team for the betterment of CHC and our nation,” Mr. Rexford urged.

He also noted that similar support was provided last year through Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo’s discretionary fund.

“For 2025, this marks the first time the CHC team has facilitated support through the Church Grant and CDF especially for churches,” he said.

“Under the payout, smaller churches received $10,098.80, while bigger churches—such as Holy Cross Cathedral, Central SSEC, St. Barnabas Cathedral, and Wesley United—received amounts exceeding $10,000,”Mr. Rexford said.

Church leaders who attended the ceremony expressed profound gratitude to the government, Hon. Lilo, and the CHC officers for their generous support and commendable efforts for the constituents of CHC.

“This is the first of its kind. It has never happened before. Your wisdom in recognizing churches from all denominations, big and small, is laudable and praiseworthy. Thank you, Hon. Lilo, for your leadership,” the church leaders stated.

One church pastor illustrated this with the parable of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19, where Jesus healed ten men with leprosy, but only one returned to thank Him (Lord).

“CHC is like the one who returned to thank Jesus. CHC has come back to give support to its constituents and churches through these tithes and offerings,” Mr. Rexford quoted the pastor.

The church leaders assured that churches will continue to pray for the government, CHC constituents, Hon. Lilo, and his officers as they continue serving His people.

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