Pastor Bud Carroll leaving Saipan

Rev. Ewing W. Carroll Jr., more popularly known as Pastor Bud, is leaving Saipan this week to return to Hong Kong. He retired last July as pastor of Immanuel United Methodist Church. He will be living on Lamma Island, a 2.5 square mile Mediterranean-like island of 6,000 residents; no roads or motorized vehicles and almost as many boonie dogs as on Saipan.

Pastor Bud and his wife Millie came to Saipan in July 2003 to serve at IUMC. When asked for some of the highlights of his time there, Pastor Bud replied, “The weekly average worship attendance grew from 20 to 65; further development of children’s Sunday school, including specialized training of teachers; continued outreach of United Methodist Women; organization of a United Methodist Men’s group; and successful negotiations with the CNMI government to lease the Chalan Kanoa Community Center for worship and community outreach.”

As for the special activities he is most proud of, Pastor Bud noted, “When Millie Carroll represented IUMC at the CNMI legislative hearings on same-sex marriage. The United Methodist Church’s motto is ‘Open Hands, Open Hearts and Open Doors.’ In the face of considerable religious hostility, Millie reminded listeners that God doesn’t make mistakes. People’s sexuality comes by virtue of God’s creative. Our church openly welcomes people of all sexual orientations. We believe faithfulness in a marital relationship is more important than gender.”

Pastor Bud continued, “For many churches, taking such a stance would have meant loss of membership. However, IUMC gained members because of our openness to people of varied diversities. Gothic churches were built to look like a ship. Well, the church as people resides in God’s boat, not our own and God wants everyone to get aboard!”

Like many Saipan churches, IUMC’s members come from many nationalities. Prior to his retirement Pastor Bud noted IUMC’s participants included people from China, Japan, Korea, Fiji, Canada, Philippines, Thailand and the U.S.

IUMC was founded in the mid-1990s to provide worship and witness to people from the more traditional Protestant mainline churches. The church has always maintained a strong combination of worship, evangelism and social service. IUMC’s United Methodist Women are well known for their periodic bazaars, with proceeds going to purchase layette sets for new mothers. IUMC has also generously responded to emergency needs for survivors of earthquakes, typhoons and other natural disasters. Previously the church’s annual Christmas offering helped provide scholarships for children from China’s poor mountainous regions; relief for children survivors of natural disasters in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malawi; and physical, spiritual and emotional support for children survivors of the war in Iraq.

During his time on island Pastor Bud, himself a cancer survivor, was an active member of the Commonwealth Cancer Association. He was one of several men living in the CNMI to participate in a video regarding prostate cancer. He also previously served as chair of the Long Term Recovery Committee, a group of government, religious and other community leaders working to provide emergency assistance for persons not qualified for government disaster relief and assistance.

A native of Florida, Pastor Bud and his former wife Millie Carroll spent 25 years as United Methodist missionaries in Hong Kong. He also served 12 years as a mission secretary with his denomination’s General Board of Global Ministries. During that time he was director of The United Methodist China Program and coordinated United Methodism’s involvement in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

While sad to be leaving, he said, “I have loved my work here, the beauty of the people and wonderful weather, and the more laid-back friendly island atmosphere.”

He added, “These are truly difficult times. However I believe that gradually, as people strive to work together, the CNMI will be a stronger, more resilient, caring and loving community of diverse people.”

Any regrets? “Yes. A public peeve: I wish the current administration would be more proactive in promoting legislation to forbid smoking in public places, especially restaurants. Like everyone else, I wish we could enjoy better medical facilities; a healthier economic situation; lower power and gasoline rates; and a more reliable power supply.” Asked about recent federal legislation affecting the CNMI, Pastor Bud noted,” I welcome it! But I’m not sure Washington is any wiser or smarter than the people of the CNMI. However the legislation means the days of narrow nepotism and cronyism are over. People will now have to secure employment based more on what they know instead of who they know in high-ranking places.”

Pastor Bud also expressed deep appreciation for the many foreign contract workers who continue to contribute so much to the development of the CNMI. He also expressed appreciation for the growing number of young people interested in volunteer and community service. ‘We are blessed to have so many youth, both local and foreign, who are finding joy and satisfaction in helping others.”

Asked about religion in the CNMI, Pastor Bud replied, “While predominately a Catholic Island, Saipan enjoys a diversity of religious practices. No one religion should have more favored status. In addition to the majority Catholic population, there are numerous and differing Protestant churches as well as faithful adherents of Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and the Baha’i faith.”

“All these,” he noted, “add to the rich rainbow flavor of life in our part of Micronesia.”

Interested persons may communicate with Pastor Bud at budcarroll@hotmail.com. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]