The coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic delayed the opening of a new church for five weeks until last Sunday, when it was able to open its doors following the relaxing of state of emergency (S.O.E.) orders.

The Christian City Church-Apia Central (C3) held its first service at the Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi (T.A.T.T.E.) Building in Sogi with the church’s founders Pastor Eric Poe and his wife Erema at the helm of the ministry.

Pastor Eric, former director of not-for-profit group Teen Challenge, told Samoa Observer in an interview that their ministry places an emphasis on youth and marriage.

Talking about his journey to lead the ministry, he said his quest to become a better person through the Gospel of Christ got him started.

“It was not to become a pastor. It was to become a better person, a better husband to my wife and best father to my kids and then it grew and grew. Then it grew to a point where I loved doing work in the ministry, the work of God,” he said.

“And I started working as a volunteer for Youth for Christ for more than 10 years and after that I helped to start Teen Challenge. I’m still volunteering for Teen Challenge.”

While Pastor Eric has now devoted his life to the ministry full-time, Pastor Erema works for the Central Bank of Samoa.

“He’s the full-timer and I’m the part-timer but full-time mom,” she added with a laugh.

Pastor Eric said he did not envision starting a church early and admits feeling a bit scared, but says God put it in his heart to take this calling.

The couple trained to become pastors at the Rhema Bible Training College and the Apia Harvest Centre.

The C3 Church is a branch of the C3 Church in Australia and other parts of the world.

The locally-run church initially opened its doors on March 22 but the onset of the S.O.E. made it difficult for them to get on with the launching of the ministry. And when churches across Samoa reopened on May 3 after a six-week closure, the C3 Church had their first service at the Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi in Sogi.

Pastor Eric and Pastor Erema said they are “excited” to embark on their new journey of service to God.

 “This is the highest calling,” added Pastor Erema.