Around the World: House to House in American Samoa, 51 baptisms in Cuba and more quick takes
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Around the World is our monthly rundown of news briefs, links and quotes from Churches of Christ all over the globe. Got an idea for this column? Email Erik Tryggestad at [email protected].
Featured photo (above): Konstantin Zhigulin leads his song “My God and King” at the Memorial Road Church of Christ in Oklahoma City.
AMERICAN SAMOA
TAFUNA — Christians in the United States’ southernmost territory learned to conduct one-on-one Bible studies during a House to House School of Evangelism seminar. The Lupelele Church of Christ hosted the event, which included participants from the Mountain Side and the Nu’uuli Churches of Christ.
The school is a ministry of House to House, Heart to Heart, an evangelistic publication based in East Ridge, Tenn. Tagiilima Esene, minister for the Honolulu Church of Christ in Hawaii, introduced the program to American Samoa.
“I truly did not want it to conclude,” said Luaao Soli Jr., minister for the Lupelele church. “There are numerous valuable insights that the church needs to acquire regarding effective soul-winning.”
Tagiilima Esene and Luaao Soli Jr.
CUBA
PALMA SORIANO — A Church of Christ in this small city in southern Cuba experienced 51 baptisms during 2025, minister Bryan Gonzalez said. The congregation works with Gospel Chariot/Gospel Share Missions, a global ministry that trains Christians to disciple and produce self-replicating churches.
RUSSIA
ST. PETERSBURG — The Psalom Project recently celebrated 20 years of congregational music ministry, founder and composer Konstantin Zhigulin said.
“Psalom” is a transliteration of the Russian word for Psalm. The ministry produces hymns — in English and Russian — using biblical texts including “My God and King” based on Psalm 84 and “In the Shadow of Your Wings” based on Psalm 63. The ministry provides videos and sheet music on its website, psalomgroup.ru. The Cole Mill Road Church of Christ in Durham, N.C., collects funds for the work.
“We believe these ancient texts contain a priceless treasure for all time,” Zhigulin said, “and we strive to make them resonate in the musical language of our time, while preserving the traditions of academic musical harmony.”
UKRAINE
TERNOPIL — Ukraine continues to endure “widespread destruction, long power outages and disruptions to water and heating in many cities,” minister Alexander Kolosha said. The circumstances present ministry challenges “far removed from what we would consider a normal life.
“Yet, we have endured, we continue to persevere, and we enter the new year with hope.”
Alexander and Olya Kolosha
Kolosha and his wife, Olya, serve a Church of Christ in Ternopil in western Ukraine, where thousands of Ukrainians have fled during the nearly four-year-old Russian invasion. The couple recently hosted a support session for those displaced from their homes. “This time, more people joined, including both regular participants and newcomers,” Alexander Kolosha said. “Once again, Olya brought positive energy, a friendly atmosphere and heartfelt conversation to the gathering. As usual, the event was accompanied by aromatic tea and treats.”
