St. Martin

The island itself is not large, only 43 km2, 28.5 mi2. However, the island is divided into two sides, the French side and the Dutch side. The capitol of the French half is Marigot. The capitol of the Dutch half is Philipsburg. The border between these two halves, representing two countries, is a stone obelisk and sign. No border guard or check points are present. The two sides truly have a special relationship. The total population of the island in 1999 was at 75,000. Average temperatures are between 66-88 degrees F with temperatures hardly ever above 90.

Politically, the island is a part of the European Union. The French portion of the island is governed as part of France and the Dutch side as part of the Netherlands. Both have all the same governmental standards and regulations as other European countries. This includes building and fire codes/regulations, legal matters and even currency. Most places will accept U.S. dollars. And even with the European underpinnings of the cultures there is a distinct Caribbean flare making St. Martin truly a special place.

The Church of the Nazarene
The Church of the Nazarene in St. Martin began in 1994 on the French side of the island in the capitol city of Marigot. The founding pastor, Jean François Larevoir, began the work of the church in a rented facility, paid for by the local congregation, and then decided to start a second work in the interior of the island. The second location at Quartier d'Orléans is also a rental property paid for by the local congregation. It took more than six years for the first property to be purchased for the Church of the Nazarene in St. Martin. Final papers were signed in September of 2001. This property is a definite answer to prayer, made possible through a miraculous donation, and now allows the church to begin plans for their own church building.

Below: A video telling a partial history of how the Nazarene Church built its first permanent building in St. Martin.

Click here to see pictures of the completed church building that was dedicated in April 2007. Thanks to all who came and worked alongside the brothers and sisters in St. Martin.

Sources:
Parker, J. Fred. Mission to the World: A History of Missions in the Church of the Nazarene through 1985. Nazarene Publishing House, Kansas City, MO, 1988.
Dr. Terry Ketchum