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The Congregational Christian Church of Tuvalu (Tuvaluan: ''Te Ekalesia Kelisiano Tuvalu'', EKT) is the de facto state church of Tuvalu, the only established church in the Reformed tradition in the world.〔(Tuvalu )〕 Its adherents comprise about 97% of the 12,000 inhabitants of the archipelago, and theologically it is part of the Reformed tradition.〔 ==History== Christianity first came to Tuvalu in 1861 when Elekana, a deacon of a Congregational church in Manihiki, Cook Islands became caught in a storm and drifted for eight weeks before landing at Nukulaelae.〔Laumua Kofe, Palagi and Pastors, ''Tuvalu: A History'', Ch. 15, U.S.P. & Tuvalu (1983)〕 Elekana began proselytising Christianity. He was trained at Malua Theological College, a London Missionary Society school in Samoa, before beginning his work in establishing the Church of Tuvalu. In 1865, the Rev A. W. Murray of the London Missionary Society – a Protestant congregationalist missionary society – arrived as the first European missionary where he too proselytised among the inhabitants of Tuvalu. By 1878, Christianity was well-established with preachers on each island. At the end of the 19th century, the ministers of what became the Church of Tuvalu were predominantly Samoans, who influenced the development of the Tuvaluan language and the music of Tuvalu.〔 In 1969, the Church acquired its independence from the LMS, since which time it has sent some missionaries to serve Tuvaluan migrants in Fiji, New Zealand, Hawaii, Australia, and the Marshall Islands.〔(www.unitingworld.org.au/about/our-overseas-partners/the-pacific/the-congregational-christian-church-of-tuvalu/ )〕 The former Governor-General of Tuvalu, Rev Sir Filoimea Telito, presided most recently over the Church until his death in July 2011.〔("The Rev. Filoimea Telito passed away" ), Tuvalu News, 22 July 2011〕 The Church currently publishes a bulletin in the Tuvaluan and English languages. Currently the president of the church is Reverend Penitusi Taeai and the seceretary general is Rev. Tafue Lusama. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Church of Tuvalu」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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