The congregation as the body of Christ has a common desire and vision to be proactive and engaged to be the church of all nations, tribe, tongues, and people.

 

The Tongan language ministry at St. Luke’s and the Anglo community here are both aware of the need to have the presence of different cultural and racial groups at St. Luke’s.  The growth of our congregation  has enhanced our commitment to become a strong multi-cultural congregation. For ten months, I have seen new faces attending the Sunday morning English language service and the afternoon Tongan language service. The attendance has grown to an average of 50 compared to 25 - 35 ten months ago.

 

Our members’ commitment to the congregation was evident when three key Tongan laypersons accepted my invitation to lead three different Wesley Small Groups in the Tongan language; named Galilee, Bethlehem and Nazareth. These groups, with the addition of the Youth Wesley Small Group, Jerusalem, which I am privileged to lead and the English language Wesley Small Group, Jericho, have become the driving force determined to build the Church. The fruits of their prayers, fellowship, commitment and labor are witnessed on Sunday morning and afternoon services.

 

Respecting and encouraging Tongan language ministry has been very important for our Tongan members. They find it fulfilling to worship and fellowship together in their mother tongue during Sunday afternoon church services and small group meetings. Many Tongan members of St. Luke’s are now more comfortable sharing their gifts and graces openly since they are not expected or obliged to do so in the English language. Many have shared and preached in their mother tongue. The growth and sustenance of the Tongan language ministry confirms that if St. Luke’s is to continue to grow in numbers and faith then the only way forward is to pursue and become a multi-cultural congregation.

                                           ................ Pastor Tikiko

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