United Church of Chist Bismarck, you are welcome here
Our church is about unity, fellowship, and service ...
Come and join us in the celebration of Christ. You are welcome regardless of your age, race, ability, marital status, economic circumstances, sexual orientation, or number of times you have been born.
The Long Haul
In a world of short attention spans, nothing captures headlines for very long.
The Bismarck United Church of Christ is a leader in global mission and ministry through its work in East Timor. East Timor occupies one-half of a small island located approximately 400 miles north of Australia. The country is one of the poorest nations on earth. For nearly five hundred years, East Timor was a Portuguese colony. Then in 1975, an invasion by the Indonesian military resulted in a 24-year occupation marked by genocide. Approximately one-third of the population died during this period through direct military action against them, or through mass starvation as the Indonesian army prevented farmers from planting or harvesting crops. In 1999, the United Nations sponsored a referendum on independence East Timor. In response, Indonesian-backed militia destroyed over 80% of the country’s buildings and infrastructure, and killed untold numbers of people. The violence ended with the arrival of a United Nations Peacekeeping Force. In May of 2002, East Timor finally gained independence and became the world’s newest country. Bismarck UCC works closely with the Common Global Ministries Board of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and with the Protestant Church of East Timor. After gaining independence our Timorese partners have asked for our assistance with a village education program to bring both academic and technical instruction to rural children who lack educational opportunities. The first phase of school construction is currently underway. We hope to begin formal instruction later in 2006. The emphasis will be upon knowledge and skills that will help improve village life. This project is enthusiastically endorsed by East Timor’s Minister of Education, by church officials and, most importantly, by the villagers themselves. The Victoria and Tasmania Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia and the Uniting Church in the Netherlands are also partners in this project.
To obtain more information or to support the project, please call the church at (701)223-2915.
History of East Timor in History
Google Earth Link to East Timor. This link required the free Google Earth program be installed on your computer.
The Bismarck United Church of Christ is a leader in global mission and ministry through its work in East Timor. East Timor occupies one-half of a small island located approximately 400 miles north of Australia. The country is one of the poorest nations on earth. For nearly five hundred years, East Timor was a Portuguese colony. Then in 1975, an invasion by the Indonesian military resulted in a 24-year occupation marked by genocide. Approximately one-third of the population died during this period through direct military action against them, or through mass starvation as the Indonesian army prevented farmers from planting or harvesting crops. 
Bismarck UCC works closely with the Common Global Ministries Board of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and with the Protestant Church of East Timor. After gaining independence our Timorese partners have asked for our assistance with a village education program to bring both academic and technical instruction to rural children who lack educational opportunities. 
