Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia
The Land and the
People
Chuuk is one of four states in the Federated States of Micronesia. There are 15 major islands and numerous smaller islands. Some estimate that 75 percent of the population is 25 years old or younger. Drunkenness among the male population is a serious problem, and suicide remains a high cause of death, especially among young men.
Religion
The population is about 50% Protestant and 50% Catholic.
Past and Current
Work
A door into the region was opened through missionary Jody Colson as he worked among the Chuukese in Hawaii. Jody's witness to a Micronesian visiting Hawaii led to his trusting Christ as his Savior. The man asked Jody to come with him to his island. The first trip yielded a harvest of 60 professions of faith on the island of Pulawat. Subsequent trips revealed the need and opportunity waiting. The Colsons moved to Chuuk in 1997 and began Bible Baptist Church in the center of Weno Island. Another couple came in 1998 and are currently working in a church started years ago by independent Baptist missionaries from a sister agency. A Chuukese man reached through the ministry of Bible Baptist Church is starting a church on the island of Tol. Several students from the Baptist Churches in Chuuk are currently preparing for the ministry at Harvest Baptist Bible Institute in Guam, with plans to return to minister in the islands.
Goals
Language study is complicated by the fact that the missionary must locate a language helper and learn the language largely on a one-on-one basis. There is very little curriculum available.
Workers needed
Church planters are needed to expand the outreach into other areas of Micronesia.