Samoans worship in DC with Katinas by ists Special to Samoa News The first weekend of this month marked one of the most remarkable times in the history of the Samoan Community Christian Church of Washington, DC as they hosted the Katinas of international fame in contemporary Christian music. Sons of Samoa who have evangelized not only in the United States in the past two decades and other countries of the world with their melodies and sweet praises of God, made a stop in the small Samoan church while in the nation's capital on Saturday, March 1. Invited musical guests at the Pentagon Prayer Breakfast on Friday, Feb. 29, the Katinas had made arrangements through their road manager, Niel Otineru, to connect with the Samoan congregation in DC. that worships in the Old Post Chapel in Fort Myer, Va., near Arlington Cemetery. Samoans of all faiths and from great distances made the effort to attend the special church service where Katinas led worship and gave their testimonies of the Lord's goodness in their lives and shared the Vision of their Samoa Missions work. Samoan native Valerie Truncale, long-time resident of the capital area, married to Air Force man, Joseph, said, "I left Samoa many years ago but just to hear our people worship together in our native tongue and hear our young people preach the Word in such a powerful way, takes me right back to our island home and the impact God has in our lives." It was the same spirit that caused Frank Poyer and his wife Kathy to make the long trek from Raleigh, N.C., to be with his people and to witness young Samoan brothers dispense the Word in contemporary terms that encouraged Frank's faith. A born-again Christian who gave his life to Jesus many years ago, Frank is a high school teacher in Raleigh and has given his full support to the Katinas mission to win the young people of Samoa for God's kingdom. "Many of us can't go back to American Samoa and preach to our young kids and let them know that a life with Jesus is the right path that will lead to fulfillment and success," said Poyer. "But if we can support our brothers, the Katinas, financially and prayerfully, we know God can do miracles for our Youth and our island home." During the service, there was an opportunity for everyone in the audience to make personal pledges on their own and voluntarily commit to help the Katinas in their hope to return home to American Samoa this coming September to continue with the "Rock the Rock" tour of 2007. Poyer's brother Jacob and his wife Lynn and their son, was another Samoan family who traveled quite a distance to attend the 'Sauniga Lotu' on the military post; Jacob is in the Navy and is stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, a 4-hour drive to Washington, DC. Tepora D. Beckman, another Samoan sister stationed in nearby Portsmouth, Virginia traveled about the same distance as Jacob Poyer and his family. Tepora explained, "I was inspired by the Holy Spirit for the love of our Samoan people, people of God. Supporting the Katinas, who are called and ordained by God to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ not only in the United States, around the world but especially to bring a fresh new anointing and encouragement to our people back home in American Samoa. That to me is the real mission of our lives, whether be it in the military like us, in civilian life, or whatever calling - we are to bring souls to Christ!" Accompanying Tepora was November Jackson who lives in Woodbridge, Virginia with her children who were thrilled to meet the Katinas and fellowship with them. The children are Natashya, Cache, Conrado and Salofi. Another great treat for many of the Samoan DC church members was seeing their "Uncle Bob" Chief Toaalii, Robert Palmer of the Lutu-Siavii family of Fagatogo who has made his home in Maryland for over four decades with his family. Chief Palmer served in the Air Force and is well-known at Andrews Air Force Base. With him at the Samoan church, were his daughters Wendy and Pamela and his son-in-law, married to Palmer's eldest daughter who pastors a church in New York and came especially to bring his two young sons to hear the Katinas lead the worship service. The Palmer grandchildren, visibly attentive throughout the time of praise listened to a message preached by Joe Katina, drummer of the group, on three simple steps. (1) Forget what is in the past; (2) Move forward, press onward; (3) Be in it, to win it! Introduced during the service and an integral part of the Katinas' vision of Samoa Missions was their dear cousin and close brother in the Lord, Terenuku "Terry" Tofaeono, whose parents Dr. Victor and A'ano Tofaeono reside in American Samoa and were instrumental in helping the Katinas 2007 Tour. Terry and his wife Tina attend church in Annapolis, Maryland whose faith members helped sponsor a medical team that traveled to the territory with the Katinas last summer. While greeting Pastor To'alepai of the Samoan Church who knows of Terry's grandfather, Rev. Dr. Bert Williams Tofaeono of LMS/CCCAS fame, Toalepai was blessed to hear that Terry, a former senior manager of Southwest Airlines had given up his entire career with just four years until retirement to go full-time in the ministry. The Samoan Pastor declared, "In this life, once you become saved and commit your life to Christ, everything else seems unimportant. All the material things and wealth of this world is meaningless because you know God will provide for your every need and I know God will bless Terry and his wife, for being obedient to the Call." At the closing of the awesome Samoan gathering of worship, Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin was introduced for a few remarks and a special presentation to the Katinas for their extensive service not just in the ministry but for being great ambassadors of Samoa to the U.S. and the world. Faleomavaega was moved as he explained the humble beginnings of the five brothers, children of Pastor Mose Katina and the late Siai Toilolo-Aumavae Katina who grew up in Pago Pago and Vaitogi, and worshipped in the Leone Miracle Assembly of God Church for years. Their dream was to serve God in their music, and for kids raised in the islands, God made it possible because they believed. © Osini Faleatasi Inc. dba Samoa News reserves all rights.