Chuuk Nazarenes dedicate new building
After many years, the Church of the Nazarene on the island of Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia has a new home.
The Chuuk Church of the Nazarene celebrated its 17th anniversary 19 November 2017. This is a special celebration for the church not only because of its anniversary but also because they are dedicating their new church building. Philippine-Micronesia Field Strategy Coordinator Stephen Gualberto was the special speaker and led the dedication of this new church building.
The church had purchased a property many years ago through the Alabaster Fund, but they needed additional resources to build their facility. The congregation raised funds through sacrificial giving and also donated their time and talent to help build the sanctuary.
A Korean donor who lives in the U.S. also gave a significant amount toward the construction of the church building, and the church was able to buy the building materials at a wholesale price through the generosity of the employer of one of the church members.
The church building is strategically located along the main road on the island of Chuuk and close to many homes with families and children to whom the church is reaching out. Raizza, a 16-year-old girl from the church, has a special burden for the children of Chuuk. She is from the Philippines and speaks Pohnpeian, Chuukese, English, and Tagalog fluently. God is using her and others to make a growing impact on the community. She is well-loved by the children and their parents, and the church also speaks highly of her.
The Federated States of Micronesia has a population of more than 100,000 people on 647 islands, speaking 13 languages. Thirty-one percent of individuals live under the international poverty line of US$1.25 per day. God is calling and raising up workers for this field, including missionaries Timothy and Lydia Kim, who relocated from the Philippines to the island of Pohnpei in 2016. They are actively involved in discipling and church growth in the Pohnpei Church of the Nazarene.