Alaskan Missionary Family Wraps Up Orthodox Church Project in South Pacific

Celebrating the Feast of St. George - the parish's patronal feast - during Bright Week. Photo: Orthodox Christian Mission Center

TONGA — After three-and-a-half years of missionary service in Tonga, an Orthodox Christian family from Eagle River, Alaska, is concluding their work on the nearly completed St. George Orthodox Church in Nuku’alofa. Michael and Meghan Jones, along with their four children, arrived in 2022 to support the mission efforts of the Metropolis of New Zealand under the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Michael, a building contractor, led major construction efforts on the church, overseeing the completion of the exterior, chapel frescoes, icon installations, and property renovations. The family also helped develop essential infrastructure, including a rainwater system, retaining walls, and landscaping.

With the help of three Greek workers, the church is expected to have its structural work done in July. A chapel dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul was also completed, and the parish house was renovated, painted, and furnished.

Beyond construction, the Joneses contributed to cultural outreach by helping translate Orthodox services and prayers into the Tongan language with the help of a Tongan catechumen. The mission was supported by nearly 200 donors through the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC).

While the Jones family discerned not to continue into the next phase of long-term community building, the Metropolis is now seeking a permanent priest to lead the growing Orthodox presence in Tonga.

For more information about OCMC or to make a donation, visit here. A full post from OCMC detailing the Jones' family's time in Tonga can be found here.

Read also