Contending Together, Annual Meeting Recap

Adapted from an article in Baptist Press

Hawaii Pacific Southern Baptists met November 7-8 at the state convention’s entity, Hawaii Baptist Academy, where 1,100 students from kindergarten through 12th grade study.

The theme for the 82nd annual meeting— “Contending Together,” with Philippians 1:2728 as its scriptural base—Standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, for the faith of the gospel— was both an acknowledgment of what’s already happening and a challenge for an even greater commitment to the task at hand

According to his records, Credentials Committee Chairman, Pastor Jamie McElrath of Olivet Baptist Church in Oahu, reported 69 guests and 200 messengers from 52 of Hawaii Pacific’s 139 churches registered, including messengers from Kauai, Lanai, Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii, plus Guam, Japan, the Philippines, Samoa, South Korea, and Thailand.

The Hawaii Pacific convention added one new church in 2024, and at least three new SEND Network church planters are anticipated in 2025, reported Shane Critzer, SEND Network Coastal West Region director.

The annual meeting's business included passing five resolutions, approving the 2025 budget, and electing officers.

The messengers unanimously approved a resolution celebrating and committing to the Cooperative Program, including a statement, “That we commit ourselves to celebrating and promoting the Cooperative Program within our churches, associations, and entities in its one-hundredth year.”

Messengers also unanimously approved a resolution to adopt the SBC’s abuse prevention ministry toolkit as a recommended resource for all Hawaii Pacific Baptist churches.

The 2025 budget that passed included $1,100,000 in anticipated Cooperative Program giving from churches, plus $62,000 in other fees and interest. The trimmed operations budget is $1,128,715, including 20 percent of churches’ CP gifts, or about $222,000, leaving the convention for national and international SBC missions endeavors. The messengers approved a deficit of $178,715, which is to be covered by reserves. The anticipated expenses are lower than last year, while the national CP allocation remains unchanged.

Brian Frable, pastor of Kona Baptist Church on Hawaii Island, was re-elected president; Shane Tanigawa, pastor of University Avenue Baptist Church on Oahu, was elected first vice-president; and Larry Hale, pastor of Eleele Baptist Church on Kauai, was elected second vice president. A recording secretary is to be elected by the Executive Board.

The 83rd annual meeting of the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention is set for November 20-21, 2025, at the Outrigger Kona Resort in Kailua-Kona, on the island of Hawaii.

Read the full report and access video here: hpbaptist.net/annualmeeting2024