MARÉ ISLAND, NEW CALEDONIA—On the first Sabbath of July 2016 a First Sabbath Offering was taken up. Those funds went towards a new church in Maré Island, New Caledonia. On January 7, 2018, the resulting church was dedicated and inaugurated.
The New Caledonian Field was founded in 1984, and its headquarters is located in Mare Island. In this said field, there are two active groups: the first one is in Noumea and the latter Mare Island. At the beginning of the work, the brethren were using the house of one of our brethren as their place of worship. However, in the latter part of 2016, a relative of the church leader in Mare Island donated a property to our church. In the early part of 2017, the deed of donation was executed and a two-hectare property was legally donated to our church.
In the month of May, the brethren rented heavy duty machines to clear the land while the South Pacific Union Mission (SPUM) administration created a "Fly and Build" project for brethren to build the church.
In the first week of August last year, Brother John Lausevic went to Mare Island to lead the Fly and Build team. Brethren Beco Holman and Tevaihau Piha from French Polynesia, Brother Terry Barnett and Brother Keith Robertson from Australia, Brother Morris Marango and Brother Raywin Robert from Vanuatu were some volunteers who came from other countries to help the construction work. To augment the strength and skills of these brethren, the local brethren including some of our sisters contributed also their strength from the start to the finishing touches of the construction. October last year, Brother John Lausevic returned to finish the construction work and by the end of December the church almost ready for dedication.
Sunday, January 7, 2017, was a significant day in the history of the SDARM history on Mare Island. It was a special day endowed with a spectacular tropical summer morning coupled with the joyous atmosphere of friends, families, and invited guests which complemented the anticipated solemn event of the church dedication.
The invited guests present were Brother Rolly Dumaguit (GC 2nd Vice President and Regional Secretary) and Brother John Dumambi the current SPUM President. Both officiated the dedicatory service; the land owner and his family, the chief of the tribe; the Grand chief of the village who officiated the costume ceremony and Brother Eli Van Bastola were instrumental in the English to French translation.
Prior to this occasion was the baptismal service of two souls on the Sabbath afternoon. Brother Dumambi brought them to their watery grave and into the newness of life while Brother Rolly Dumaguit extended to them the right hand of fellowship welcoming them into the church of God.
Special thanks to:
- The brethren around the world for their FSO support for the Mare Island Church
- SPUM administration for their complete support of this project
- AUC administration for sending Brother John Lausevic to lead the Fly and Build Project
- To all members of the Fly and Build Team
- To all the brethren of New Caledonia who gave their strength, money, and time to accomplish this project
God be praised for this achievement. Amen
Help us build! New projects are underway all over the globe. You can have a hand in furthering the gospel and building houses of worship internationally by donating towards these causes.
Two current building projects in need of help are:
Build a church in Sierra Leoni
Build a Church in Targu-Mures, Romania
Click the links above to read more and contribute today!
