The $20 million State of the Art, three-story Worship Centre was officially opened on Saturday.
The new building comes after more than 20 years since the Jesus Christ Worship Centre Christian Church held services in Gymnasiums and different buildings under the leadership of Apostle Viliamu Mafo’e and his wife Lavina.
Constructed at Sogi, the Worship Centre took out a $2 million loan from ANZ to secure the land after moving around across town holding church services, with the assistance of $100,000 from Andy and Leone Forsgrens.
The new building can accommodate up to 2,000 people. The first floor is for services; the second floor is where offices are located and the top floor is allocated for the executive and committee conferences.
Mrs Mafo’e did the honours of cutting the ribbon, this was after she acknowledged all those who had supported and assisted with this project, noting it was not an easy journey as they faced many predicaments “but faith and trust in God have led us to where we are today”.
Apostle Viliamu Mafo’e blessed the building.
This project started in 1990 when Apostle Mafo’e received a vision from God to establish a church in the centre of Apia.
Mafo’e shared his vision with members of his Church, friends and supporters. Seven years later they started their Sunday service on top of the Forsgren building in Apia, with less than 50 people in attendance and the rest was history.
This was after Mr and Mrs Mafo’e left as Directors of the Youth For Christ organisation in Samoa.
After several years the church grew and due to a lack of space, this meant the church had to move to a bigger building. From the Forsgren’s building to the Apia Park Stadium the church then to the Tuanaimato Gym.
“We moved around a lot and there were always complaints about our services making noise during our worship, but in the end, God was always good,” said Pastor Ioane.
To date, thousands have become members of the Worship Centre with branches of the church all across Samoa and the Globe.
The blessing ceremony held on Saturday was well attended by members of the church, Government officials including Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and members of her Cabinet; leader of the Opposition Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi.
