Hawaii Pacific Baptist April 2014

Churches in the Pacific impacting the world

April 2014

Vol. 44, No. 2

Baptist

NAMB Evangelism Spotlight

in this issue

LoveLoud ministries open doors for evangelism

Our ‘purpose’ Chris Martin, executive director of Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention, reminds Hawaii Baptists of their united purpose: To make disciples.

Page 2

By Joe Conway

Alpharetta, Ga.—“Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world” (James 1:26-27, HCSB).

James writes that one measure of true religion is evidenced by how Christ followers treat the neglected. LoveLoud is a movement of churches demonstrating God’s love by meeting significant human need while sharing Christ.

The search for the neglected is not a difficult one. Look no further than your local school. That’s what they did in Jackson, Ga. The congregation of Jackson’s Macedonia Baptist Church decided to do something to help the hundreds of students in their community who may not get regular meals during the summer. For 10 weeks last summer their church joined two other congregations in providing lunches for more than 200 local children whose families said they’d like to have the help.

“I hope (our community) sees the love of Christ coming through us,” said Lane Sanders, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church. “We don’t look at ourselves as separated unto ourselves, but we have a mission and an investment in the community.”

According to Jerry Daniel, the North American Mission Board’s LoveLoud team leader, Macedonia Baptist is one of a growing movement of Southern Baptist churches that are demonstrating God’s love by meeting significant human need while sharing Christ.

“There’s a movement happening among Southern Baptists,” Daniel said. “God has created a groundswell of churches that are loving their communities like Jesus would. We want to highlight this and encourage other churches to get involved.”

Waikiki ‘engaged’ Andrew Large, pastor of Waikiki Baptist Church, says he’s not willing to stand silent and watch society crumble. Instead, his church is reaching out to area schools to impact society for Christ.

Page 5 A‘Maze’ing Magician Jim Munroe takes college students through ‘The Maze’ and challenges them to look at God’s truth.

Page 8

 See Opening doors... Page 6

Serving neglected communities is a hallmark of the LoveLoud movement. (John Swain/NAMB)

Start your LoveLoud journey here LoveLoud is a movement of churches demonstrating God’s love by meeting significant human need while sharing Christ. Start your church on the journey of impacting lives and transforming communities through the power of the gospel.

Mobilize your church to LoveLoud God is awakening His church to see their neglected neighbors through the eyes of Jesus.

Remembering Colonel Sagert President emeritus credited with saving school from closure

Moving? See page 2 (0401)

Denton, Texas—HBA President Emeritus Colonel Stanley A. Sagert, who is credited with saving HBA from closure in 1970, died January 25, 2014, at the age of 93 in Denton, Texas.

“We are deeply sorry for the loss of Col. Sagert, but we are also rejoicing because he is now in heaven with our Lord,” HBA President Dick Bento said. “Because of his leadership we are here today.”

Sagert was born on March 27, 1920, in Missoula, Montana, and grew up in Southern California. He graduated from Bell High School in Bell, California, in 1937. While he was attending Oklahoma Baptist University, World War II began. Sagert, who was an instructor pilot, entered the Army Air Corps

Colonel Stanley Sagert is pictured overlooking the construction at the Hawaii Baptist Academy’s Pali campus. (File photo)

immediately.

During the war, he flew 50 missions out of North Africa to Italy. One night, his plane was shot down over Yugoslavia while returning from a raid in Romania. He was rescued by a group of guerrillas and spent some time in

This awakening is the first step on the LoveLoud journey. Mobilizing your church is a process of moving and growing—exploring and learning how you can begin to demonstrate God’s love toward these neglected neighbors and neglected communities. Strategic alignment of your church’s God-given skills and resources to address significant human need will transform lives and entire communities through the power of the gospel.

The following three learning steps are starting points for you church on the LoveLoud journey:  See LoveLoud ... Page 6

Yugoslavia before returning to Italy.

Sagert received his bachelors degree from the University of Minnesota while serving in the U.S. Air Force. He then completed a masters degree from the University of Southern California. His last military assignment was on the personal staff of Admiral John McCain (father of Senator John McCain), Commander in Chief of the Pacific, where Sagert served in Vietnam.

In 1970, Sagert retired early from the military to become the president of HBA. “The only thing I really wanted to do after retiring from the Air Force was work for the Academy,” Sagert said in HBA’s history book, “The Power of Your Love.”

Sagert’s enthusiasm for HBA helped him to build a donor base on the mainland with the late Dan Kong, past HBA president and vice president of development, which led to the formation of the Mainland Advisory Council (MAC).

Even with all of the pressures of keeping the school open, Sagert got involved with the  See Sagert ... Page 3

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HAWAII PACIFIC

HAWAII PACIFIC BAPTIST 2042 Vancouver Drive Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 (USPS 237-540)

CHRISTOPHER MARTIN Editor FAITH McFATRIDGE Associate Editor The Hawaii Pacific Baptist is published bi-monthly by the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention. For general information, call (808) 946-9581.

Periodicals postage paid at Honolulu, Hawaii, and additional mailing office.

To subscribe: Send request to the Hawaii Pacific Baptist at the above address.

Subscriptions for nonresident members of the HPBC are $12 annually.

To register a change of address: Send the mailing label from page 1, along with your new address, to The Hawaii Pacific Baptist at the above address.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to HAWAII Pacific BAPTIST, 2042 Vancouver Dr., Honolulu, HI 96822-2491 To give news tips: Call the editor at (808) 9469581.

To submit a letter: Letters on any subject will be considered for publication if sent to the above address, provided they do not make a personal attack on anyone. Letters are limited to 250 words and may be edited for length.

Publishing services provided by Western Recorder Inc., Box 43969, Louisville, KY 40253.

Robin Bass, partnership editions director.

Join us on Facebook Be part of the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention via Facebook. Already have an account? Simply type “Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention” in the search box.

Then click the “Like” box on the right side of the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention header. It’s that easy. Followers of HPBC will receive all the updates and be current with the events and activities as they are posted. Let’s keep connected. For more information, contact Faith McFatridge at faith@hpbaptist.net.

APRIL 2014

Hawaii Baptists’ united purpose, making disciples

By Chris Martin

A few years ago, as Wendy and I were in Seoul with a team from Lahaina Baptist Church to partner together with Seoul International Baptist Church in an Mahalo from English camp, we were strollMartin ing through the busy streets in one of the shopping districts. As we walked past a huge window in one store, many various quotes were etched in the glass. One that caught my eye stated, “Be proud of where you’re from, but be glad you’re here now.”

That saying still resonates in my heart today. As I am Chris Martin now blessed to serve you as your executive director, I remember the paths that God has led me through to get to this place. In each location, He has taught me more

and more. And as I reflect upon the past, I am proud of where He has brought me. But I am excited about where He has me now.

Looking ahead, we have much to be excited about. God is doing great things in the midst of challenges around us. And He has positioned us to work together to see His kingdom move in, around and through us. We are experiencing the truth that we are doing better together. But, we must remain faithful to follow Him and encourage each other as the days pass.

As we continue ahead, I want to express again that we are united for a purpose. As the body of Christ, we strive to make disciples of Christ of all the nations, in all of the languages of all of the people. We cannot grow weary of this because of careless action, but we need to draw closer together and to Christ as we move intentionally in our work for Christ.

As our convention of churches continues to

Is the SBC relevant to a 21st-century world?

By James Draper Jr.

A good question and one worth asking: Does our SBC have anything significant to say to this 21st century?

It does us no good—and actually does us harm—to dwell on our size, numerical goals and our heritage. We can’t live in the past.

Our heritage is only as meaningful as its most recent application, meaning that all we have done in reaching the nations for Christ does not guarantee us relevance in the future. Being “Great Commission People” and “People of the Book” means daily seeking opportunities to engage the world with the power of the gospel, but in humility and with a heart of service.

It is easy for us to point to all that we feel is “wrong” about the SBC. Yes, there are some things that need to be changed, but mostly we need to refocus. Every individual Southern Baptist has the ability to decide whether to be part of the problem or part of the solution. The solution is in engaging the world with the gospel in humility and service.

“What relevancy does the SBC have today?” Here’s my answer: The SBC foundationally has a vision for missions and evangelism. Taking the gospel to the nations is in our DNA. Never could our denominational forefathers have predicted the geopolitical complexities of the 21st century, but the SBC is structured to literally reach the “uttermost” parts of earth.

There is strength in our cooperative efforts. We can do more together than we can by ourselves. Get beyond the cliché that many people have made this statement to be and contemplate its weight.

We have more missionaries under appointment and more volunteers serving around the world than any other evangelical denomination. No one church, especially the smaller churches that comprise the majority in the SBC, can so completely cover the globe with resources, but together they can.

The irony is that these totals are the tip of an iceberg. There is no reason why Southern Baptists couldn’t involve thousands more missionaries and give billions of dollars to support them through the Cooperative Program and our missions offerings. We have the resources; we just have to give them.

Southern Baptists have a heart for soulwinning. We take seriously God’s mandate to share the good news of salvation. All ministries are important and have their place, but the greatest service we can provide to a lost

world is personally introducing people to the Lamb who sits on the Throne. We have a long way to go to implement this vital soul-winning strategy, but it is in our hearts to do so.

We just need to do it.

We love the local church. We understand that simply leading others to salvation is only part of the process. Jesus created the church—His bride—to be an integral element in His relationship with us. It is through the church that we grow spiritually. From the church we are sent out, and to the church we bring the lost for refuge.

We have a clearly defined doctrinal base.

The Baptist Faith and Message outlines the area in which we move theologically and is a statement of “our faithfulness to the doctrines revealed in Holy Scripture.”

Southern Baptists celebrate the autonomy of the local church. There is no hierarchical structure to force conformity on issues.

Autonomy creates enormous freedom, and also tension (our structure actually invites controversy!). No action by the SBC or its entities is binding on any church. We volunteer to cooperate and when we do it creates a bond of steel.

We have developed the most effective theological training anywhere in the world through our seminaries with more than 16,000 students enrolled. In fact, all six of our seminaries rank in the top 15 largest seminaries in America. Men and women are formally being developed to impact the world with the gospel and that impact will be felt for generations to come.

Resources provided by Southern Baptist entities have had a significant global impact in cultures worldwide and beyond our denomination.

Am I boasting? Absolutely not! I trumpet God’s blessings on us as a people and recognize that He has worked through us in spite of ourselves. Can we do more? Absolutely!

Think how God would use us if we totally and humbly submitted ourselves individually and corporately to His leadership.

Is the SBC a lost cause? Absolutely not!

Remember, the story we are sharing with the world is one of grace, redemption, restoration and usefulness. Let’s extend grace to each other and stay on point to be used of God. If we will, I believe that not only will good come from the SBC, but that the best is yet to come. (BP)

James Draper Jr. is interim president of Criswell College in Dallas, president emeritus of LifeWay Christian Resources and a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention.

connect and cooperate in ministries, we want to help facilitate the success of the opportunities that are available. Our HPBC staff team is ready to serve you in whatever we can do to help you be all that you can be in Christ. We are here for you, so please let us know how we can assist you as you pursue the life in Christ.

Our prayer is for Christ’s richest blessing to be yours as you faithfully follow Him. I want to thank you for all of the calls, emails, texts and messages of congratulations as I have begun to serve you in our Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention. It is a privilege that I did not anticipate nor plan for, but I am extremely grateful for God’s direction as we have walked through these past months in true faith. You have been an incredible encouragement for Wendy and me. I will never be able to fully convey my appreciation.

Mahalo and God bless you!

Chris Martin is the executive director of Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention. Email: chris@hpbaptist.net.

‘Hello’ is not enough

By Diana Davis

A greeter in our church once said, “We’ve got to figure out how to actually connect every guest with another person. Our flippant ‘hellos’ or ‘glad-you-cames’ just GUEST COLUMNIST aren’t adequate.”

Consider challenging your church members with these tips to connect with guests: n Make a personal commitment to intentionally “connect” with one guest every Sunday. Ask God to make you aware of visitors. Be diligently alert—in the parking lot, foyer, nursery, hallway, worship service—to notice Diana Davis them. If you accidentally welcome someone who isn’t a guest, no problem.

You’ve found a new friend. n Once you’ve found a possible newcomer, pray for God’s guidance. Smile, greet the guest warmly, and introduce yourself. Pay careful attention to his name. Repeat it. Write it down. You will want to call him by name next Sunday when he returns. n Chat casually and purposefully. You may ask, “Is this your first time to worship here?”

Ask nonintrusive questions such as, “Did you just move to town?” or “What brought you to church today?” Never ask, “Are you a native here?” That reeks of a clique and warns the guest they aren’t welcome unless they’re from your town. n As you chat, listen carefully to find things you have in common. Most importantly, offer friendship. Make a plan to get together this week. Invite them to join you for lunch today, meet for coffee Monday, or be your guest at an upcoming church event. n Give the guest your email or phone number, and ask for their contact info. Call them Tuesday to remind them of the kids’ Wednesday program or on Saturday to say, “I hope you come back tomorrow. I’ll save you a seat!” n Help the guest to connect with at least one other person at the church. As you converse, think of someone who has a common interest, i.e. children’s ages, similar life stage, employment, neighborhood, hobbies or background. Introduce them. n Say these words before the guest departs: “We want you here!”

As God brings guests to your church, will you intentionally connect with them?

Diana Davis is an author, columnist and minister’s wife based in Pensacola, Fla.

HAWAII PACIFIC

APRIL 2014

Miller joins OBN team

Happy 50th FBC Haleiwa

Dr. Robert Miller has been elected as the new facilitator of the Oahu Baptist Network. He will begin his duties on April 1. Miller brings a wealth of experience to OBN as a past moderator of OBN, past president of HPBC, pastor/church planter of Kohala Baptist in Kapaau, HPBC Director of Evangelism & Church Planting, and for the past 12 years as pastor of Waialae Baptist Church. In this photo, Miller is shown with his wife, Beverly. You may send him a word of welcome at rkmiller1@juno.com.

Colonel Sagert Continued from page 1

spiritual growth of the school’s students by hosting a weekly Bible study in his office.

In 1987, Col. Sagert wrote the following about Christian education: “I believe that it is axiomatic that a school that is unequivocally committed to Christian values and academic excellence is bound to be a success.

Add to this the Christian concern and love of evangelism. The combination is unstoppable. The result is success.”

Sagert served the school as president for a total of 17 years. Upon his retirement in 1987, the intermediatehigh school campus was named the

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Stan Sagert Campus by the school board which also conferred on him the title of president emeritus.

Sagert is survived by his son, Stanley “Buddy” ( 71); three daughters, Penny Wagner, Marlee Armstrong ( 68), and Kristin Obermeyer ( 78); six grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife Marjorie in 2007.

Condolences may be sent to Col. Sagert’s son, Stanley Sagert, at 909 Witherby Lane, Lewisville, TX 75067.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Stan and Marj Sagert Scholarship Endowment Fund at Hawaii Baptist Academy, 420 Wyllie Street, Honolulu HI 96817.

The First Baptist Church of Haleiwa celebrated its 50th anniversary on Feb. 16 with a special service and lunch. The church began as a mission of First Baptist Church of Wahiawa in 1960 with Carl Kinoshita as pastor. It was constituted into a church on Feb. 16, 1964. Former pastors Carl Kinoshita, Harvey Angel and Tim Morita gave their testimonies about their time at Haleiwa. FBC Wahiawa members including current pastor, Steve Gray, also came to help celebrate the day. Serving at Haleiwa is pastor Geno Takaki and his wife, Emiko. (Photo

by Clyde Kakiuchi)

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Hosting a WorldCrafts party Hosting a WorldCrafts party will empower you to make a difference in the lives of impoverished women and families worldwide. When you host a WorldCrafts party, you invite people in your neighborhood, church, or community to gather together to learn about the WorldCrafts vision and to purchase our handcrafted, fair-trade products from

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HAWAII PACIFIC

Irs deadline 5 key points church leaders should know

By Richard R. Hammar

Any church that has employees, files employment tax returns, or has a bank or brokerage account, must have an “employer identification number” (EIN).

This includes nearly every church in the United States. An EIN is obtained by filing a Form SS-4 with the IRS using the IRS website (irs.gov) or by submitting a paper form. Since 2010, line 7 of Form SS-4 has asked for the name and Social Security number of a “responsible party” of the applicant.

The IRS became increasingly frustrated by its inability to communicate with responsible parties identified in employers’ SS-4 forms, usually because the responsible parties designated by employers no longer served in those capacities due to any number of reasons, including resignation or death. On Nov. 18, 2013, the IRS adopted an entirely new requirement to address this problem, stating any employer with an EIN must report changes in the identity of its responsible party to the IRS by March 1, 2014, using Form 8822-B. Many church leaders want to know if this new reporting rule applies to churches. In the upcoming April 2014 issue of Church Finance Today, I go deeper on the rule’s application to churches, including how to complete the form, how to respond to this requirement depending on when your church was founded and obtained an EIN, and how to maintain compliance in future years.

However, to help address some immediate concerns, given the looming March 1, 2014, deadline, here are five key items to note: The Form 8822-B reporting requirement applies to any organization that has an EIN. This includes most churches.

The use of the form is mandatory if there is a change in the responsible party identified on the Form SS-4 that a church filed with the IRS to obtain its EIN. There are no penalties for noncompliance. However, a church that fails to comply with this reporting requirement, and has a change in the person identified as its responsible party on Form SS-4, may not receive timely notices of deficiencies or demands for taxes from the IRS, which can lead to penalties and additional interest charges.

Perhaps the most common scenario involves churches that obtained their EIN many years ago, long before Form SS-4 was amended in 2010 to include the identity of a responsible party. Are these churches required to file Form 8822-B? The instructions to the form do not address this common scenario directly, and the IRS has provided no guidance.

But it is reasonable to assume that these churches should file Form 8822-B listing the current responsible party’s name and Social Security number, and either leaving lines 8a and 9a blank (name and Social Security number of the former responsible party) or inserting on those lines the name and Social Security number of the responsible party who served immediately prior to the current one.

APRIL 2014

Hawaii Baptist Academy celebrates MAC week Hawaii Baptist Academy celebrated its 65th anniversary with the Mainland Advisory Council (MAC) recently during the school’s annual MAC Week.

Highlights from the week included the elementary students singing “Happy Birthday HBA” in both English and Hawaiian, painting new stained glass murals for the elementary school’s chapel, and a dedication service for the new Arts and Science Building (at right), which included the unveiling of the eagle donor wall.

During the service, a special tribute was made to the late President Emeritus Col. Stanley Sagert by John and Diane Hom, retired HBA faculty and staff members.

The MAC is a group of more than 300 friends who have supported HBA since 1977 through prayer, financial giving, and recruiting of new donors. They come from 25 states and generally consider the annual meeting in Honolulu a combination revival and reunion.

The MAC meeting is one of the highlights of the year for the entire HBA family.

HBA’s Aloha Council hosts Ladies Tea The Hawaii Baptist Academy hosted the Mainland Advisory Council (MAC) in February with many activities. A Ladies Tea was held at Olivet Baptist Church hosted by The Aloha Council (TAC). TAC is a body of HBA supporters who under God’s leadership believe in and support the mission of HBA and are committed to ensuring its spiritual, financial, and academic well-being. Founded in 1990, the TAC organization is comprised of former parents, grandparents, alumni, friends, relatives, and other interested persons. If you are interested in supporting TAC, contact the HBA Development Office at 808.533.7094 or development@ hba.net.

In most churches, a church treasurer, lead pastor, or member of the church board would satisfy the definition of a responsible party since they have a sufficient level of control that enables them “directly or indirectly, to control, manage, or direct the entity and the disposition of its funds and assets.”

Read more about this development in the upcoming April 2014 issue of Church Finance Today.

For more information contact Jerry Sulliban, HPBC Finance Administrator, at jerry@hpbaptist.net, or call (808) 356-8339).

Meet FBC Pearl City’s new intern

Daniel Rodolf is serving as the interim Youth Minister at the First Baptist Church of Pearl City until June 4.

HAWAII PACIFIC

APRIL 2014

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Hawaii Baptists actively advocating morality in public square Known as Pono Choices, the curriculum also does not discuss the benefits of Honolulu—The legalization of gay marmonogamy, stating only that “limiting riage and a sex education curriculum the number of sexual partners a person that normalizes sexual activity for chilhas can greatly reduce their risk of getdren under 14 are among the latest ting an STI (sexually transmitted infecdevelopments that have prompted tion),” according to a report by State RepHawaii Baptists to engage their resentative Bob McDermott.

“I’m very proud culture with renewed The word “pono” in the of our churches curriculum’s title is the commitment.

Andrew Large, pastor of Hawaiian term for righteousengaging our Waikiki Baptist Church, said ness, a fact that pro-family communities. he’s not willing to watch “sociadvocates consider sadly ... They really ety go downhill because (he’s) ironic. The Hawaii state have a heart being silent and staying pasmotto also contains the word to see Christ sive.” The Great Commission pono and is rendered in Engdemands that believers “be lish, “The life of the land is change their engaged in the civil issues and neighbor and perpetuated in (let) our community know righteousness.” exactly what Christianity is all their families Among other headlines, a and even the about, what the Bible has to Hawaii court dismissed two say,” he said. churches in January from a tourists.”

In November, Governor Neil lawsuit brought by atheists Abercrombie signed into law a Christopher Martin alleging that five congregabill granting marriage rights, tions committed fraud by benefits and protections to peopaying substandard rent to ple of the same sex. The bill, passed in a the public schools where they met. special legislative session with vocal supAlliance Defending Freedom Senior port from Abercrombie, made Hawaii Legal Counsel Erik Stanley, who reprethe 15th state to legalize gay marriage. sented the exonerated congregations, More than 1,000 citizens testified before called the lawsuit an attempt to “bully the legislature regarding the bill, with churches into settlements when they did about 80 percent opposnothing wrong.” ing it.

Sharing ‘transformed life’ Meanwhile, a sex education curriculum for children ages 11 to 13 that is Amid these developments, Hawaii taught in at least 12 Hawaii public Baptists have found ways to advocate schools describes the anatomy of homomorality in the public square while also sexual and heterosexual intercourse and presenting their neighbors with the mesfails to mention that intercourse with a sage of salvation in Jesus. child under age 14 is a felony in the state.

“I’m very proud of our churches’

By David Roach

April 5, 2014 - Saturday 8:30am till 3:00pm Pukalani Baptist Church 36 Loha Street, Makawao, HI 96768 April 12, 2014 - Saturday 8:30am till 3:00pm Engage Church 811 Laukapu Street, Bay #5, Hilo April 26, 2014 - Saturday 8:30am till 3:00pm Lihue Baptist Church 3223 Elua Street Lihue, HI 96766 Register with Darrell, Disaster Relief Coordinator 356-8343 or darrell@hpbaptist.net

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is one of the three largest volunteer disaster relief organizations. Come and get involved with us and you too can share a cup of cold water in Jesus name. Matthew 25:35-40

engaging our communities across the board when it comes to sharing the transformed life,” Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention Executive Director Christopher Martin said.

“They are engaging the communities,” he said. “They really have a heart to see Christ change their neighbors and their families and even the tourists out here.”

The Hawaii Pacific convention passed a resolution advocating traditional marriage the week before gay marriage became law. During the debate, the convention hosted webinars and posted resources on its website, including arguments against same-sex marriage, advice on ministry to homosexuals and suggested language for church bylaws to protect congregations from being forced to host same-sex weddings.

As the legislature’s vote approached, the Maui County Baptist Association ran an ad in its local newspaper quoting the Baptist Faith and Message’s statement that “marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime.” The ad urged citizens to tell their legislators to vote no on same-sex marriage.

Churches ‘adopt’ schools Rick Lazor, pastor of OlaNui! in Honolulu, said Hawaii Christians should respond to the Pono Choices curriculum by adopting public schools and serving them. That would demonstrate believers’ care for students and help Christian leaders gain a hearing regarding what’s taught about sex, he said.

“My dream is for a Southern Baptist church to be in every school complex in Hawaii,” Lazor said. “We only have basically one school system here and one board of education for the whole state.

We as a church need to adopt elementary and middle and high schools and be there for the principals when things are right and not only when things are wrong so that relationships are built.”

Although many Hawaii pastors “steer clear” of politics, “the homosexual marriage vote in September and October shook loose a lot of guys that have never been involved before,” Lazor said. “Right now I’m just hoping that momentum will stay alive.”

Hawaii’s moral tolerance is a misdirected byproduct of its friendliness and openness to all people, Lazor said. The state’s emphasis on personal warmth often makes Christians fearful of

speaking out on public square issues for fear of being perceived as mean, he said, but many believers are learning that engagement is not the same as unfriendliness.

It’s difficult to find unfriendliness at OlaNui!, a congregation named with the Hawaiian word for “abundant life” from John 10:10. Located in the state’s fastest growing urban area, the church includes a mix of doctors, business people, retirees and homeless people. They sit at fiveperson tables during worship, and food is served before and after services.

“You have the wealthiest and one of the poorest census tracts in the state in the square mile surrounding our church,” Lazor said. “Our dream is that our church would be a place where both of those kinds of folks could sit down together for Sunday morning. And it’s somehow becoming that.”

Engaging new culture In the wake of gay marriage legalization, Large said helping churches amend their wedding policies to avoid lawsuits by homosexual activists is an important ministry. The church amended its bylaws to stipulate that only the church’s paid clergy may officiate weddings on church property. The new policy was approved by the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and allows Waikiki Baptist to stand against gay marriage while still complying with the state’s public accommodation laws.

But Waikiki Baptist, which is located in a resort area, doesn’t limit its cultural engagement to the realm of public policy. Every Thursday night between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., church members set up a table outside with a sign reading, “Need prayer?” It draws tourists, locals, prostitutes, drug dealers and homeless people, affording opportunities to share the gospel.

Once people receive Christ as Lord and Savior, Waikiki Baptist involves them in a series of discipleship classes and home groups that meet across the island. Teaching these new converts how to honor God with their votes is part of the discipleship process, Large said.

“Part of discipleship is showing people that in every area of their life God is relevant,” Large said. “It’s not compartmentalized. We don’t put our civic duties in one box, our work ethics in another box, our church attendance in another box.

Christianity is the whole basis of what we do. It’s who we are 24/7.” (BP)

Good food, great fun

Cost is $10.00, checks are to be made out to HPBC. Can pay at the training 8:30am – Registration 9:00am- Gold (yellow) hat training, “Involving Southern Baptist in Disaster Relief” 12:00pm- Lunch provided 12:45pm- Feeding unit and sanitation training 1:45pm- Recovery and assessment training, (mudout/cleanup) To train you must be 18 or older and a member of a Southern Baptist Church. You are required to retrain every three years and will need to be credentialed that includes passing a background check. Please check your current credential and retrain if needed. If you are considering going to the Philippines with our DR teams you will need this training and a passport that is more than 6 months out from expiring.

You’re Cooperative program giving and the Sue Nishikawa offering helps pay for this training.

Chaplains and church planters were treated to a day of fun and fellowship in February at University Avenue Baptist Church. Everyone enjoyed games and bounce house from the HPBC Party Trailer, other activities and a lunch with grilled steaks.

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Continued from page 1

Community Prayerwalk Seeing people and communities “through the eyes of Jesus” starts with prayer. Walking among the people and visiting the places where they live, work and shop will allow God to speak to you about His love for them and their great need for Him. Community Exploration Experience The CEE is a natural next step following a community prayerwalk. This is an opportunity for personal interactions and an intentional focus on gathering information.

Community strengths & needs survey This step moves you deeper in the learning process and requires developing relationships with community leaders. It is very important to show respect and appreciation for these community leaders. Remember, you are entering their community as learners and as servants.

Get your church involved in schools What would happen in our schools if: • Churches across North America prayed every week for students in the 65,000 public schools in the U.S. and Canada?

•All 40,000+ SBC churches prayed regularly for two specific schools?

•Volunteers from those churches served the schools as hall monitors, classroom assistants, tutors, event organizers, PTA delegates or coaches?

•Students from those churches were empowered to be salt and light at school?

•God-fearing staff members from those churches—whether teachers, principals, or administrators—recognized their profession as a calling to reach schools with the gospel?

Scripture proclaims, “He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us?” (Ephesians 3:20) Pray that we will see a service and commitment to the spread of the gospel among students across North America!

Ways you can adopt a school include, but are not limited to: •Commit to praying for a specific school, its students, teachers, and administrators.

•Volunteer your time to serve in a specific capacity such as hall monitor, library aid, etc.

•Help your school with fundraisers.

•Assist school band or sports team.

•Help the janitors keep the school clean. Ask them how you can assist.

•Secure a group from your church to help with a school project.

•Bake a pie or cake for a teacher.

•Honor teachers on their birthday.

•Help the bus drivers; they have one of the hardest jobs! Pray for them!

•Sit in and help with after school programs, health classes, or tutoring.

Start a literacy ministry According to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institute of Literacy, approximately 32 million adults in the United States are not able to read. Twenty-one percent read below a 5th grade level.

Economic security, access to health care, and the ability to actively participate in civic life all depend on a

APRIL 2014

individual’s ability to read,” states the Department of Education report.

What can you do?

•Pray for and reach out to those in your sphere of influence who struggle with English •Meet with your pastor or church staff to discuss literacy needs in your community.

•Invite your friends and neighbors who struggle with speaking English into your home. They need to learn by speaking with English speakers.

•Take a class in how to teach English.

•Sit in on tutoring classes.

Many in your community need tutoring, whether children in an after-school environment or adults in the community. Baptist state conventions often offer assistance in learning how to prepare people to tutor others. Check the 2014 State Literacy Coordinators & Staff listing to find your state representative to discover training opportunities and additional support.

National Literacy Missions Partnership, in partnership with NAMB, is a network of Southern Baptist state convention leaders and volunteers committed to reaching people for Christ through literacy missions ministries (i.e., English as a Second Language, English as a Foreign Language, Tutoring Children and Youth, and Adult Reading and Writing).

Find more at namb.net/literacy-missions/.

Pregnancy care ministries NAMB seeks to provide alternatives to abortion by partnering with Southern Baptist churches, associations, and state conventions in ministering compassion and healing to women in crisis pregnancies through starting pregnancy care centers and assisting established centers in carrying out their ministries.

A pregnancy care center functions as an evangelistic arm of the local church and demonstrates the compassion and truth of Jesus Christ in practical ways to families and individuals with pregnancyrelated needs. It offers alternatives to abortion in unplanned and unwanted pregnancies in a way that is neither political nor social, but spiritual. It is a ministry where members of the church who are passionate about the sanctity of life can make a difference. We invite existing centers that are working with local Southern Baptist churches to call and request information about affiliation. There is no affiliation cost for new or existing centers Mentoring children There are few studies showing the long-term outcomes of adults who mentor children. However, there are community-based programs that do show promise in reaching at-risk-children. At-risk children include those who face a future of gang involvement and crime, teen pregnancy, runaways, abusive family situations, and cognitive disabilities, to name a few. Mentoring children can make a difference in transforming a life, a family and a community. Here are some ways you can lead your church in mentoring children: n Lead your church groups/ministries to pray for specific children, streets, neighborhoods and schools.

n Form a mentoring group to study the issue in your town, county and state. n Meet with local and state government offices to discuss the issue. n Seek out and research mentoring organizations. Ask to meet with them for advice and insight. (See resources below.) n Invite people to use their skills in becoming a mentor. Keep people working in their strengths rather than areas they are not gifted in. n Form a mentoring group in your church or form one in the community. n Ask to meet with and help leaders in your area school. n Form an after-school reading or math club for children. Invite people to attend and read to the children. This will give them an understanding of how they might become involved in mentoring. n Consider parents mentoring parents. n Hold parent group meetings to encourage good parenting. n Celebrate the success of good mentors. Celebrate the mentor as well as the child. n An easy beginning is to take a child to your church camp. n Don’t wait to take action.

For more information, visit namb.net/ loveloud.

Partner with HPBC churches, ministries You can get involved by partnering with other churches and ministries in the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention.

Listed below are some of the ministries already being implemented through HPBC churches: n Tutoring n ESL n Mentoring n Seafarers Ministry n Feeding the homeless n Community Block Parties n Senior Adult Ministries n College Student Ministries n International Student Ministries n Food Pantries n Senior Housing Ministries n Multi-Housing Ministries n Assisting the military servicemen and their families n Sports Ministries n Daycare for preschoolers n Prison Ministries For more information about LoveLoud Ministries for your church, contact Faith McFatridge at faith@hpbaptist.net, or (808) 356-8326.

All Nations Baptist Church in Honolulu is located in the Kakaako area and many homeless individuals find their way there. Once a month, the church visits a group of homeless families who have set up tents at a park just a few blocks from the church. In March, they took boxed meals and donated blankets to the park. Those who came enjoyed music and a devotion by interim pastor, Steven Kang (right) and balloon animals for the children.

Opening doors Continued from page 1

Sanders says his church members delivered lunches in neighborhoods they had never visited and met people struggling with great need. Several of the children they’ve fed last summer attended the church’s Vacation Bible School. At least one of them committed her life to Christ.

Discovering a similar need among students in Philadelphia, Chuck Kieffer thought of a novel solution. Kieffer, a church planter and pastor of Philadelphia’s The Foundry Church, led his congregation to reach their urban neighbors by growing fresh produce. Their urban garden naturally provided teachable moments, along with a 500-pound annual yield of fresh produce. Garden Camp, an urban gardening-based Vacation Bible School, was the next step.

“We teach gardening techniques and nutrition, which are easy to bridge to biblical concepts of our Creator,” Kieffer said. “Doesn’t every church have some piece of ground they are not using?

Every church can do this.

As part of its efforts to help foster a LoveLoud movement through churches, NAMB is trying to shine a spotlight on activities like those championed by Macedonia and The Foundry in hopes that such examples can serve as a model for other churches.

“We are collecting data and identifying churches and ministries involved in mercy ministries,” said Ryan West,

NAMB’s national director for LoveLoud.

“We are furthering the conversation of what churches are already doing. We are attempting to help foster and build networks.”

West said one goal is to help those involved in mercy ministries feel more connected to others doing similar work.

“There are some common issues among caregivers. Many struggle with the feeling of isolation. They think they are attempting to assist the neglected in their community by themselves. We can help them find partners and others who are helping the neglected in their communities in other ways. This helps alleviate that sense of becoming overwhelmed,” West said.

An aspect of the LoveLoud movement that makes it attractive to cities is how those deeply involved in mercy ministry are instruments of peace in their cities— personal peace through the presence of Christ and peace within the community.

“LoveLoud brings a refreshing peace.

The gospel brings the fountain of life to the desert,” said West.

It is precisely this result that so often opens the doors to gospel conversations and faith encounters, said West. Mercy ministries with ties to local churches are important when people come to faith in Christ. Established relationships help new Christians feel welcome when they come to worship and join churches.

(NAMB)

Explore how your church can expand its ministry to neglected communities through LoveLoud at namb.net/loveloud.

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Hawaii WMU, the ‘Story Lives On’ at annual meeting

More than 150 people attended the two-day Hawaii Woman’s Missionary Union Annual Meeting at Pagoda Hotel and Olivet Baptist Church.

The Woman’s Missionary Union of Hawaii celebrated their annual meeting at Pagoda Hotel and Olivet Baptist Church Feb. 7-8. The theme was “The Story Lives On” and featured the history of Hawaii WMU with photos at each table.

About 160 attended the Friday night banquet which featured national WMU Executive Director Wanda Lee and testimony by Megan Sandford from Kaunakakai Baptist Church. Hands-on projects included sewing bags for seafarers and making cards for pastors and missionaries.

Saturdays activities included workshops on The Story Lives On—God’s Story Through the Generations, God’s Story Through the Bible, God’s Story in my Church, God’s Story Through Prayer.

About 120 attended the Saturday

sessions.

Next year, the WMU annual meeting will be at the Ala Moana Hotel on Feb. 6-7.

In other WMU news, Hawaii WMU was awarded a Second Century Fund grant by the national WMU executive board Jan. 11. The grant will be used for leadership development of women in missions.

AT RIGHT: Hawaii WMU was awarded a grant

by the national WMU board. Pictured from left are: Mark Shipley, WMU Foundation board chairman; David George, WMU Foundation president; Diane Hom, Hawaii WMU president; Faith McFatridge, Hawaii WMU executive director; Debby Akerman, national WMU president; and Wanda Lee, national WMU executive director/treasurer. The WMU Foundation manages the Second Century Fund.

The Gathering The Baptist Collegiate Ministries held The Gathering at Puu Kahea Conference Center Feb. 21-23.

About 70 students and leaders attended the event. Nineteen students

Conference attracts 70 college students

and leaders also attended the conference from the Hilo Baptist Collegiate Ministries.

Their trip to The Gathering was made possible with scholarships from

the Sue Nishikawa Offering, donations from Hilo churches and various fundraisers.

HPBC Executive Director Chris Martin was a guest speaker at the event.

Jo Evans Music Scholarship The application deadline for the Jo Evans Music Scholarship Fund of the Hawaii Baptist Convention is April 18. This application includes information about the applicants education, work experience, spiritual walk and financial status, as well as the recommendation by three persons, including a pastor.

Applications must be received by April 18 at the following address: Jo Evans Scholarship Fund Applications, Attn: Clyde Kakiuchi, 2042 Vancouver Drive, Honolulu, HI 96822.

For more information, or to receive an application form, call (808) 946-9581.

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Christian magician takes college students through ‘Maze’ challenge

By Jessica Reyes

On Thursday March 6, BCM-Oahu and CRU partnered up to bring one of the most sought after magicians in the world, Jim Munroe, to the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus.

A staged magic show usually entertains an audience by creating illusions of the seemingly impossible, leaving people questioning the lines between realities and the perception unseen. Magician Jim Munroe intertwined “The Maze” to challenge the audience to go beyond the clichéd question, how did he do that?

The campus center ballroom was filled with more than 650 students, the largest outreach of students in the last five years.

Munroe is not just an ordinary magician who pulls rabbits out of hats or typically saws a person in half.

Munroe explained to the audience about how the magic show demonstrated our journey in life, by dealing and learning through hardships.

“I tend to like questions, more than answers,” Munroe said. “And what a magic show does is forces you into a place of questioning and it pulls the rug of reality out from underneath you, until where you’re literally left to a place where you don’t know what is happening. I make people take a second look at what they call, ‘truth.’”

The show took a dramatic turn when Munroe asked the audience to leave if they didn’t want to hear about Christianity, but assured it to be worthwhile for those who stayed.

Illusionist/Evangelist Jim Munroe hangs out at the BCM-Oahu table at the Maze event. Pictured from left are Kawika Ornelis, Evan Arashiro, Joseph Nam, Joanna Gerolaga, Jessica Reyes, Josiah Stowd, Lauren Goodman, Jim Munroe, Reese Kato, Nico Eder and Tyler Hadden.

UH film student Sam said, “He gave options, college students want options.

He tells you the truth and was up front about it. He does the first half of the show and then told the audience, ‘I’m about to tell you the truth.’”

Munroe’s message linked his battle with Leukemia and his salvation. He told the audience, that before being

Engage church growing, planning outreach FIRST PERSON By John Endriss

The last three months for Engage have been awesome. God has grown us to an average weekly attendance of 90 and we have broken 100 once. God has also grown those committing as members.

We now have 33 adults who have been to our membership and committed to being members. There are many kids attending church with more than 25 at children’s church on two occasions.

Pray as we are continually sharing the gospel and as several unbelievers are regularly attending services. We hope to baptize several more this month.

Clips of worship and sermons f can be found at youtube.com/johnendriss. Regular updates can be found on our Facebook page fb.com/EngageHilo.

Many have asked what we are doing to reach students and young families effectively. My first answer is usually the music. We are unapologetically loud and have been introducing new songs each week. Between the music and message we take a 10-minute break, to eat snacks and connect with each other —especially newcomers. This has been great at connecting people and building community.

The messages are scriptural, but always point to action to be done. We use connection cards that are turned in at the end of services to see how people are responding and how to pray for them.

We also do radical and silly things. At a recent university campus outreach, in partnership with the Hilo BCM, we made a 100 Engage T-shirts (thanks to a

sponsor) and used a potato gun to launch them to students passing between classes. The next Sunday was our highest attendance yet!

Facebook ads have also been something we’ve used, and will use again strongly during for our Easter service.

One family said it was one of the key things that brought them to our church.

At the end of the month of March we marked our first anniversary in our location, and seven months of weekly services. Pray that we celebrate well what God has done in reaching people and quickly growing our church and that we also see clearly where he is leading in the future.

This summer, we are planning two Vacation Bible Schools with two mission teams. One will be in our building and with help from Burnt Hickory Baptist Church. Youth mission teams from Hawaii Kai and Mililani Baptist churches will help with the second VBS, which will be held in a nearby park where many low-income and immigrant families frequently gather. Pray that both events will be able to reach new kids and families with the gospel of Jesus.

My wife and I were able to have our picture shared through prayer cards across the nation during the Annie Armstrong emphasis week. We were blessed to get cards, emails and letters from church from coast to coast encouraging us with prayers. Thank you all for your prayers and you support of this offering and the Cooperative Program. Our ministry is being carried by them.

diagnosed with cancer he was very skeptical with God. “Where do you turn when you have nothing but God to turn to?” Munroe asked. “There’s something about facing death square in the eyes that changes your perspective, you realize that there’s something bigger than you going on behind the scenes of your life.”

While religion is the purpose of “The Maze,” it is not forced upon anybody.

“I was curious about how magic and religion tied in together. His story really paralleled Jesus’ love for us,” said Rachel, a BCM student.

So far, more than 26 students accepted Christ as a result of attending this show.

Disaster Relief training

Disaster Relief training was held at First Southern Baptist Church Pearl Harbor in March. Eleven volunteers from six churches were trained in the basic “Involving Southern Baptist in Disaster Relief,” which included mass feeding and recovery. For more information on DR training or volunteer opportunities, contact Darrell McCain at (808) 356-8343 or email him at darrell@ hpbaptist.net.

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BeachReach: Spring breakers find Jesus ‘by surprise’

By Amy Jacobs

Panama City Beach, Fla.—The land of bright sunshine and snow-white sand can be a spiritual dark spot each and every spring break. Rowdy weeks of partying often bring with them a spirit of recklessness and outright rebellion into Panama City Beach, Fla. While locals brace for the invasion and disruption they’ve come to expect with spring, quiet forces determined to share the hope of Jesus Christ make their way south. Retirees who serve with the Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief Team link arms with college students from churches and collegiate ministries across the country for BeachReach.

BeachReach is a mission trip experience in the heart of Panama City Beach.

Servant evangelism takes the form of free van rides and free pancake breakfasts. College students provide simple acts of service that open the door to lifechanging conversations about the hope and love of Jesus Christ.

Here’s how it happens: Each evening a team of students takes their place in a call center, where they receive inbound calls from spring breakers who need rides. An entourage of white passenger vans, church vans and the occasional minivan are dispatched to the Panama City Beach strip where they offer free and safe van rides in hopes of sharing their faith.

Each morning, armed with pancake mix and truckloads of syrup, the Georgia team sets up a mobile kitchen in a nearby strip mall parking lot. Hungry spring breakers trickle in and are greeted with pancakes—pancakes that lead to conversations.

“BeachReach is often the experience that causes my students to share their faith for the first time,” Austin Wadlow, college pastor at First Baptist Church of Denton, Texas, said. “When they start a conversation, on the van or over pancakes, it opens a door in their walk with Christ. They go from not sharing their faith at all, to sharing it on the strip or in a bowling alley, to realizing they can do that anywhere. What they learn to do at BeachReach is so transferrable to what they should be doing on campus.”

Prior to joining LifeWay Christian Resources as the BeachReach event coordinator, Bill Noe spent 12 years in Baptist Collegiate Ministry on the University of Louisville campus and participated in

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Survey: Religious liberty on decline, say pastors

By Bob Smietana

BeachReach students point the way to free pancakes. (Russ Rankin/BP)

BeachReach year after year.

“I brought students to BeachReach and did so every year because there was no other experience I’d offered my students that created that kind of change in them, one that lasted beyond the week and came back to the campus,” Noe said.

“BeachReach really seeks to help believers develop a passion and heart for lost students. That doesn’t just stay in Panama City Beach; it transfers back to the local campus.”

If Panama City Beach is the schoolroom for learning to share faith, it’s a rough one. BeachReachers are stretched and challenged by what they see and hear and, as they learn to share their faith, they learn to extend grace to their peers.

“One of the things that overwhelms me about BeachReach every year is how it takes spring breakers by surprise,” Noe

A student engages van riders in conversation. (Russ Rankin/BP)

said. “They expect one thing from us and they get something that’s so much more genuine, loving and gracious than they expect. There is a temptation to be overwhelmed by the behavior and think we have to correct behavior. That’s not the heart of BeachReach. BeachReach is offering the hope of Jesus through service.”

LifeWay offers BeachReach as a ministry opportunity each spring break.

“BeachReach is one of the most important ministries we do. We see both souls and lives saved each week,” Faith Whatley, LifeWay’s director of adult ministry, said. “As we mobilize college students to share their faith boldly, those van rides and conversations often save young women from dangerous and destructive evenings. The ministry our BeachReachers extend is life-saving.”

Last year, after two weeks of ministry, 11,186 van rides were given. Seventyeight students accepted Christ. The 767 BeachReach participants served 9,473 plates of pancakes. At three pancakes per plate, that stacks up to 28,419 pancakes all prepared by the hands of the Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief Team.

“The Georgia team is made up of retired senior adults who know that Jesus loves these spring breakers, and at some level they may feel unequipped to reach them. But they’ve found this unique way to impact these students,” Noe said. “The pancake volunteers know the students are better equipped to have those conversations. They want to see that happen and they set them up to have those conversations over a hot plate of pancakes.”

It’s a collaboration of college students and an older generation who believe service and friendship will make a difference. (LifeWay)

Nashville, Tenn.—Most Americans say religious liberty is important, but they don’t always agree on how much liberty is enough or too much.

American preachers, it turns out, are more than a bit uneasy about religious liberty these days, according to a survey by LifeWay Research, a division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

The survey found that seven out of 10 senior pastors at Protestant churches said religious liberty is on the decline in America. About seven in 10 also said Christians have lost or are losing the culture war. The survey of Protestant senior pastors was taken Sept. 4-19, 2013.

Researchers asked pastors to respond to this question: “Many Christian leaders have talked about society being in a culture war. Regardless of how you feel about that terminology, how would you explain the current situation?”

Nearly six in 10 (59 percent) say Christians are losing. One in 10 (11 percent) say the culture war is already lost. Few (10 percent) say Christians are winning the culture war. Evangelical pastors (79 percent) are more likely than mainline pastors (60 percent) to say Christians are losing or have lost the culture war.

Some of the unease about religious liberty is due to shifts in American culture and church practice, said Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research.

In the 1960s, nearly two-thirds of Americans were Protestants. Today, they make up less than half of the population, according to the General Social Survey.

Fewer Protestants means less cultural power, Stetzer said.

In the past, he said, Christians— and Protestants in particular—took it for granted that Americans would look to the church for guidance on moral issues. Churches, he said, were seen as being good for society and so they were given special privileges— like exemptions from taxes.

That’s no longer the case, as the government and culture no longer defer to Protestant Christians, which makes pastors and their congregations nervous.

That’s not all bad news, Stetzer said. “The fact that ‘Christian’ is not just a demographic category can have a positive side,” Stetzer said, as it means that Protestants and other Christians have to be more active in living out their faith.

Protestants (and like-minded religious people) have to think through a new strategy that defends their religious liberty but also acknowledges that conflict, Stetzer said.

LifeWay researchers found similar concerns about religious liberty in a telephone survey of 1,001 Americans, conducted Sept. 6-10, 2013.

More than half (54 percent) agree with the statement, “Religious liberty is on the decline in America.” Four in 10 (38 percent) disagree. (LifeWay)

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Bibles for ‘my people’

Pair find a shared ministry passion through Bible translation

By Evelyn Adamson

Southeast Asia—The constant tick, tick, tick of computer keys provides the backdrop as Don Patrick* and Rith Jaya* compare notes on flickering laptop screens.

The men also swish the pages of a dictionary as they work together.

The ticking and swishing have comprised the soundtrack of the past two and a half years during which Patrick and Jaya have been translating the New Testament and the Pentateuch for a people group of 290,000 souls in Southeast Asia. With half the Bible still needing to be translated, the pair has at least two years of work ahead of them.

Jaya, who is from this people group, recounts how he became involved with the translation, saying, “I started reading the Bible, but I couldn’t understand (the gospel) clearly.”

It was only after Patrick shared oneon-one that Jaya grasped the power of the gospel and surrendered his life to Christ.

“This work is important for my

As a result of translation work by Don Patrick* and Rith Jaya*, believers are able to understand the gospel more clearly.

people,” Jaya says, “because many already have access to a Bible. This (is a) Bible my people can read and understand. Until now, they did not have one.”

Both Jaya and Patrick embarked on this project to provide access to the gospel for those who have yet to know Christ. Having worked on the translation together for more than two years, friendship plays a major role in driving the project forward.

Village Bible study Sputtering in protest, the small truck quiets to a stop, refusing to start. Patrick opens his door and pops the hood. Examining the engine, he tries starting the truck one more time before Jaya walks over and hops in the driver’s seat.

Jaya turns the key and the engine reluctantly begins churning. Smiling, a laugh escapes as he pokes Patrick in the arm and says, “Let me show how to fix a truck. You pray first!”

The men climb back in the truck and whiz down the dirt road, destined for a village where believers lead small house churches in their communities.

As the truck shifts into third gear, Patrick and Jaya are lost in conversation.

With one hand on the steering wheel, Patrick gestures often as he gives updates on believers and then listens as Jaya discusses his herbal medicine classes. Aiming to help other believers, Jaya uses his herbal medicine materials to provide medical aid to those who are too poor or too far from medical facilities.

Upon arrival at the village, Patrick parks the truck while Jaya hollers a greeting to a young believer, Balin

In his home office, Don Patrick* compares notes with Rith Jaya* during a translation session. In the course of two years, the pair has translated nearly half of the Bible, and they plan to complete the rest within the next two to three years. (Grace Chapman/IMB)

Nhek*, who owns a roadside shop and shares Bible stories with customers as they come in his store.

Nhek invites Patrick and Jaya into his home, located directly above his shop.

Strips of bamboo separate home from shop. Soon, three more believers arrive for the Bible study.

Tapping his Bible on its deep green cover, Nhek says, “I’m happy to have this Bible. It’s something I can cling to. It’s something I can refer to.”

Another believer, the leader of a house church, offers his own testimony: “Don (Patrick) has taught us many lessons, but sometimes it is difficult to remember them all. Now that we have

Rith Jaya* and Don Patrick* examine a sick woman after spending the day at a Bible study with other believers. It is not uncommon for both men to spend hours with several families, talking with those who are sick and helping those in need. (Grace Chapman/IMB)

the Bible, I can remember the lessons (better).”

Conversation continues between Patrick and Nhek as Jaya listens to the health problems another believer is experiencing. Jaya, a certified acupuncturist, suggests a session of acupuncture might help. He asks the man to lie down on a mat as he prepares the materials needed for the treatment. After the session ends, Jaya places his equipment in a small backpack and follows Patrick out of the house.

On their way to the truck, someone asks if Patrick and Jaya could visit a sick woman living nearby. Examining the woman, Patrick calls his wife, who is a nurse, to hear her suggestion. She says the woman might have Hansen’s disease, a bacteria skin condition more commonly known as leprosy. Fortunately, there is a nonprofit clinic nearby where she can receive treatment.

Back on the road Red dust swirls behind the truck as it moves over the bumpy, clay road and the village fades in the distance. Jaya steps out of the truck, stretching and yawning. He walks over and sits down at a local restaurant. Patrick soon plops down next to him and they look over the menu, deciding to order two baguette pizzas.

After a night’s rest, the final leg of the trip will take the men through two more tropical provinces before they return home. Whether sleeping on hardwood floors in villages and comparing who snores the loudest or sharing a meal of popcorn and peanut butter sandwiches while praying over their families, Patrick and Jaya approach every day as brothers in Christ.

Jaya says, “We have been like one family, it’s not an American family and Southeast Asian family. We’re all together and care about each other.”

Giving Jaya a bear hug, Patrick says, “I love this guy! He’s great!” (BP) *Names changed.

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40 Days for Life impact felt as clinic closes in Texas

Krysten Haga, a student at Texas Tech University, speaks as campaign director at a 40 Days for Life rally in Lubbock, which is no longer home to an abortion clinic . (Photo provided by 40 Days for Life Lubbock)

By Tom Strode

Washington—The most enriching occurrence in Krysten Haga’s time as director of a 40 Days for Life campaign came when she learned there was no longer a need for her to fill that role.

Near the conclusion of last fall’s campaign in Lubbock, Texas, the city’s only abortion clinic—Planned Parenthood— shut down a business that had taken the lives of more than 30,000 unborn babies, according to the 40 Days for Life national staff. The facility had not only been a site of 40 Days prayer vigils, but reportedly could not meet the state’s new abortion clinic regulations.

As the local campaign director, Haga “had the honor of sending the email that announced the closing of Planned Parenthood Lubbock for good, which was by far the most rewarding experience I have ever had while being involved with 40 Days for Life,” the Texas Tech University

student told Baptist Press.

When Planned Parenthood Lubbock, an affiliate of the country’s largest abortion provider, stopped performing the lethal procedures, Haga recalled, “I spent that Friday afternoon emailing everybody that I could think of to share the good news, including the national team” of 40 Days.

As a result, there was no need for a prayer vigil outside an abortion facility in Lubbock when 40 Days launched its next campaign March 5.

During the campaign, tens of thousands of volunteers will gather outside abortion clinics in 251 cities spread across 11 countries, hoping for an outcome similar to the one the 40 Days team in Lubbock witnessed. The campaign, which concludes April 13, will be held not only throughout the United States but in cities in Australia, Canada, Croatia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, England, New Zealand, Russia,

South Africa, Spain and Wales.

The around-the-clock prayer vigils outside abortion facilities that are at the heart of the semi-annual campaigns have provided a significant boost to the pro-life movement since the effort went national in 2007. In the ensuing six years, 40 Days—which also consists of community outreach, prayer and fasting to end abortion—has reported the following. n More than 8,200 unborn children have been spared from abortion. n 44 abortion facilities have closed, and 88 clinic workers have left their jobs. n About 600,000 people representing some 16,500 churches have participated in 522 cities across all 50 states and 20 other countries.

Haga, 24, became one of those participants four years ago when, in spite of her age, “knew it was time to stop stalling and jump head first towards something I knew God was calling me to.” She served as the 40 Days director for the final four campaigns outside Lubbock’s Planned Parenthood facility.

The “biggest motivation” for her prolife work is her mother, Haga said.

“She found herself in a crisis pregnancy at the age of 16 and chose life after visiting Planned Parenthood and considering abortion,” Haga told BP. “She had me the beginning of her senior year in high school. Every time I find myself out on the sidewalks counseling, I see my mom in those scared and lonely girls. I thank God that someone was there to show her Christ’s love and know that I was given the opportunity to do the same.”

On its website, the 40 Days national staff encourages participants during each campaign to pray not only for women considering abortion and the unborn children whose lives are threatened but, among other requests, for postabortion women and men, and abortion center workers.

Haga and the other participants in 40 Days have always been from a diversity of religious, ethnic and age groups, but “noticeable growth” came in three areas in the fall 2013 campaign, said 40 Days National Director David Bereit. These areas, he said, were “youth and young adults, Protestant and evangelical Christians, and minorities—most notably a dramatic increase in Hispanic participation.”

A Roman Catholic, Haga is part of the largest religious group of 40 Days participants. Catholics make up an estimated 65 to 70 percent of volunteers, while Baptists constitute the second largest religious affiliation and continue to increase, Bereit said.

The most recent 40 Days international campaign was marked by continued growth demonstrated in new locations and greater numbers of participants at repeat locations, Bereit told BP in an email interview.

The fall 2013 campaign appeared to reflect “a growing sense of hope and optimism as record numbers of abortion centers are closing, as more workers are converting and going public and as more local and state pro-life laws are enacted,” Bereit said.

“In addition to the reports of lives saved, more abortion workers experiencing changes of heart, record numbers of abortion centers closing, I was most encouraged by the reports and photos of children participating in this 40 Days for Life campaign who were saved from abortion during previous 40 Days for Life campaigns—some of them are now several years old.”

Along with the hopeful signs, the foremost discouragement reported to the national 40 Days staff, Bereit wrote, was volunteers asking: “Where is the rest of the church of Jesus Christ?”

There remains “enormous opportunity for greater Christian participation in pro-life efforts,” he said. (BP)

Noah film ‘inspired, not literal,’ says a new disclaimer by Paramount Nashville, Tenn.—The official website for the film “Noah” displays the new message that the movie takes artistic license, and that the biblical story can be found in the book of Genesis.

The movie’s maker Paramount Pictures and international Christian communicators group National Religious Broadcasters jointly announced the new promotional message Feb. 27. They indicated the message would appear on future Noah marketing materials for the film’s March 28 release. It would appear on the soon-to-be released online trailer, on print and radio Noah promotion, and on a percentage of the film’s online and broadcast material.

NRB President Jerry Johnson, past president of Criswell College in Dallas, Texas, lobbied Paramount to inform moviegoers that the film is not a line-byline retelling of the true biblical account.

“My intent in reaching out to Paramount with this request was to make sure everyone who sees this impactful film knows this is an imaginative interpretation of Scripture, and not literal,” Johnson, a former Baptist pastor and administrator and faculty member at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, said in the press release. “Because of the quality of the production and acting, viewers will enjoy watching main themes from the Noah story depicted in a powerful way on the big screen.”

The message states, “While artistic license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values, and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for millions of people worldwide. The biblical story of Noah can be found in the book of Genesis.”

After test screenings late last year, the film drew criticism from many Christians who expressed concern that it strays from the biblical text. Faith Driven Consumers, the group which supported Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson in the IStandWithPhil.com campaign, said Paramount’s newly released message shows a respect for the film’s core audience.

“While many Faith Driven Consumers will likely find valid reason to pause on some elements of the film, we are becoming more hopeful that many other areas will resonate and be compatible with the Bible’s core message,” Faith Driven Consumer founder Chris Stone said in a Feb. 28 press release. “We are looking forward

to reviewing and further evaluating the film and sharing that information with our community using our Faith-friendly Film Review rating system.”

Paramount Pictures vice chairman Rob Moore, a professing Christian, expressed in the press release appreciation for Johnson’s initiative. “Our goal has been to take every measure we can to ensure moviegoers have the information they need before deciding to buy a ticket to see the film,” he said.

Johnson’s initiative followed the NRB 2014 International Christian Media Convention in Nashville, where Johnson led a panel discussion on the movie, joined

by John Snowden, a biblical consultant for Noah, and Phil Cooke, a filmmaker and media consultant who is a member of the NRB Board of Directors.

Johnson said he hopes the disclaimer will hopefully make it clear to Christians that Noah was not intended to be a literal presentation of Scripture.

“We are grateful that Paramount is striving ... to strike a proper balance between artistic creativity, character development, and honoring the sacred Scripture,” Johnson said. “It is a significant and welcome development when a

leading Hollywood studio like Paramount makes a major film about a story from the Bible.”

“Many people will go to this film and enjoy it,” Johnson said. “Christians should be ready to engage with them about the main biblical themes that are portrayed in the film, namely sin, judgment, and salvation.” (BP)

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AROUND THESE ISLANDS

HAWAII PACIFIC

Seeking lead preschool teacher

Cornerstone Early Education Center, a Christian preschool, is seeking a lead preschool teacher for their pre-kindergarten class.

Cornerstone seeks someone who is passionate, professional, dedicated and who shares the

New worship leader

David Florence began in March as the new worship leader at Cornerstone Fellowship at Mililani Mauka.

hpbc calendar HPBC sponsored events in bold APRIL 5 Disaster Relief Training–Maui 5 VBS Training - Oahu 6 SBC Seminaries Sunday 10-12 Wives in Ministry Retreat 11-12 HBEEA Leadership Conference 12 Disaster Relief Training-Big Island 13 Cooperative Program Sunday 13-18 Baptist Doctrine Sunday 18 Good Friday 20 Easter Sunday 20 Life Commitment Sunday 26 Disaster Relief Training–Kauai 28-30 Church Planting Training MAY 4 Senior Adult Sunday 10 Executive Board 11-17 Christian Home Week 18-24 Baptist Association Emphasis 26 Memorial Day 27-30 Summer Missionary Orientation 31 Developing and Managing People Workshop

organizations’ core values on teaching children about Christ.

This is a full-time position, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Call Jennifer Stewart at (808) 626-8798 for further information on how to apply.

Patch Canoes Registry is a plus. Must have one of the following: n A degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education (ECE) from accredited college/university and six months paid, full-time work experience in ECE. n Child Development Associate Program or organized twoyears (60-credit) college program and certificate in early childhood and one year paid,

full-time work experience in ECE. nBachelors of Arts or Bachelors of Science in elementary education from accredited college/university and six credits in ECE or Child Development and six months paid full-time work experience in ECE (may be included as part of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree). n Bachelors of Arts in any field from accredited college/ university with at least 12 credits in ECE or Child Development and six moths paid, full-timework experience in ECE (may be included as part of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree).

Church planting training

person, plus lodging and meals at $72 per person; $44 per person for CPCT only. Scholarships are available.

Register at http://snacpct. com/ by 4:30 p.m. by April 9. If you have trouble registering online, please contact Lisa at lisa@hpbaptist.net. Late registrations will not guarantee handout materials, meals and lodging.

Churches Planting Churches training will be held April 28-30 at Puu Kahea Baptist Conference Center.

The first two days, April 28-30, will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 5:30 p.m. On April 30, a follow-up workshop will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 11:30 a.m. for church planting teams.

Registration will cost $20 per

sympathy

Pastor Bill Duncan dies Bill Gene Duncan passed away Feb. 15 while visiting his son, a missionary in Malaysia, and his family.

Duncan served as pastor of Waikiki Baptist Church and after he retired served as interim pastor at Oahu churches, most recently at Mt. Kaala Baptist Church in Waianae.

Funeral services were held Feb. 21 at Refuge Baptist Church in Tallahasse, Ala. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia “Betty” Duncan; children, Cindy Camarata (Lee) and Rodney Duncan; sister, Janice

17 18 18 19 19 19 21 21 22 23 23 24 24 25 26 27 30

Makito Watanabe - Olivet, Oahu Ashika Filipo - Faleniu, Am. Samoa Marty Sprankle - FBC Waimanalo Sun Young Kim - Korean Pearl Harbor, Oahu Robert Nagamine - Chaplaincy, Oahu Alex Hazlett - HPBC, Oahu Lana Oshiro - Retired, Oahu Jim Worth - MSC, Oahu Arielle Adenew - Olivet, Oahu Dan Armistead - Seoul Intl, S. Korea Paul Oyer - HB Foundation, Oahu Mary Eleanor Kong - Retired, Maui Raul Martinez - Iglesia Bautista, Big Island Samuel Yoon - Retired, Oahu Sharon Park - New Community, Oahu Katy Ching - Mountain View, Oahu Lynn Marie Lara - Waikoloa, Big Island

May 1 Jeri Evans - Pali View, Oahu 1 Robert Miller - OGN, Oahu 4 Danette Abe - Waialae Preschool, Oahu 5 Andy Stevens - Puu Kahea, Oahu 5 May Chong - Retired, Oahu 5 Sophie Esah - Sapuk Chuukese, Oahu

Congrats Dr. Tamashiro

Alan Tamashiro, pastor of Puna Baptist Church, earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

This photo was taken outside the chapel at the seminary. From left: Tamashiro’s son Timothy, wife Marlene, the new Dr. Tamashiro, and his mother Kathleen Tamashiro.

FBC Wahiawa celebrates 80 years

First Baptist church of Wahiawa will celebrate its 80th anniversary with a luncheon at Dot’s Restaurant in Wahiawa, located on 130 Mango Street Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. Cost is $15. A worship

service with guest evangelist Phil Waldrep will be held Aug. 24 at 10:45 a.m. All former members and friends are invited to join the celebration. Call Sharlene Teruya by June 1 to make reservations at 622-2058 or call the church at 622-4321.

Have You Considered Giving to Ministry Beyond the Offering Plate?

Bill and Betty Duncan.

Duncan Dillard; grandchildren and great grandchildren.

prayer calendar April 1 Won Lim Lee Kim - Guam FBC, Guam 1 Faith Shiroma - Retired, Oahu 2 Ken Newman - Retired, Oahu 2 Heeran Schoenhoff - Puuanahulu, Big Island 2 Stanley Togikawa - Retired, Oahu 3 Alice Bento - HBA, Oahu 5 John Allison - BCM, Oahu 5 Tae Bok Kang,- Retired, Oahu 5 Julie Nagamine - Chaplaincy, Oahu 6 Harlan Nakasone - Fellowship, Oahu 7 Ken Suesz - Waialae, Oahu 7 Joyce Sulliban - HPBC, Oahu 7 Marlene Tamashiro - Puna, Big Island 8 Stanley Shiroma - Retired, Oahu 8 James Shiroma - The Gathering, Oahu 10 Michael Abagon - HPBC, Oahu 10 Darrell McCain - MSC, Oahu 11 Ray Kitagawa - Chaplaincy, Oahu 12 Julie Shiroma - The Gathering, Oahu 12 Joan Togikawa - Retired, Oahu 15 Bob Duffer - Retired, Big Island 16 Divina Eder - Hilo Ilocano, Big Island 16 Vera Okamura - Olivet, Oahu 16 Lisa Tabuldo - HPBC, Pahu 16 Charlene Tagami - Kaumana Dr., Big Island

APRIL 2014

5 Suzanne Large - Waikiki, Oahu 6 Lita Carino - Haleiwa Filipino, Oahu 7 May Berona - Faith - Big Island 7 June Duffer - Retired, Big Island 7 Beverly Miller - OBN, Oahu 7 Richard Uejo - Retired, Big Island 8 Dennis Chong - Retired, Oahu 8 Blane DeLoach - Palisades, Oahu 16 Sovechana Khuy - Khemaras, Oahu 18 Melanie Basuel - Village Park, Oahu 20 Alberto Camacho - Filipino Intl, Oahu 21 Derek Schoenhoff - Pu’uanahulu, Big Island 23 Joeli Sovea - Pago Pago, Am. Samoa 23 Meripa Poch - Sonshine Hilo, Big Island 24 Iris Lazor - OlaNui, Oahu 25 Charles Beaucond - Pearl Harbor, Oahu 25 David Petherbridge - Retired, Oahu 26 Andrew Large - Waikiki, Oahu 27 Jae Young Koo - Cornerstone Korean, Oahu 27 Sean Lathrop - HPBC, Oahu 27 Darla Richardson - MSC, Oahu 28 Chris Galacia - Palolo, Oahu 29 Andrew Johnson - Antioch, Oahu 31 Cheryl Koide - Hawaii Kai, Oahu 31 Richard Murray - Kaanapali, Maui

Hawaii Baptist Foundation Can Help Charitable estate planning with the Foundation’s assistance can help you: Articulate your estate planning goals Review tax saving options of estate and gift planning Consider alternative giving approaches Discuss various ministry giving opportunities Identify ways to support your favorite ministry in perpetuity Learn from the experience of others Keep your affairs private and confidential Locate a Christian attorney to document your plans properly

Hawaii Baptist Foundation 1801 S. Ber et an ia St .

Ho n o lu lu , HI 96826 808 973-1111 w w w .haw aiibapt ist f oundat ion.com