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Until this year, Alaska had four United Church of Christ congregations. Now it has five. The new congregation, Christian Worship Center, UCC, in Anchorage has attracted 350 young people, according to the Rev. Va’a Alaelua, pastor of the church.
The church was one of 19 congregations celebrated at the denomination’s General Synod on July 12 in Kansas City for being "new and renewing." Christian Worship Center joined the UCC’s Pacific Northwest Conference in April 2024, and Alaelua was ordained by the conference in February 2025.
“The congregation is growing exponentially,” Alaelua told UCC News. In May 2025, 350 young people attended the church’s first youth gathering, and some are now bringing their parents to services.
People from various Christian backgrounds, including Catholic, Pentecostal, Congregationalist, Methodist and Seventh Day Adventist traditions, are joining Christian Worship Center. The church is located in a predominantly Pacific Islander neighborhood and runs a ministry called Northern Lights Food Share that reaches out to homeless individuals monthly. The church is also involved in justice efforts concerning police-involved violence.
Alaelua spoke about the challenges faced by the community in Alaska. “In just the last six months three of our youth were killed by police officers,” he said. One incident involved a young Samoan girl with mental health issues who was shot by police after she was seen holding a knife.
Families affected by these incidents are now part of the church community. “We are trying to help them and comfort them in their seasons of grieving,” Alaelua stated. The church participates in local justice initiatives related to these matters.
When searching for a denomination to join, Alaelua found the UCC's acceptance unique. “The UCC was the only one that said yes: we accept you the way you are," he expressed emotionally. "The UCC is home for me now.”
Other new and renewing churches were also celebrated on July 12 at the General Synod event.
Additionally, recent recipients of CASA New and Rebirthing Church Grants were acknowledged during the synod. These grants provide coaching and financial support to help UCC-affiliated faith communities achieve sustainability.
