The World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Elder Ted and wife Nancy Wilson, arrived in Samoa on Tuesday afternoon.

Their arrival saw students of the Seventh day Adventist at Lalovaea line up on both sides of the road with banners to welcome them to Samoa.

Speaking during a press conference, Mr. Wilson said he is excited to be in Samoa.

 “It’s a great privilege to be in Samoa for the first time for Nancy and myself and we were received with a very wonderful welcome at the airport and also some of the refreshing rain,” he said.

“It’s been 26 years since our last leader came to Samoa just because the world is so big and we just can’t get anywhere.

“I have been in this position for almost six years now and I think it’s just that we have a hard time getting anywhere.

“Now that doesn’t mean the Seventh day Adventist Church is not interested in Samoa because we have many different administrative levels and our regional level is located in Australia and so I’m sure that our leaders have been here many times to give encouragement.

“[But] from our World headquarters we’ll have to try and encourage more of our leaders to visit Samoa and enjoy the beautiful hospitality that we have enjoyed.

“I think it’s simply a big place and we just can’t be everywhere but it’s a great privilege to be here at this time.”

In the country to meet with local church officials, the President met with the Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.

Rev. Elder Ted and wife Nancy will leave Samoa this afternoon. 

More coverage in tomorrow’s Samoa Observer edition.