Finding a space large enough for a community event continues to be a challenge for the Marshallese community in Dubuque, Iowa. There continues to be fewer spaces available as the pandemic drags on. The more than 2,000 Marshallese that live in Iowa, in the city centers of Dubuque, Waterloo and Ottumwa, are finding new spaces to come together in community. In Dubuque, eight Marshallese churches serve the more than 800 Marshallese that live there. The Dubuque Paradise Assembly of God, led by Pastor Stan Samson since 2015, has had a significant presence since 2003. They are blessed to own their own building for worship downtown. Through a non-profit organization and in close association with the Pacific Islander Health Project, Assembly of God ministers to many of the needs in the community. Celebrating Christmas at the Grand River Center, it was packed with more than 500 people. They announced that they raised $200,000. There was some concern when Pastor Emerald collapsed and went to the ER. The UCC Protestant church uses shared spaces at King Chapel and Dubuque Marshallese New Hope with the Knights of Columbus. The other two churches, Full Gospel and Pentecostal, traveled out of town to join other celebrations in Indiana and Arkansas. The Marshallese congregation with the Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) celebrated earlier in the afternoon hosting guests from Waterloo. They then visited the other celebrations to make their dances along with the other jeptas. All the jeptas shared their dances and a great time was had by all.
