Pacific Connector - Sep Oct 2016

Pacific CONNECTOR HAWAII PACIFIC BAPTIST CONVENTION

Let them give glory to the Lord and proclaim His praise in the islands.

Isaiah 42:12

76TH ANNUAL MEETING

November 17 & 18

2016 | volume 46, issue 4 | Sep Oct

from the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Aloha Kākou, Chris Martin

Executive Director & Editor

Throughout our churches in the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention, we have experienced an incredible summer of missions and ministry.

Reports from across our convention are sharing news about exciting weeks of Vacation Bible Schools and sports camps, associational student camps, mission teams traveling the globe and more. God is truly at work in us, through us and around us.

group for Christ, the strategy will form the steps to proceed. Anything that does not conform to the vision is out of place in the strategy.

God desires for us to structure steps of implementation to give function to a strategic plan. Without clear direction in implementing the strategy, our efforts can become fruitless as we wander, searching to fulfill the heart of the vision. A proper course of implementation will inspire as it attains the goals for the vision, showing God at work in us to fulfill His desires.

With the momentum of the summer events, we need to intentionally prepare for the months ahead. Many of us have heard the old adage, “If God desires for us to evaluate continually to you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” My prayer is that we would not fail to plan a steady avenue of keep us on the right track, always checking our progress against the vision and strategy.

Kingdom work.

As we find shortcomings or waywardness from As a student of spiritual leadership, I learned the plans of implementation, we must work four stages of planning that I still use today: to make our adjustments on the strategic Vision – Strategy – Implementation – Evaluation. level. Be cautious to recognize that improper These four work in a coordinated flow, taking adjustments on the implementation level can the amazing view from God’s perspective and often become a quick fix or patch that slowly translating it into a framework that we can moves us away from the strategy. communicate to others to understand and As we consider this, be reminded that God has follow. an unbelievable vision of Kingdom life for you God desires for us to have a vision to pursue His and your ministry. Your HPBC resource team plan for our ministries. Some fall into the trap is always ready to assist you in any area of of a broad, general vision that has no possibility ministry that you may develop. Do not hesitate of intentional direction or the restrictive vision to call on us or speak with us as we spend that hinders forward movement. Vision has to be time together. Our goal in ministry is to help transformed into a structure for growth, known maximize your ministry! as strategy.

Remember: We are always better together! We God desires for us to have a strategy that takes are the HPBC! the God-given vision and reveals the shape and Aloha in Christ, form of the future plans. For example, if a vision Chris is to reach a particular community or people

hpbaptist.net The Pacific Connector magazine highlights people and churches working to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ by reaching the Pacific region.

This publication is provided online, free of charge and is available at: hpbaptist.net/pacificconnector

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Hawaii Pacific

Executive Director Editor Chris Martin chris@hpbaptist.net 808-356-8329 Associate Editor Faith McFatridge faith@hpbaptist.net 808-356-8326 Questions and Feedback: Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention 2042 Vancouver Drive Honolulu HI, 96822 Phone: 808-946-9581 Fax: 808-941-2309

Contributing Editor Brandon Pickett Design Patti Spencer

Contributors Debbie Lesley Darrell McCain Clyde Kaikiuchi Faith McFatridge Chris Martin Bong Abagon Teresa McCain

The Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention magazine was created exclusively for the HPBC by Innovative Faith Resources.

innovativefaith.org

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2016

www.hpbaptist.net

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4 DR Rebuilds in Saipan

5 The Sue Nishikawa Offering

6 Global Hunger

6 Huge Step to Early Education

7 Hard-Working

Fishermen

8 Hardly a Vacation

9 Beauty from Ashes

9 Around the SBC

10 North Carolina Volunteers

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11 Thoughts About the Hawaii Mission Trip

12 The Greatest Gift

13 So What Happened?

14 Around the Islands

14 New Managers at the Baptist Student Dorm Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention has new office hours. We are open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

www.HPbaptist.net

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DR

Rebuilds

inSaipan

by Darrell McCain, staff writer, Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention

“I feel very excited and very happy because for ten months I’ve been under the rain and finally, they came and they fixed my roof,” said Joe Larry Thomas of Kagman regarding the effort of the Disaster Relief Team from California. Larry was affected

by Typhoon Soudelor that hit Saipan in the fall of 2015.

“I was so sad and maybe I was gonna move out. That’s all I’ve been thinking ” continues Joe.

Brian Sutton, one of the volunteers of the California Disaster Relief team, describes their effort this way, “Disaster Relief (DR) is great…we feel as Christians and as Southern Baptists that one of our responsibilities, and believe it strongly, is to help people with their needs, to show love to people, to care about others and to care about our neighbors and DR is the one of the most tangible ways you can do that.”

year later there are still families that are without a roof, and without basic needs in their life” comments Billy Jones, pastor of Kagman Community Church and Church 360. It is estimated that still 200 homes are without a roof and the damage is evident.

Two other volunteers joined Brian to represent California DR. They also built a shower in the church to accommodate future volunteers. While other agencies are funded by FEMA to come and do the work, these individuals came in on their own money and monies raised through the church.

These Southern Baptist churches became the middle man between the relief group and the Red Cross and the Commonwealth Advocates of the Recovery Effort (CARE) as community comes to them and ask for help.

The church also helps provide housing and basic needs for the volunteer teams during their two week visit.

“We’re focusing on restoring people’s lives and getting people back up from the devastation Soudelor brought. Almost a

Now, Joe can sleep soundly. “For the first time in a year, Joe’s house will no longer be flooded even after a rain,” assures Pastor Billy Jones.

Bi-vocational Pastor Billy was able to go out and help the team and share Christ with the families.

If you and your church would like to send a team to work on homes in Saipan, please call Darrell McCain at: 808-356-8343 or email me at darrell@hpbaptist.net Church teams do not have to have Disaster Relief training but will need to have construction skills and knowledge. The CARE organization in Saipan will have all the supplies and most of the tools available for the team and house that will be worked on.

Remember, Hurricane season is now until the end of November, please be prepared.

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I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I might share in its blessings.

I Corinthians 9:22b-23 (NIV)

2016 SUE NISHIKAWA OFFERING for Hawaii Pacific Missions

Week of Prayer: September 4-10

Hawaii Pacific Goal: $115,000.00

Sue Nishikawa Offering for Hawaii Pacific Baptist Missions is to CHALLENGE all of us to follow Christ’s example: to step into the world, to cultivate relationships, and to create opportunities to demonstrate the love of Christ.

If your church gives to the offering, then your church can request funds to meet the needs around you. This is your opportunity to be creative and unique in the ways your church reaches the community around it. Come up with a plan to reach out and meet needs in your community, request an application form, complete it and send it to the HPBC office.

The State Missions Prayer Guide, which shows the daily prayer emphasis, lists major ministries that Sue Nishikawa offering supports.

Sep 4-10 Pray for: Sunday

Ourselves

Monday

Baptist Collegiate Ministry

Tuesday

Disaster Relief

Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

For more information and description for prayer guide, go to: hpbaptist.net/suenishikawaoffering

Sunday

Seafarers Care Crisis Pregnancy Center International Ministry Church Planters Hamama Outreach

www.HPbaptist.net

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Global Hunger In the New Testament,

James warns us that a faith without works is a dead faith. “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed or lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” (James 2:15) Words, even spiritual sounding words, aren’t enough. The gospel compels us to practical acts of mercy.

Almost 800 million people around the world live with constant hunger, and 1 in 6 in North America are undernourished and 48.1 million people live in food-insecure households. Through this unique partnership, 100% of your donations to Global Hunger Relief go toward meeting hunger needs.

Churches around the country will recognize Global Hunger Sunday

as a day of prayer and giving toward hunger needs on October 9, 2016.

RESOURCES: WEBSITE: http://globalhungerrelief.com/Sunday PRINT RESOURCES: http://globalhungerrelief.com/resources OFFERING ENVELOPES: http://globalhungerrelief.com/resources/view/hungeroffering-envelopes

Huge Step to Early Education SPOTLIGHT—Hawaii Baptist Early Education Association Conference

by Rebecca McGuire, preschool director at Olivet Baptist Preschool and Secretary for the HBEEA Executive Board

An opportunity for networking, great training, worship and fellowship

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Hawaii Pacific

“I feel refreshed and recharged when I attended the conference” “I walk away feeling a sense of support for the profession I know God has led me to.” These are few comments made by my staff about their experience at the Hawaii Baptist Early Education Association (HBEEA) Annual conference.

HBEEA provides, as a training resource for the 17 Southern Baptist Weekday Early Education Programs, (Preschool) an annual conference every Fall. The conference covers two days and took place, this year, at the Hawaii Prince Hotel on August 21 and 22, 2016. This year we welcomed Mary Rice Hopkins, as our keynote and primary speaker who provided a Christian concert, as well as teacher training. Mary Rice Hopkins is known as a premier Christian Children's recording artist for the past 30 years. In addition to keynote speakers, the conference featured 15 breakout sessions for

staff training in areas such as Biblically appropriate Bible lessons, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), classroom environments, and speech development.

There was a good balance of classroom training and Faith-based seminars offered in areas where teachers or staff may have needed training based on their strengths.

The conference fee included breakfast and lunch on both days.

I am thankful as a Southern Baptist Preschool Director to have a Christian Early Education Conference that provides an opportunity for my staff to network with other Christian Educators, as well as receive great training, worship and fellowship with other believers in the Body of Christ.

For more information and resources by HBEEA, please contact Clyde Kakiuchi at clyde@hpbaptist.net.

Hard-Working Fishermen RECEIVE MEDICAL CARE

by Clyde Kakiuchi, staff writer

“Thank you so much. We

are so grateful. There is no way we can repay for the medical services we have received.” These are the sentiments echoed by 225 fishermen from 45 different boats representing the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Pohnpei and Christmas Island.

In a conversation with his primary care physician, Pastor Jerry Saludez from the Waipio Baptist Church shared about the ministry to the fishermen who were primarily from the Philippines. His primary care physician (anonymous) visited the pier area where the fishing boats were docked and observed the interaction between the fishermen and local church members during worship, Bible Study and the fellowship meal.

After assessing the situation, Jerry’s compassionate primary care physician made a commitment to help the fishermen by offering free blood pressure checks and giving out over-the-counter medicine every Tuesday and Friday.

This is an invaluable service since the fishermen are restricted to the pier area where their boats are docked.

Seafarers Ministry Medical team in action

Since that initial visit in April 2016, the medical ministry has grown to two doctors and 6 medical students serving over 50 fishermen with blood pressure checks, diabetes screening and medicines. With the growth came the need for more tables, equipment and medicines to meet the growing demand.

Though the partnership with “At the Crossroads” Seafarers’ ministry, local churches, Shiraki Memorial Foundation and private donations, the fishermen were able to receive proper medical treatment.

When asked why she volunteered at the Seafarers’ Ministry, Shantel Pascual, one of the medical students replied, “As a pre-medical student, I found the medical outreach mission at the Seafarers’ Ministry to be an extraordinary opportunity for me to gain hands-on experience. However, as I spent more time with everyone in the ministry, especially our Filipino fishermen, I realized how much I genuinely enjoyed helping out every Tuesday and Friday nights. Not only do I love the joyful atmosphere filled with the word of God, but I also find it amazing how much our

There is no way we can repay you for the medical services we received. services can positively impact the hardworking fishermen.”

The result of the Seafarers’ ministry and the medical ministry is that both physical and spiritual needs were met.

Since January 2015 over 150 salvation decisions were made and 24 persons were baptized, including a security guard. Praise the Lord! Thank you to all who are involved in this rewarding ministry. If you would like to help or make a donation, please contact Pastor Jerry Saludez at pastorjerrysaludez@gmail.com God is indeed at work. Will you join Him in what He is doing?

“If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,’ but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself.

‘But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without works , and I will show you faith from my works.” James 2:15-18 (Holman Christian Standard Bible).

For more information or if you have creative ways to help this outreach, email Dr. Chris Evans of the Seafarers ministry at chris_r_ evans_2000@yahoo.com. www.HPbaptist.net

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From the Women’s Ministry Coordinator Teresa McCain

Hardly a Vacation

Acteens

Hannah, age 18, was curious if her students were getting it. Then one of the little girls pulled her aside and whispered into her ear a Bible verse she and her team had taught the kids earlier that week. “It was an astonishing moment” says Alma Leong, leader of one of the two Acteens group that worked with church plants.

Hannah’s team from California Acteens worked with church planters Ikaika and Stacey Higa of Hamama Community Church in Kahuluu. They were joined by the Mississippi Acteens who worked with church planters, Harlan and Dana Nakasone of Fellowship Community Church in Waipahu. They learned diverse culture and Hawaiian traditions like Taro patch farming and more significantly, they saw 15 salvation decisions during the week of VBS. Cindy Townsend’s Mississippi Acteens were blessed to see some of these children get baptized.

Hanson, age 18, observed that “these kids of the community have such innocent hearts and you could tell they just want to be loved on.”

It’s an uphill battle to do missions in Hawaii.

Some families thought they were helping raise money for vacation. “It was not that at all” says Kaira Pettway (17). “We were definitely taken out of our comfort zone, an experience I will keep with me,” says Xianne Clark (15).

Prayer is where this all starts. “I believe that we plan first and pray later and that is why things sometimes just don’t go right” Alma reiterates.

Almost seven months of prayer and preparation are what helped these teenagers in their spiritual task.

At the end of the week, an Acteens rally was held at the HPBC Chapel hosted by these two teams.

Girls from Oahu were invited. Jennifer Rivas, 14, observed its significance and said “we were able In addition to the time they spent leading VBS, the groups were able to attend worship and Bible to hang out and just talk with them which is study with the seafarers at the docks in Honolulu something they may not have the chance to do when they are at home.” Girls from Hawaii, ages Harbor. “It was just amazing watching God’s 12-17, need their own community. “Our hope word cross language barriers as the fishermen is that churches will be encouraged to start sang along and listened to the sermon,” Xianne Clark, age 15, remarks. The girls led the worship Acteens” writes Teresa McCain, new director of State WMU. time and shared a special song with motions.

The teams also joined the Oahu Baptist Network Youth Camp and ministered to the “Houseless Community” through a block party. Jazmine

To get more information or to start an Acteens group, just call Teresa McCain at 356-8343 in the HPBC office or email her, teresa@hpbaptist.net.

BEAUTY FROM ASHES: The Sarah Balabagan Story “Being born in Mindanao had its benefit,” she smiles. “I could have been the one dead,” remarked Sarah during a concert she did in Oahu.

The Filipino Southern Baptist Fellowship of the Pacific, Inc. (FSBFPI), in partnership with other churches and the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention, sponsored a concert in the Waipahu Community Center that drew over 300 people, out of which 105 decisions were made.

Only God

can make “beauty from ashes” (cf. Isaiah 61:3). Such is the story of Sarah Balabagan that captures people’s heart because of what she experienced.

Through her suffering and converting from Muslim to Christian, she now uses her story to point people to Jesus.

Sarah became a domestic helper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates at the young, tender age of 14. Her agents falsified her papers. On July 19, 1994, she killed her Arab employer in self-defense, who tried to rape her at knife-point.

The following year, Sarah's life was made into a big screen movie entitled “The Sarah Balabagan Story.”

Singing was her life and in no time, Sony Philippines produced her first album.

Despite how difficult it is to find a copy of the film, FSBFPI managed to produce a 15 minute clip and showed it in her Oahu concert. “It has to be done because pictures are worth a thousand words,” says Wilson Pascua, Chairman of the FSBFPI Executive Board. Maui, Guam, and Saipan followed suite and this 15-minute video became a prelude to all of her concert.

Sarah was sentenced to death by firing squad. There was an international protest against her sentence, even the UAE President, Sheikh Zayed, personally appealed for leniency. “The Lord, all along, was leading my life to something,” she shared Sarah brightens up as she excitingly. “I was introduced to contrasts a shift on her fate. a Pastor with whom I shared my “My sentence was commuted pain and humiliation, and as I eventually to one year imprisonment, 100 strokes of the tell him how I was whipped, tears began to flow from my eyes.” cane, and a $40,000 payment of blood money.”

Sarah continued, “At this point, the pastor lovingly explained to “I was whipped 20 strokes at me that Jesus bore my pain and a time over five consecutive it was then that I accepted Jesus days…in the same spot and could not sleep on my back or on as my Lord and Savior.” my side for over two months.”

Sarah became bold of her new faith despite knowing In 1996, she was released and she can no longer go back to returned to the Philippines and received a hero's welcome.

Sultan Kudarat, her hometown,

AROUND the SBC

because of the possibility of facing “honor killing.”

Being an evangelist by heart, Sarah sings praises to God and shares Jesus. “She realizes that her story is not an accident and that it has to be told,” comments Jun Serrano, husband of Sarah.

Together with Corban, their one year old son, they continue to tour places God opens to share her story and His story.

On April 24, Maui Philippine Baptist Church saw over 200 in attendance with 30 people coming forward to accept Christ.

On July 30, Saipan saw 60 responses and the next day, Guam’s Calvary Baptist Church had an overflow attendance, and 32 decisions for Christ.

Continue to pray for Sarah and her partnership with Southern Baptist churches. Many Filipinos are asking for her next concert.

“Help us pray that next time, Big Island and other islands get to experience her evangelical concert,” requests Wilson.

For information about possible future events, please call Wilson Pascua and the Filipino Association at (808) 479-0895.

Southern Baptist Convention

BATON ROUGE — Baptist DR volunteers witness power of community. The SBDR response now includes volunteers from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. At three locations, multi-state teams are serving.

Read More: https://www.namb.net/news/baptist-dr-volunteers-witness-power-of-community

EAST ASIA — Zeng Wa* is seeking to start gospel-centered conversations with Muslims in an East Asian city. She’s attending a training hosted by Christian workers on ways to effectively present the gospel to Muslims.

Read More: http://www.imb.org/updates/storyview-4515.aspx#.V7-vGJMrIck *name changed

FRONT LINES — When church planter Dustin Nimmo’s space got tight, he looked for a God-sized solution. (2) Chandler Horne wasn’t planning to plant until an opportunity rode into the most unlikely of places—a bike shop.

Read More: https://www.namb.net/send-network-blog/stories-from-the-frontlines

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North Carolina Volunteers HELP IN HAWAII

his year marks the eleventh year that Scott and Debbie Lesley have come to Hawaii. They don’t just come because they love Hawaii – and they do! They come because God has given them the opportunity to come to Hawaii to work. For free!

Scott and Debbie had been on mission trips before. Scott’s handyman skills and Debbie’s organization skills gave them the “mission trip” bug early in their married lives. So when the North Carolina Baptist Convention formed a partnership with the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention, partnership director Mark Abernathy called Scott to go and help with some needed tasks in Hawaii. No hesitation there.

by Faith McFatridge, staff writer

The North Carolina Baptist Convention has partnered with several state conventions and volunteer coordinators to make sure that their volunteers get needed information before going on the mission assignment. They are given instructions about the mission trip and a booklet about the history and culture of the area where they would be serving. Volunteers are also given a bright orange t-shirt specifically for the Hawaii-bound groups. (They are easy to spot at the airport).

The Lesleys have brought other friends and church members with them when they come to Hawaii every July. They have also brought their six grandchildren with them at various times. Debbie says, “the children know that it’s a mission The first job that Scott had was to demolish trip, but they gain so much about the and re-pour the cement sidewalk to culture of Hawaii and its people.” the Baptist Student director’s home located above the Convention’s office. He The idea of going to Hawaii on a mission brought some friends and accomplished trip is a “hard-sell” to many on the the task in one day to the amazement mainland, especially if they have never of the HPBC staff. Then the men tackled been to the islands. Comments like, “Going the cement stairs to the Baptist Student to Hawaii on a mission trip? Yeah, right!” dorm. Again, work done in one day.

But when they get here, they see the needs, Veryl Henderson, then HPBC Executive the lostness and the many opportunities to Director, knew he had a valuable North show Jesus’ love to those they meet.

Carolina asset and made sure that Four years ago, Scott invited his friend, there was plenty of work to be done.

Wesley Perry to come with them to Hawaii.

Wes and his wife, Wendy, have a door photo courtesy of Clyde Kakiuchi

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hanging business but like Scott, has learned a lot of different skills and is a licensed contractor. But Scott’s job for that summer was to re-tar the roof above the HPBC office. With the can-do spirit, the men got the job done. Even Clyde Kakiuchi got to handle the torch to melt the tar. That learning experience was short-lived when he burned Wes’ shoes. They still tease Clyde about it.

The next year, Debbie, Debbie’s granddaughters and Wendy got an assignment to conduct a Vacation Bible School with Halawa Heights Baptist Church’s Chuukese children. With only a weekend to prepare, the ladies were able to see over 30 children and their mothers participate in VBS. The kids really enjoyed the week. The Chuukese pastor, Jaffy Poll, was very grateful to the team for doing such a great job. Debbie and Wendy said their time at VBS was memorable because they could see the joy on the faces of the children as they sang the songs and made crafts with their moms.

Jerry Sulliban, HPBC business director, estimates that the North Carolina volunteers have been able to save the Convention an estimated $400,00 to $500,000 in labor costs. Scott and his team have renovated the Convention

photos courtesy of Clyde Kakiuchi

buildings and churches throughout Oahu with plumbing, flooring, shelving, walls, railings and other repairs. One year, Scott was asked to fly to Guam to do repairs at the association’s building. This year, the NC team replaced walls at the Baptist Student dorm, painted school buildings at Puu Kahea, and cleaned and painted several HPBC offices.

Debbie Lesley said, “God has brought the right people at the right time on these mission trips to Hawaii.” She also said that it feels like “coming home now” when they come to Hawaii. The connections they have made, the people they have met and the opportunities to help the churches has made them grateful for the gifts God has given them and be able to use them to help us in Hawaii.

The Lesleys are members of Nazareth Community Church in Rockwell, North Carolina. Although they come at their own expense, the church has helped them with financial support and prayer. Their pastor, Mike Shoat, has come with the Lesleys a couple of times and used his flooring skills to make repairs.

The Perrys are members of Central Baptist Church in Kannapolis, North Carolina. Two years ago, their now sonin-law used the Hawaii trip to propose to their daughter. Because Scott and Wes were able to talk about what it means to be a Christian while they were working, Wes’ son-in-law became a believer and was baptized recently.

Mark Abernathy, partnership coordinator with the North Carolina Baptist Convention, has urged Hawaii Pacific Baptists to make requests so that he can forward those requests to the NC churches.

When volunteers come to Hawaii, they experience a diverse culture that may be vastly different. They see the eyes of children light up when they hear a Bible story for the first time. They see the struggles of the small churches.

They see the poverty and homeless camps. Upon returning to NC, the team reports on their experiences and shares the desperate need for Christ in the islands.

Thoughts About the Hawaii Mission Trip

by Debbie Lesley, North Carolina volunteer

Missions have been a part of mine and Scott's lives for many years. God has opened doors that we never dreamed possible—from early years of working with Wycliffe Bible Institute, which we found fascinating, and what a wonderful work they do, to Honduras, and then Mississippi and Louisiana during hurricane Katrina, floods and storm damage in North Carolina, and then to Alaska.

Scott and I went to Maui on vacation in June, 2004. We decided to fly to Oahu while we were there, thinking that we may never visit Hawaii again. So, we took the one day island tour and saw the highlights.

what a blessing each of you have been.

We have been blessed to have now brought all six of our grandchildren! One of our daughters and son in law, Melissa and Jack, were able to come last year.

There is so much need here. The homeless are everywhere. Tent villages, cardboard boxes, tarps over grocery carts, under bridges, any of these places can be called "home!" It is not just one person, there are whole families. So many are unchurched.

Our main projects through the years have been to work on mission houses, churches, a preschool, and the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention. This enables the convention to use money in areas where it is put to better use.

Scott received a call in the Fall that year, and that's where our story of Hawaii mission begins. So many wonderful memories with so many people! I would not We have visited many churches, and we even begin to name all the team members love worshipping with them. As I have that have been on this journey with us, watched some of the people we have roughly 50 or so. You know who you are and

met, and see the love and enthusiasm they have for the Lord in their worship, I think about where some of them have come. People from all walks of life, from all over the world. People who have been rejected by their families because of their faith. People who have come to know the True God, that worshipped a god, or many gods. We as Christians, know that we come to salvation through Jesus Christ. If you are like me and grew up in church, I feel we sometimes take church and worship for granted.

Every year when we head back to NC, we feel as though we leave a bit of our hearts behind. The relationships we have developed through the years are so precious to us and will always be in our thoughts and prayers. The staff at Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention are some of the most wonderful people we have ever met. One week remains, we are blessed.

www.HPbaptist.net

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The Greatest Gift THE YOUTH PROJECT

by Bong Abagon, staff writer

Taniah’s mom wanted to give her the greatest gift she would ever receive - a trip to Hawaii. Taniah recently graduated from high school and while in Hawaii, stayed with her Aunty Iris and Uncle Vincent.

teenagers are challenged to give their talent to God in worship & praise through creative arts.

photo courtesy of Clyde Kakiuchi

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They go to FBC of Wahiawa where one of their youth leaders, Ms. Belinda, encouraged her to attend the Youth Project. “I just thought I’d go to this camp and learn about church and God but I was wrong” remarked Taniah. “I met new friends, learned about God, sang a lot of songs and learned that Christian music is not that boring.”

The Youth Project is in its third year and its goal is to challenge teenagers to give their talent to God in worship and praise through creative arts. “It came about because many of our camp attenders from the Children’s Creative Arts overgrew the program,” explained Pastor Bong Abagon, HPBC Church Outreach Director.

The Children’s Creative Arts Camp, developed by former HPBC staff Faith McFatridge, became the foundation to what is now known as the Youth Project.

During the program, campers learn drama, dance, voice and instruments like guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, piano, ukulele and saxophone. “I took acting, dance and voice in YP” says Taniah “and I loved it so much most especially when

we started singing songs that became my favorite, like ‘The Stand.’ That song is so meaningful. It says, ‘I’ll stand, with arms high and heart abandoned.’”

The whole program is designed to reach the soul of the person. Each child sings in the choir, experiences worship, studies the word and participates in a group discussion.

Taniah recalled, “One night, I was talking to Aunty Mary Jane. I got too emotional and I know I needed to talk more. She later asked me if I wanted Jesus to come into my heart, to heal me and to lead me? And I said ‘yes’. Pastor Vince then came and told me more about Jesus.” It is results like this that makes the ministry worth it!

The Youth Project was operated by 39 volunteers which included college students and parents. And now on their 16th year, Ms. Mary Jane, a choreographer, flew with her husband Dr. Johnny Savage, who taught piano techniqe, all the way from Franklin, TN. After the camp, YP participants can join a YP Tour where teenagers sing at different churches and share their testimony.

Taniah summarized this experience well when she said, “now I know why this trip is so memorable –it’s in this trip that I got to love Jesus, His music and His people.”

So What Happened?

THE FIRST EVER KEIKI CAMP

by Bong Abagon, Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention

WHAT happened at the first ever Keiki Camp that Puu Kahea Baptist

Conference Center (PKCC) sponsored? I asked Jimmy Tucker, director at PKCC, some questions about the camp.

An idea became a reality as the first ever Keiki Camp was held at Puu Kahea in July.

Q

How was the idea of the camp started?

Our office manager Lindsey Gaikowski actually came up with idea of Keiki Camp. After working here for over 4 years she has seen many groups come in and do camps and thought why don’t we offer or do our own camp. So we began to brainstorm and pray about the idea. Out of that thought came Keiki Camp.

Q

Who were the volunteers that came?

We had a mission team of 17 from Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, GA come and help us this year. We also had 9 local volunteers from HPBC churches that helped us during the week; they were from Hamama Community Church,Enchanted Lake Baptist Church, Makakilo Baptist Church, Pawa’a Community Church and The Gathering.

Q

How many kids? From what churches?

We had a total of 49 campers this year. They were from Palisades Baptist Church, Ewa Beach Baptist Church, Fellowship Baptist Church, University Avenue Baptist Church, Hamama Community Church, Cornerstone Fellowship, Nu’uanu Baptist Church, Hawaii First Chinese Baptist Church, The Gathering, Makakilo Baptist Church, Calvary Chapel Wahiawa, and New Hope Central Oahu.

Q

Decisions?

We had 5 decisions for Christ and 2 recommitments.

Q

Any of the kids say anything about the camp?

We spoke to some parents who told us their kids had a great time, and they were thankful that this opportunity was available for their kids. One participant who has been to other summer camps stated it was the best camp she had been to.

Q

Next year's camp? Age to attend?

Camp will be Tuesday, July 4, through Saturday, July 8, 2017.

To attend you must have completed 2nd grade through completed 6th grade.

Q

And anything else our readers would enjoy?

The theme was “Super Heroes of the Word.” Cabin Bible studies focused on the armor of God and nightly worship focused on characters in the Bible who were heroic.

We took up a mission offering to provide backpacks and school supplies for the homeless kids that live at the Waianae boat harbor. The offering total was $477. We were able to purchase 22 backpacks and fill them with school supplies. The residents of the boat harbor were very grateful.

www.HPbaptist.net

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DR. JAMES MCELRATH

A HEART TO SERVE

Dr. McElrath accepted a call to Olivet Baptist Church, beginning in September, 2016. Jamie and his wife Liz previously served with the IMB in the middle East. Liz McElrath served as state BCM Director from 1990–1993 while Jamie taught at Hawaii Baptist Academy. Dr. Tim Morita announced his retirement as of Aug 31.

Hawaii Christian Baptist Church gifted the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention by stripping and waxing the HPBC chapel floor for free.

PRAYERS FOR VINCE TABUDLO Please pray for Pastor of Red C Church, Vince Tabudlo and his wife Lisa. He suffered a stroke in August and as of August 10 remains in the hospital. Pray for Lisa Tabudlo, HPBC administrative assistant recovering from surgery.

SYMPATHY TO Faith McFatridge, retired HPBC staff, on the passing of her sister Ann Hisamoto in August.

Grant Okamura, choir director at Olivet Baptist Church, on the passing of his sister, Karie Okabe, in August.

Sachio Taira, retired HBA guidance counselor, passed away in August. Mr. Taira served public high schools and was known as a resource for high school seniors entering college.

NEW

dorm managers took over the ministry at the Baptist Student Dorm on August 1st. Jennifer and Joe Jung, and their 1-year old son, Justice, became the new residents of the Dorm Managers’ apartment. Jenn and Joe are members of Pawa’a Community Church and had been praying about getting more involved in collegiate ministry for the past year. During that same time, the previous manager, Teresa McCain, took on new responsibilities as the Director

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ANNUAL GIVE-AWAY International Students Ministries held its annual give-away August 18 at International Baptist Centre. Many Oahu churches donated items for dorm students. International Ministries continue to provide transportation from the airport to the university for students.

BCM STUDENTS BCM students attended Student Week at Glorietta August 7-12. According to Arjay Gruspe, Manoa BCM director, the students were inspired and challenged. Featured speaker is Timothy Ateek (Executive Director and communicator of Vertical Ministries in Waco, TX). Band is Rush of Fools (Birminghambased band that went from winning a national talent contest to landing a record deal in a short period of time. Their latest release, Wonder of the Word, is tagged by some as "progressive worship."

NEW MANAGERS

at the Baptist Student Dorm of Women’s Ministries for HPBC and began transitioning from the dorm manager position to her new position.

Jenn and Joe remember the day, ten years ago, when they met on the front steps of the dorm. At a later time, they both served as BCM interns at the Baptist Student Dorm.

Moving back to the dorm as a family is very meaningful to them. They have been married for five years and have one son,

Justice. Jenn works part-time as an attorney with Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center at Legal Aid and Joe works for the City and County of Honolulu.

They are excited to begin their work with the dorm residents and to come alongside the BCM in collegiate ministry.

According to Jenn, “A decade has rolled by, but we were once in the college students’ shoes, moving into the dorm with all that brings…Our prayers for this year are anchored in the

Jesus creed – ‘Love the Lord your God…Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The dorm has a great capacity to build a Jesus-centered community that shapes the course of a college student’s life forever. We are beyond honored to be a part of this community.”

CALENDAR

view the online calendar at hpbaptist.net/calendar SEPTEMBER

4

4-10

5

18

19

24 30-10/1

Single Adult Sunday Week of Prayer Hawaii Pacific Missions Sue Nishikawa Offering Labor Day Anti-Gambling Sunday Discipleship Rally HPBC Executive Board Missions in the Hawaii Pacific

9-30—10-1

1-31

2

9 21-22

Missions in the Hawaii Pacific Cooperative Program Emphasis Soul Winning Commitment Day World Hunger Sunday HBEEA Conference

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

4-11 Disaster Relief Appreciation Day 9 General Election Day 11 Veterans Day

16-17 New Workers Orientation

17-18 HPBC Annual Meeting, Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel 24 Thanksgiving Day

4-11

25

26

DECEMBER

Week of Prayer & Mission Study for International Missions & Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Christmas Christmas holiday observed

hpbaptist.net/AnnualMeeting www.HPbaptist.net

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