In 2021, Mark and Rene Perkins moved to Tahiti as missionaries, establishing Evanelia Tahiti: organized to assist the people of French Polynesia in the Great Commission of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through education. Every level and type of education may be in view, from the kitchen table or Sunday school class to the highest levels of university training. – evanelia.org
While in Tahiti, Amber and I had an amazing time meeting and serving with Christians in the South Pacific through ministry opportunities such as Operation Christmas Child , Weekday Bible Studies, evangelism resource support, and a small women’s group on the Island of Moorea. I learned about Tahitian culture, the primary languages (Tahitian & French), transportation needs between the 118 island archipelago, and the history of Christianity on these islands. I learned that the first and last translation of the Tahitian Bible was written in 1800s and that the most prominent religions on the islands are Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witness.
It has been special to have the opportunity to visit the ministry in the beginning and see the projects started, including: a new Tahitian Bible translation, a digital Tahitian Bible (the only one available is the Jehovah Witness’ version), and working towards establishing a possible Bible college on the island. There are extensive educational needs as the only high school in the country is on the main island of Tahiti . I can’t wait to see what doors the Lord might open for Evanelia. On our last night in Tahiti, we were all talking about Acts 1:8 where Jesus mentions to those with Him, “And you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”. Mark then started sharing how in regards to the distance between Jerusalem and Pape’ete, Tahiti – we genuinely were in the ends of the earth, enjoying fellowship with believers here. It was so encouraging to think about how the gospel has touched lives everywhere around the globe. Please keep the Perkins and Tahiti in your prayers.