The 525 attendees of this year's USA/Canada Region Samoan Ministries Conference rated the event higher than any previous conference.

"Words are inadequate to explain in details the wondrous love of God and the moving of His Holy Spirit among His people during the Samoan Ministries Conference USA/Canada this year," said Taulima Oge, Samoan Ministries facilitator for the USA/Canada Region. "It was indeed a very inspiring and a transforming experience."

The event was held at the Anaheim Clarion Hotel and was packed with people of all ages decked out in their colorful Samoan traditional wear.

"It was amazing to watch how God had full control of the conference from the beginning to the end," Oge said. "He filled our hearts with joy and peace as we lifted up the name of Jesus in all the worship services, youth programs, and in the powerful preaching and teaching of the Word. People went to the altar to accept Jesus as Lord, some to renew their commitments to Jesus Christ and others to accept the call to full-time ministry. Three couples and one young person are preparing to enter Nazarene Bible College in Colorado this year."

Three new church plants and three new ordained ministers were also recognized at the conference. Jerry Appleby, a pastor on the Hawaii Pacific District, presented a short history of the early years (1960-1976) of the work of the Nazarene missionaries in Samoa. The work expanded and reached other parts of the world, including the USA, New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, and other islands in the South Pacific. 

"This piece of history is the story of the miraculous power and love of God that needs to be remembered, lived, and shared in order to make Christlike disciples of all nations," Oge said. "We were challenged to work together to reach out with love, not only to Samoans, but also to people of all colors for Jesus."

The conference concluded with Communion and the organization service for Huddle Christian Fellowship, which hosted the conference this year and provided the final dinner.

"It is all for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ," Oge said. "We look forward to seeing more people in Colorado Springs for our 2017 conference."

--Multicultural Ministries