With deep sorrow and profound gratitude to God for a life richly lived in service to the church and the world, the Council for World Mission (CWM) mourns the passing of Rev. Dr Jione Havea, who was called to eternal rest in Tonga, in the Pacific, his beloved homeland and theological horizon.
Rev. Dr Jione Havea was a distinguished Pacific theologian, biblical scholar, mentor, and prophetic voice whose life and work embodied a deep commitment to justice, community, and transformative mission. Rooted in the lived realities of the Pacific, his theology was grounded in the struggles and hopes of people, especially those at the margins. He persistently challenged systems of oppression, naming and resisting patriarchy, white supremacy, and other forms of mental slavery. He called the church to a deeper practice of solidarity, compassion, and shared humanity.
We remember, Rev. Dr Havea’s contributions to CWM that were both foundational and transformative. As a Partner in Mission (PIM) and a key facilitator within the Discernment And Radical Engagement (DARE) programme, he played a transformative role in promoting DARE as a global theological platform. Through his leadership in contextual Bible reading and his involvement in eDARE forums and global consultations, he helped cultivate a new generation of theologians, pastors, and students who engage scripture as a living, contested, and liberative space.
His editorial work in the CWM DARE publications, particularly within the Intersectionality and Theology Series, has left an enduring legacy. These works have become indispensable resources for theological education across continents. His editorship of publications such as Gospel for Workers under the “Prophets from the South” series, Religion and Power, Losing Ground, Theologies from the Pacific, Dissension and Tenacity, People and Land, Scripture and Resistance, Vulnerability and Resilience, Bordered Bodies, Bothered Voices, etc. exemplifies his commitment to amplifying voices from the margins and reshaping theological discourse globally.
Beyond his formal roles, Rev. Dr Havea was widely recognised as a mentor of exceptional depth and generosity. His teaching, marked by honesty, humility, and intellectual courage, has shaped ministries, congregations, and academic institutions across the world.
I recall with deep affection my first encounter with Rev. Dr Havea in 2005, when I invited him to serve as a keynote speaker at the Pacific Roundtable meeting. That moment marked the beginning of a long and meaningful collaboration. Over the years, we journeyed together through various ecumenical platforms, including engagements within the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission on World Mission and Evangelism (CWME). Rev. Dr Havea as a brilliant theologian, a courageous interlocutor, and a friend.
Rev. Dr Havea is survived by his beloved wife, Prof. Monica J. Melanchthon and their daughter, to whom we extend our deepest condolences and prayers.
As we grieve Dr Havea’s passing, we also celebrate a life that has profoundly shaped the mission and theology of the church in our time. His legacy will continue to live on in the pages of transformative theological writings, in the lives of those he mentored, and in the ongoing struggle for justice, dignity, and life-flourishing communities.
May his soul rest in peace, and may his witness continue to inspire us to rise to life in God’s mission of justice and hope.
Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum
CWM General Secretary
