By Andromeda Safotu Uta
A praying church is a growing church. In the midst of an ever-changing world, the White City Samoan Adventist congregation has discovered the best place to be is “at the foot of the cross” in prayer. From March 20-26, the local church hosted an in-person week of prayer focused on “The Truth for Family”, inviting church members, extended family, and community friends to attend. Visitors from all over Oregon, California, and even as far as Hawaii were in attendance for this blessed event.
Each night’s topic provided biblical solutions applicable to each family member regardless of their role. Themes for each night ranged from “God for the Family” to “The Good Book”, with the grand finale, “Out of the Mud!” which focused on Sabbath and the family. Opportunities for different departments to collaborate were evident in how various groups were utilized in each night’s event. Praise and worship teams consisting of Pathfinders, young adults, and even elders, led the audience in praising God through song each night. “The Great Commission” was embodied in these meetings as many were taught bible principles and resulted in baptism. What a high point for Sabbath –– to witness and celebrate our new brothers and sisters in Christ!
Every seminar was followed by a warm delicious meal prepared by volunteer teams comprised of church families. Many Samoan churches embrace a holistic approach when caring for others, nurturing the social and physical needs in addition to spiritual feeding.
This week of prayer was a true testament of “faith in action.” In facing various obstacles, the local church bonded together to provide the ultimate experience for attendees. Pastor Talalelei Uta engaged participation from even the youngest of the gathering each night. Families were reminded of how God desires to be the canon for their home foundations, as well as how to strengthen and rebuild the most intimate and sacred of relationships. "When your ‘first church’ is your family, you must minister to them with everything you have,” shared Pastor Uta. This same principle can be applied when the congregation gathers as a church family. One of the young adults shared that the week of prayer was an eye opener for her. “I realized that I was only focused on our parents being role models. The week of prayer made me realize that even as a young person, age doesn’t matter, and I can make a difference within my own family as well.” - (Faith F. age 23)
Our “first church” will always be the family we build from within our homes, and those are the families that convene to build Christ’s communities of our church! A quarterly week of prayer will be held at the White City Samoan Church led out by different departments. The hope is to commit to the consistency of building up our families within our homes that spread out to our communities at large. May this year bring about the breakthrough our spiritual lives need to endure the work ahead and continue to create safe, healing, and God sent spaces for generations to come to flourish and fulfill the Great Commission.
