The 36th General Assembly of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (CCCAS) is set to convene from July 12 to July 24, 2026, at the church’s headquarters in Kanana Fou, American Samoa.  More than 600 delegates, representing over 100 member churches located across the United States, New Zealand, Australia, and American Samoa will gather in fellowship, discernment, and prayer.

The Assembly will convene under the theme, “God Takes Residence in Creation”—a profound theological affirmation drawn from Psalms 24:1: “The earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it…” This theme calls the Church to recognize creation not merely as a resource to be used, but as God’s dwelling place—entrusted to humanity with reverence, responsibility, and love. It reminds us that the natural world is woven into God’s own life; therefore, any threat to creation is a threat to the wellbeing of God’s household.

This theme arises in direct response to the growing tension surrounding seabed mining activities currently taking place near the shores of American Samoa. Scientific uncertainty, ecological risk, and the potential for irreversible harm to ocean ecosystems have raised deep concern among the people of American Samoa and across the Pacific.  For the CCCAS—and for all Pacific people whose identity, culture, and spirituality are inseparable from the ocean—this issue is not merely environmental; it is cultural, ethical, and above all, spiritual. (Read more)