WMU Annual Meeting Highlights Our Hope in Christ

from Pacific Connector | 2023 July Aug | Issue 4

by Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention

52 Sundays

by Diana Ventura, HPBC Director of Women's Ministries

The annual Hawaii WMU Missions Celebration took place on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Mililani Baptist. This year’s theme was Hope in Christ, focusing on Romans 12:12, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

The event brought together 125 men and women, with 25 churches represented.

Sandy Wisdom-Martin, National WMU executive director, was the keynote speaker. She shared powerful stories of people who found hope in Christ despite their difficult circumstances. Julie Busler, the president of Oklahoma State WMU and the author of Joyful Sorrow: Breaking Through the Darkness of Mental Illness, shared a powerful testimony that highlighted her personal struggle with mental illness and the power of Christ who delivered her.

The program included mission trip testimonies by David McElrath (Life Christian) and Pastor Andrew Large (Waikiki Baptist), personal testimony by Finau Ioane (Aina Haina), and a missionary testimony by Natalie Nation (Pawa'a Community/IMB).

A panel of ministry leaders shared how they are reaching and impacting their community within their respective areas of ministry.

A youth choir led the worship, and the day ended with a beautiful hula by the Olivet hula team.

The missions celebration was a reminder that God’s heart for missions is that true hope is only found in Jesus Christ. May we all be intentional about reaching people wherever we are with the love of Jesus so that they, too, will have Hope in Christ.