An evangelistic series that Compton-Samoan church Pastor Manuao Maui’a conducted in recent months resulted in 24 baptisms and six new members on profession of faith.
According to Maui’a, preparation for the series involved prayer meetings and small-group ministry that are ongoing at the church. “Despite busy schedules, members come together for prayer meetings on Sundays at 6 a.m., Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m.,” he noted. “The prayer times fuel a small-group ministry that has played a key role in our church family’s evangelism and follow-up.”
During lay activities periods, members and visitors share personal stories about how the Lord has led. Thirteen small groups currently meet each week to study the Bible with friends and relatives, sharing island-flavored songs and messages in Samoan that help bring the Bible’s teachings into everyday lives and needs.
“May my message be of the necessity for service,” said Maui’a, “that it might be a means of drawing us nearer and nearer to Jesus. We need to have roots in the Word of God, by reading day by day.”
For the past three years, Maui’a has extended the witness of the church through a weekly radio broadcast, "Leo a Valo'aga" (VOP Samoan), which airs on Sundays at 10 p.m. on KALI-FM 106.3. The program is the only Adventist broadcast in the Greater Los Angeles area targeting local Samoan residents.
Eliza Caldwell, a founding member of the Compton-Samoan congregation, has been active in the church for five decades. “Our five children are all in the church,” she said gratefully, “and my son-in-law is an elder.” The current Samoan congregation was formed around 1961, taking up the church’s ministry to fellow islanders from an earlier Samoan group that relocated out of the conference territory.
New members Paniani and Leilani Maugaotega say they had had a growing awareness and understanding of Adventist beliefs. “I heard about the church when I was growing up,” Paniani said. “Now I pray each day for the Holy Spirit to lead in our lives.” Leilani is involved in Women’s Ministry. “I am still learning the beliefs,” she added.
