The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific has sent pastoral support to remote Pitcairn Island during an upcoming trial. Pastor Ray Coombe and his wife, Daphne, departs for the island on September 19.

In 1999, allegations of abuse rocked the tiny island community of just under 50 people. After much attention from the international media, the island is now bracing itself for the trial of seven Pitcairn Islanders.

It will take Pastor and Mrs Coombe five days to get to the island by boat and plane, but Pastor Coombe says it will be "well worth it."

"The church and community there needs pastoral support during the trial and media attention. We want them to know we care for them," he says.

The Coombes will stay on the island until mid October when Pitcairn's replacement pastor is due to arrive. The island has been without a pastor for the past few months.

Lyle Burgoyne, serving as pastor and medical officer, enjoyed both his roles on Pitcairn, but had to return earlier this year when the British government cut his medical stipend in order to assign a doctor to Pitcairn.

The island once boasted an all-Adventist population, but the membership has dropped significantly over the past 60 years. Now only eight to 10 of the islanders regularly attend worship services.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific has asked its church members to keep the people of Pitcairn Island in their prayers.

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