We Welcome Our New Pastor, Rev. Afuhia Akolo

A Tongan by origin, born August 28, 1948, he has been married to Salote 'Akolo for almost 38 years. They have 5 children, and 6 grandchildren.



He immigrated to the USA in 1972, to attend school and to find a job, to help out his family and relatives in Tonga. He attended schools in Hawaii for his undergraduate studies. He never wanted to become a pastor, but on Dec 31, 1980 he felt the grace and love of God changed his life, and turned him around to become a stronger Christian. He did listen to his call, if you may, to become one.

He used to live in Concord, 1978 - 1996, before he moved to the seminary at Berkeley. In 1984, with 13 other people, he started the Concord Tongan United Fellowship that became the Martinez United Methodist Church Tongan Language ministry. He did his pastoral training at Claremont Theological Seminary and Pacific School of Religion, in Berkeley. He is an ordained elder in the UMC, and served at Cal/Nev Conference since 1990. Martinez UMC is his 4th church appointment.

He is very happy to serve at the Martinez UMC and the Martinez Tongan Language ministry, which is part of the Martinez UMC; hoping to strengthen the faith of the congregation and all people in Jesus Christ their Lord; and to help others recognizing the congregation as a multi-cultural organization working together with everyone in making disciples for Jesus Christ, and the transformation of the world. He believes that the church is for all people, of ethnicity, color, race, beliefs and so on. He also believes that the church is not for Holy people, but a gathering place for sinners trying to perfect or progress their lives into godly ways. His pastoral service is not only to church members, but to all people.

Services for Summer 2009 start at 9:30 am and 10:30 am during the rest of the year. Everyone is invited, and is welcome.

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