Missionary Information

Vanuatu, formerly known as the New Hebrides, is an archipelago of some 80 islands, lying between New Caledonia and Fiji in the South Pacific. The islands served as a major base of the Allies in World War II. The economy is based primarily on subsistence or small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for 65% of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism are other mainstays of the economy. Two powerful earthquakes, which were followed by tsunamis, caused extensive damage to the northern island of Pentecote in November 1999 and to the capital, Port-Vila, in January 2002. The United Pentecostal Church of Vanuatu exists because former missionary Jesse McKinnerney was able to lead James Skatur, a Trinitarian Pentecostal pastor, to a revelation of the oneness of God and to baptize him in Jesus’ name in the late 1970s. In spite of strong opposition, Pastor Skatur stood firm for his newfound truth. The United Pentecostal Church of Vanuatu now has 2,090 constituents, 44 churches and preaching points, and 61 licensed national ministers.

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Bio: Mike and Lisa Long received their missionary appointment to Vanuatu in October 2001. He pastored a daughter work of Christian Outreach Center, Houston, Texas, before he and his wife went to Botswana in 1996 to labor as associates in missions with Tim and Carolyn Simoneaux. After completing his Bachelor of Science degree in 1999, another AIM assignment took the Longs to Vanuatu in the South Pacific. He stated, “Since we have been in Vanuatu, we have had the opportunity to go into areas that do not have churches and get the ball rolling to establish a church in their community. We have done this through crusades and home Bible Studies. In one area we have had over 30 in a Bible study. We have been asked to start three churches in different villages and are praying that God will send pastors to these areas.”