Bruce Thorn, Maranatha board member and supporter, along with Kenneth Weiss, Maranatha's executive vice president, directed the first in a series of four groups to the Galapagos island of Santa Cruz to build an education/evangelist center during the Christmas season.
Dan McCulloch, Medford Church senior pastor, his wife Mary, and Brad Owen, church member, were privileged to be a part of this group of more than 50 individuals, including 20 young people. McCulloch served as spiritual leader, and everyone helped lay brick for the building and outer perimeter wall. In addition to the building project, the group held a Vacation Bible School, attended by more than 100 children.
Santa Cruz, with a predominately Catholic presence and home to the Charles Darwin Center, also has a thriving Seventh-day Adventist presence. Presently there is a K–12 school with 270 students, only 40 of which are Adventist. The new evangelistic/education center will not only alleviate the overcrowding problem at the present school, but will be another tool for the spreading of the gospel.
One of the highlights of the trip for McCulloch was baptizing 14-year-old Graeme Thorn, who he dedicated as a child at the South Salem Church.
When the team finished their days of work, they enjoyed a four-day cruise visiting some of the surrounding islands.
More than 50 volunteers travel to Galapagos to begin construction of an education/evangelistic center.
More than 100 children attend Vacation Bible School.
