Spotlight on Pastors

Spotlight on Pastors

Andrew Large Retires after 42 Years of Ministry

Written by Andrew Large

This month marks 42 years since Andrew Large began his local church ministry as Interim Youth Pastor at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Ennis, TX. Over the years, God called him to various pastoral roles, including Youth Pastor, Music Minister, College Minister, and Single Adult Ministry, serving in Texas, Alaska, Alabama, Florida, and finally, for the past 29 years, in Hawaii.

One of the joys of his ministry has been seeing disciples make disciples and partnering with church planters. Although he is retiring after 18 years at Waikiki Baptist Church, he emphasizes he will never retire from serving God in ministry.

Steve Houser Accepts New Call to Pastoral Ministry on Mainland

Written by Sara Houser

After serving for 14 years at Songtan Central Baptist Church (English ministry) in South Korea, Pastor Steve Houser has accepted a new calling to serve as Senior Pastor of a Southern Baptist Church in Kingsport, Tennessee. Steve and his family will be transitioning stateside in November to begin serving at Bloomingdale Baptist Church and the surrounding community.

The Houser family has loved living overseas and serving alongside the Hawaii Pacific Baptist churches. Pastor Steve is excited about the opportunity to bring his commitment to preaching the Word, missions, and family ministry along with his connections with the HPBC (and Korea!) to continue to serve the Lord in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Waiehu Community Church Ordains and Installs New Elders

Written by Robert Miller

On September 29, Waiehu Community Church (WCC) celebrated the ordination of Kenny Komatsu and Joshua Lockhart at the Ula Ula Café property, where the church regularly meets. Pastors and church members from partner churches on O’ahu, Lanai, and Maui came to support and affirm the calling of these two men. These men join Rocky Komatsu as pastors of WCC. During the evening service, Rocky Komatsu moderated, and Todd Morikawa, Pastor of Kailua Baptist Church on Oahu, brought the message. After the service, friends and family shared a fellowship meal. Both Kenny and Joshua are married, raised on Maui, and have been active in various ministries.

Church Planter Nasa Sete Plans to Move to O’ahu in 2025

Written by Craig Webb

One of the ways your church’s gifts help Hawaii Pacific Baptist churches is through the Send Network. Send Network of the North American Mission Board partners with HPBC to evaluate, train, endorse, deploy, and support church planters.

One new church we hope to see in 2025 is being planted by Nasa Sete, focusing on reaching Polynesians.

Nasa was born on Oahu and raised on Maui. His wife, Caroline, was born and raised in Tonga. They have four children, Roman (8) Otani (5), Lesieli (3) and Ruth (1). They live in South Bend, Indiana where they serve at Gospel City Church with Pastor Micah Klutinoty.

Nasa shared that “in 2020, God birthed in my wife and me a desire to reach our Polynesian people through the local church.” After exploring the calling, they plan to move to Oahu in June 2025 to establish a new church plant through Gospel City Church. Please pray for their family as they make moving preparations.