Micronesia
2007 marked the 100th anniversary of Liebenzell Mission's work in Micronesia, known then as the Caroline Islands. More than 2,000 islands are spread over thousands of miles of Pacific Ocean. Although
90% of the 500,000 inhabitants of the islands call themselves Christians,
Animism has a large influence and various cults are causing confusion
among believers with little solid Bible knowledge.
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is the official name of this independent nation, created from the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific. The FSM is divided into four states: Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei (the site of the capital), and Kosrae. Although the country covers are area roughly the size of the continental United States, the actual land area is slightly smaller than the state of Rhode Island.
Dominated by Spanish traders up until 1898, Catholic missionaries were the only Christian influence. Germany purchased the islands, which opened the door for Liebenzell's missionary involvement. Japan occupied these strategic islands at the start of World War I, and remained in control until the end of the Second World War. Liebenzell missionaries worked in pioneer evangelism and church planting, founding the Evangelical Church of Chuuk and the Yapese Evangelical Church. Both of these are independent today.
In the Chuuk Islands today, Bible school education, evangelism and training
are the focus of the mission work. The Tol Island campus of Pacific Islands Bible College (PIBC) has about 60 resident undergraduate students. In the district center of Weno, a PIBC remote teaching facility offers classes and training for pastors and church leaders while
they continue their ministry.
The Tol Island campus recently dedicated their new library, which is the largest collection of Christian and Biblical resources in the region.
In both Chuuk and Yap, PIBC is working to establish a distance education program, offering Bible and general education courses from Guam via the Internet and digital video. Improving the Internet infrastructure is a challenge in these remote settings.
On the the island of Yap the main ministry focus is on evangelism, church development, youth ministry and a Christian radio station. Extension classes are offered from Pacific Islands Bible College to assist pastors with additional training.
One goal of both Micronesian churches and PIBC is to prepare graduates to bring the gospel to the many small "outer islands" that dot the one thousand miles of ocean between Yap and Chuuk. Population on these small islands ranges from two dozen to about 300 people. Outsiders are not welcome to just land walk about; they must be invited by the island's chief.
Two years ago, Yap was hit by a powerful
typhoon; winds of up to
125 miles-per-hour damaged or destroyed over 90% of the buildings on the island. The storm center hit the island at high tide, worsening
flood damage as well. The storm damage suspended most ministries on Yap for over a year; reconstruction and repairs were slow, because getting building materials to the island is difficult and expensive. PIBC was able to offer its first course here in February 2007, 22 months after the typhoon (see "Return to Yap", below).
Ministry
Needs:
• A Bible college teacher (at least
a Masters' degree), a librarian, an English Instructor (ESL), and a Maintenance Supervisor for the
Pacific Islands Bible College campus in Chuuk
Prayer Requests:
• Students and
teachers at Pacific Islands Bible College in Chuuk
• Renewal among
nominal Christians
• National evangelists
for the islands
Recent News:
Complete Bible translation dedicated in Yap (27 Dec., 07)
Return to Yap (12 Mar., 08)
Connecting in Micronesia (09 Apr., 08)
PIBC Students in Summer Missions (13 May)