Remembering & Celebrating the Life & Ministry of Alice Newman

On May 4, former Hawai’i Pacific Baptist Leader Alice Newman passed away after battling cancer. Although Alice and her husband, Ken, are originally from Oklahoma, they have considered Hawaii home having raised their four sons there. Ken was senior pastor at Ewa Beach Baptist and Hawai’i Kai Baptist for many years, and Alice started and directed the Hawai’i Kai Baptist Preschool.

Alice Newman served as leader of the Hawai’i Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) from 1985 to 2000. Hawai’i WMU established an annual offering called the Alice Newman TTT Offering (Touch Tomorrow Today) because of her significant impact on missions education. Many Hawaii Pacific Baptist pastors’ wives remember the exceptional Wives in Ministry retreats Alice organized and led when she served on the Hawai’i Pacific Baptist Convention staff.

Robert Miller, HPBC director of regional ministry, was Alice’s small group leader from Hawaii Kai Church. He shared, “She loved missions and ‘adopted’ many international students. She started and led the ‘Pau Hana Ohana’ ministry to retired Hawai’i pastors and wives. Alice had the gift of hospitality.”

Sandy Wisdom-Martin, National WMU Director, shared that she first met Alice as a college student in the mid-1980s when Illinois WMU sent volunteers to Hawai’i to help with training events. She found her a “poised and graceful leader reflecting Christ to all she encountered.” She shared more about Alice’s stewardship of her life in a recent post on the National WMU website.

Craig Webb, HPBC executive director-treasurer, recalls attending Alice’s annual Christmas Eve Open House as a child. “I vividly remember table after table of treats and Grandma Alice’s warm hospitality.” He added, “A year ago this month when I was praying about whether to apply for the role I now hold, an email from Alice encouraging me to apply was profoundly helpful. I thank God for women of faith like Alice and her lasting impact on me and so many men and women worldwide.”

On June 1, family and friends gathered at Olivet Baptist Church to remember Alice’s life and legacy. Alice is survived by her husband, Ken, three sons, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

By Robert Miller, Director of Regional Ministries, Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention