Tales from the South Pacific

Montana Presbyterians' funds drive helps build new island churches

(Reprinted with permission from Presbyterians Today, October 2009)

A Day of Celebration: Presbyterians on Futuna Island dedicating their new church.  Photo by David Walter.

When members of First Presbyterian Church of Bozeman, Mont., raised funds to renovate their building, the impact of the campaign rippled across the Pacific Ocean to tiny Futuna Island.

From the beginning of their funds campaign, this group of Montana Presbyterians pledged to give 10 percent of the money to mission beyond their own walls. They reached their goal and then sent the tithed money to help build new churches on Futuna and another island, Tanna, in the South Pacific. Futuna residents raised the balance of the needed funds.

Last December David Walter, Pacific Region Liaison for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), traveled to the dedication of the Futuna church. When he got there the building was not quite finished because the freighter carrying needed supplies—originally scheduled to dock in October — had arrived only the night before.

People from the 40-person village unloaded the ship and carried supplies up a steep, thousand-foot cliff to the village. (Everything used to build the church was carried up this cliff — including three tons of cement carried up in a single morning.) The villagers worked through the night for three straight nights to finish construction and have the church ready for the dedication. The ceremony included a parade, dancing, singing, worship and a large afternoon meal, shared by all.

The new church building could literally save lives — it was built to withstand cyclones. People from six villages will be able to use the church as a shelter. Last year a devastating cyclone stalled over Futuna for nearly 30 hours.

Futuna is part of Vanuatu, an archipelago of 83 islands east of Australia. The country has a population of about 210,000 and more than a third of the residents are Presbyterian, the largest denomination in the country.

In a letter to the Bozeman church, David Walter wrote, "With your help, a new beautiful church is being worshiped in,  a congregation is proud of what they have accomplished, and you have assisted in bringing and keeping the gospel alive in this remote part of the world."

Church Financial Campaign Service (CFCS), a program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s General Assembly Mission Council, helped the Bozeman church with its fund-raising campaign.

"We often challenge churches — such as the one in Bozemn — to commit to tithing to help others," says Bob Kukla, CFCS consultant. For more information call Kukla at (888) 700-9797 or visit the CFCS Web site.
— Susan E. Lindsey