Contact: Rachel Elwood, Media Relations, World Gospel Mission, 765-671-7255, mediarelations@wgm.org 

MEDIA ADVISORY, Aug. 25 /Christian Newswire/ -- Christian Union Church on St. Croix, part of a ministry of World Gospel Mission, has been working on a new church building to provide a home base for outreach activities. But the project has been repeatedly hit by setbacks and invites others to become partners in the effort to reach out to the community on St. Croix.

The church now meets in a 20 x 40 foot basement, which is the only completed part of the new building.

"The goal is to reach this community with the love of Christ. The lack of useable space is really limiting Christian Union Church's ability to do that," says Tim Rickel, vice president of Development at World Gospel Mission. "Visitors will come to check out the church, but they often leave because the cramped space is uncomfortable."

Ned and Verdan Prince, missionaries on St. Croix, agree, noting that finishing the church building is not the end goal. "It is only the setting of the stage to take us to the next level."

Despite having the appearance of a tropical paradise, complete with waving palm trees and white sandy beaches, the communities on St. Croix face many challenges. Modern Crucians struggle with hopelessness, apathy, prejudice, lack of identity, and a spiritual void. The tourism industry brings jobs and wealth but also contributes to a rapidly disintegrating family structure.

"The ministry team at Christian Union Church is striving to address these challenges through friendship evangelism, children's and youth outreach, and sports evangelism," said Rickel.

The ministry team plans to use local labor to finish the building but still needs the resources to get useable building materials. To learn more about how you can help, visit www.wgm.org.  

About World Gospel Mission
World Gospel Mission disciples believers to become missions-active Christians. As an interdenominational missionary organization, WGM partners with individuals, small groups, college groups, and churches to intentionally address the physical and spiritual needs of individuals and communities. Learn more here.