Ini Kopuria founded the Melanesian Brotherhood, one of the most important organisations of the Melanesian church. Born in the first Christian village on Guadalcanal. He was baptised and sent away to school, first to Pamua then Norfolk Island. Even at that stage he was remarkable for his independence and originality.

He joined the Native Armed Constabulary for some years. Then he had a severe illness and a clear vision of Christ who warned him he was not doing the work he was meant to do. He went to A. I. Hopkins & Bishop Steward, then formed the brotherhood of young men who would take Christianity to the pagan villages of Guadalcanal, where he had worked as a policeman. There was already some experience of brotherhoods in Melanesia.

On 28 October 1925, on his own land at Tabalia, he took his vows before the two Bishops, Bishop Steward and Bishop Molyneux, and A. I. Hopkins. He gave the land to the Brotherhood and it became their headquarters. Brothers vow to remain unmarried, to take no payment for their work, and to obey those in authority. They work in pairs and are organised in “households” of no more than 12, vows are renewed annually.

No Brother ever questioned his absolute authority, not because he was the Founder, but because of the force of his personality. What things stood out in his character? First, I think his spirituality: prayer was a very real thing with Ini: he was the most reverent Melanesian I have known, and that is saying a lot. God was in all his thoughts. Second, his joyousness, he was almost always in high spirits, full of fun, full of the joy of being alive, it was good to live with him. Third, his deep understanding of the thoughts of Melanesians. At Brothers' meetings when disputes were often hot, Ini always knew who was really in the wrong and generally got that Brother to say so. Fourth, his common sense, he always knew what was practicable and kept discussions to that reverent, joyful, sympathetic, wise, these the "Brothers" knew him to be. - Rev Charles E Fox CBE, Missionary.

By 1935 there were 128 brothers, who had became a significant force for evangelism. He worked first in his own island of Guadalcanal, then in Santa Cruz, Sikaiana (which owes him its Christianity), Mala, and for a time in SagSag at the western end of New Britain, opposite New Guinea, where he prepared a number of people for baptism. He also began an Order of Companions of the Brothers to foster village support, so they could be independent of the Melanesian Mission and a totally Melanesian organisation.

Ini Kopuria remained Head Brother until 1940, and the advent of World War II. He joined the American Labour Corps, and then married. He also served as a village deacon on Guadalcanal.. He contracted an illness from which he eventually died on 6 June 1945. In the words of Charles Fox. 'At his best INI did wonderful work and we should thank God for his life and work.'

BORN:c.1900, Maravovo, Guadalcanal.

DIED: 6 June 1945, Maravovo, Guadalcanal.