Kingd m Building the
Craig Webb
Executive Director/Treasurer
808-946-9581
craig@hpbaptist.net
From One Servant Leader to Another
Contending Together Through a Century of Cooperation
Aloha Hawaii Pacific Baptists,
Standing 100 yards from where Southern Baptist messengers first approved the Cooperative Program in Memphis 100 years ago, I joined 72 other leaders in signing a Declaration of Cooperation on May 13, 2025. As I did, I reflected on how Southern Baptists have been “contending together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27) for an entire century.
Dr. Jeff Iorg, SBC Executive Committee president, reminded us that the Cooperative Program was born in adversity, “political upheaval, economic uncertainty, denominational mistrust, and theological tensions marked 1925—much like today.” Yet from that challenging moment came what Dr. Iorg called a “never-before-attempted method of funding shared ministry and mission efforts.” They were choosing to “contend together.”
About the Cover Hamama Falls, Waihe'e Valley, Kaneohe, Island of Oahu. (licensed Adobe Stock photo)
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Scan this QR code or visit: hpbaptist.net/pacificconnector
Just weeks later, I had the privilege of representing you all at the SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas. Through videos from the convention floor, I tried to bring you into the experience, showing what YOUR Cooperative Program dollars accomplish. From the exhibitor hall to the missionary commissioning service, I witnessed firsthand what “contending together” looks like in action.
For Hawaii Pacific Baptists, this centennial celebration reinforces our commitment to cooperation. Our geographic distance across millions of miles of ocean could isolate us, but the Cooperative Program connects us to global mission work in ways that would be impossible alone. When I watched 58 new International Mission Board missionaries receive their commissioning, I saw how we as Hawaii Pacific Baptists are “contending together” to send them out.
As we look toward the next hundred years, let's continue to stand firm as citizens of heaven, contend together for gospel advance, and champion this funding mechanism that enables every Hawaii Pacific Baptist church from Hilo to Bangkok to participate in God's global mission.
All glory to God,
Craig Webb
Executive Director-Treasurer
Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention
Click here: conta.cc/3FLtqzZ or use the QR code to access all four videos and my full report about the SBC Annual Meeting.
Pacific Connector
2042 Vancouver Dr. Honolulu, HI 96822 808-946-9581
Executive Director, Editor Craig Webb craig@hpbaptist.net
Associate Editor Dawn Akutagawa dawn@hpbaptist.net
Content Editor Hannah Denney hannahkdenney@gmail.com
Contributing Editor Brandon Pickett
Designer Patti Spencer
Contributing Writers
Hannah Denney, Brian Frable, Glynis Keefer, Billie K. Takaki Lueder, Robert Miller, Brandon Pickett, Diana Ventura, and Craig Webb
The Pacific Connector highlights people and churches that work to spread the Good News of Jesus by reaching the Pacific and Asia.
Information Information about the Pacific Connector or the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention is available by emailing info@hpbaptist. net, or calling 808-946-9581. You may also write to Pacific Connector, Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention, 2042 Vancouver Drive, Honolulu HI 96822.
Online Access
The Pacific Connector is provided online, free of charge, and available at: hpbaptist.net/pacificconnector.
Designed by Innovative Faith Resources, a non-profit media firm, specializing in helping churches and non-profits with graphic design, video, branding, and financial services. Visit innovativefaith.org.
4 God's Amazing Provision In Action!
Pu'u Kahea is experiencing remarkable renewal because of God's abundant provision through the HPBC's churches.
12 Celebrating a Century of Cooperation
The 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Program was celebrated in Memphis, Tennessee and recognized by the signing of a Declaration of Cooperation.
13 HPBC Videos Receive Top Awards
Affirmation of the power of telling incredible God stories was given to HPBC at the 70th Annual Baptist Communicators Association Workshop.
14 Ministry Multiplied Through National Collegiate Partnerships
Ministries are being blessed and the gospel is being shared on university campuses because of Baptist Collegiate Miinistries partnerships.
14 Campaign for Transformation
Hawai‘i Baptist Academy’s new Innovation and Discovery Center will open at the start of the school year.
Departments & Events
2 Building the Kingdom: Update from our executive director-treasurer.
5 Church Health Conference: A time to inspire and encourage church leaders toward healthier churches.
6 WMU: A celebration featuring a multi-generational worship that focused on living missionally.
7 Sue Nishikawa Week of Prayer: Contending Together
8-10 Something to Celebrate: Ministry celebrations, ordinations, missions, and gatherings are held throughout the islands.
15 Second Quarter Summary: HPBC's Executive Board's President, Brian Frable, summarizes significant actions of the Board Meeting that took place in May 2025.
16 2025 Annual Meeting: "All Authority in Christ"—the annual meeting will take place this year on November 20 & 21 at the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa on the Big Island.
An Update
Kahea Camp & Conference Center
God's Amazing Provision In Action!
By Craig Webb
What an incredible season of God's faithfulness! When the HPBC Executive Board tasked me in February to appeal to our Oahu churches for help with Pu'u Kahea renovations, I had no idea how abundantly the Lord would provide.
The response has been overwhelming— $55,224.27 in donations from 14 generous supporters! Our HPBC churches have stepped up beautifully: Ola Nui, Manuia Baptist Fellowship, Life Christian Church, Aina Haina Baptist, Mililani Baptist, Kalihi Baptist, and Hawaii Chinese Baptist Church
Combined with major gifts from the Hawaii Baptist Foundation ($10,000) and the Shiraki Foundation ($10,000), we've fully funded our critical K-Cottage 3 bathroom renovation and are now tackling other projects.
But it's not just about the money—it's about hearts for ministry. Churches like Aina Haina
blessed our March workday volunteers with shaved ice while they rolled up their sleeves to beautify the property. Hawaii Chinese Baptist gave generously while booking their own August retreat, demonstrating true partnership.
A meeting with Corey and Sarah Perkins, alongside HPBC Operations subcommittee members Anson Okimoto and Johnny Lau, revealed a ministry poised for a breakthrough. With 15 confirmed events for 2025, dedicated volunteer couples serving monthly terms, and projected income approaching our break-even point, Pu'u Kahea is experiencing remarkable renewal.
Yet opportunities remain for those wanting to join this kingdom investment. Every gift— whether $100 or $ 10,000—is transforming this retreat center into a place where lives are changed.
hpbaptist.net/church-health-conference
U Across Generations
nity
By Diana Ventura
The Woman's Missionary Union Annual Missions Celebration brought together believers from across the islands for a day of worship, learning, and fellowship focused on living missionally. Pearl Harbor First Southern Baptist Church hosted the event.
The celebration featured a vibrant, multigenerational worship experience led by a youth worship team from various churches. Pastor Bong directed the Youth Project Band, made up of children and teens, in several heartfelt songs that highlighted the joy of worshiping together as one body.
The program was rich with testimonies and teaching. Attendees heard from church planter spouses, a panel of youth sharing how they bring Jesus into their everyday conversations, and special guests from the Utah Partnership for Christ, who minister to Mormons in Utah. A highlight of the event was keynote speaker Denise Clymer, President of New Mexico WMU, who shared her experiences serving Native
American tribes and encouraged attendees to live missionally every day.
What made this event especially meaningful was its multi-generational spirit and the genuine sense of unity felt throughout the day. From children to senior adults, everyone was reminded that sharing Jesus is not a momentary act, but a way of life.
The celebration concluded with a catered lunch, offering a sweet time of fellowship and community—a true breaking of bread among brothers and sisters in Christ.
The 2026 WMU Missions Celebrations is scheduled for April 18, 2026 at Olivet Baptist Church in Honolulu.
Keynote speaker: Denise Clymer, president of New Mexico WMU
WOMAN'S MISSIONARY UNION
Your gifts through the Sue Nishikawa Offering for Hawaii Pacific Missions support this great annual event.
Get ready for an inspiring week of prayer and giving!
Sue Nishikawa WEEK OF PRAYER for Hawaii Pacific Missions is September 7-14, 2025
This year's offering spotlights three incredible ministries demonstrating what it means to stand firm in one spirit: the remarkable revitalization of Malama Christian Fellowship in Nanakuli under Pastor Eddie and Faleiva Hunt's leadership; our thriving Baptist Collegiate and International Ministries reaching students across University of Hawaii campuses; and an exciting new church led by Craig and Maggie Coppenbarger, specifically ministering to military families at Pearl Harbor/ Hickam.
When we contend together through prayer and generous giving, we strengthen ministries across Hawaii and the Pacific. Your support provides vital resources for these life-changing works to flourish.
Watch for videos, prayer guides, and bulletin inserts coming in September at hpbaptist.net/suenishikawa. Join us in making a Kingdom difference together!
CONTENDING TOGETHER
"Just one thing: live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith of the gospel,"
Philippians 1:27
Koza Baptist Adds Silvano Makoto Kuba to Team of Elders
by Robert Miller
On April 27, 2025, Koza Baptist Church was blessed to add to their team of Elders, Mr. Silvano Makoto Kubo. Silvano came to Okinawa in August 2023 in response to the Lord’s call to serve on mission in Japan.
He was born in Brazil to Japanese immigrants. His father was a Church Planter and Pastor in Brazil. Silvano trusted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at the age of 7. As an adult, he sensed the Lord leading him to teach Bible and Geography at a Christian School. He studied Biblical Studies at Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, Canada, and served as the senior pastor at the church his father planted in Brazil for 18 years. He currently serves at Okinawa Christian School International (OCSI) as a history teacher. He is married to Lu Kubo and they have one daughter, Liz, who is a student at OCSI.
Ian Richards Becomes Lead Pastor at Guam Christian Life Fellowship
by Robert Miller
Guam Christian Life Fellowship (GCLF) recently called Ian Richards to serve as their next pastor. Before becoming the lead pastor in April 2025, he served in GCLF for 2 years as an elder. In addition to pastoring, Pastor Richards is the chaplain for the Department of Corrections and the president of Pacific Island University, a Micronesian Evangelical Bible College. Richards is married to Amanda, whose maiden name is Moon. Amanda is the second cousin of Lottie Moon, the former missionary to whom our international mission offering is named. Together, Ian and Amanda are raising 4 children. Richards follows former Pastor Pancho Madrid.
The Kubo Family Silvano, Lu, and daughter Liz
The Richards Family
Dr. Johnny Hom Graduates from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
by Robert Miller
Congratulations to Dr. Johnny Hom, who graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) on May 9, 2025, with a Doctor of Ministry in Applied Theology degree. He began his studies in the Fall of 2021. His dissertation addressed theological training in Christology. Dr. Hom states that the doctrines of Christ are the essence and foundation of all Christian theology. He previously completed his M.A. in Christian Education at SBTS. Dr. Hom joined the Nuuanu Baptist pastoral team in 2019 and continues to serve as Pastor of Discipleship and Administration. He is married to Melanie, and they have three children.
Send congratulations and encouragement to Dr. Hom at johnny@nuuanubaptist.org.
Puna Baptist Ordains and Installs Joseph Kim as Associate Pastor
Puna Baptist Church celebrated a milestone on Sunday, April 27, 2025, as they ordained and installed Associate Pastor Joseph K. Kim during an afternoon service. Senior Pastor Dr. Alan Tamashiro led the meaningful ceremony. Pastor Rob Thommarson and Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention's Executive DirectorTreasurer Craig Webb served as guest speakers. In a deeply moving moment, Pastor Chul Kim, Joseph's father, delivered a powerful Charge to the Candidate.
The occasion brought together pastors from across Hawaii Island to witness this significant step in Pastor Kim's ministry journey and to lay hands on him for his ordination. Following the service, members and guests enjoyed wonderful fellowship and delicious Hawaiian food.
Send your congratulations and encouragement to Pastor Joseph at sonshine.jk@gmail.com.
Dr. Johnny Hom with his wife Melanie
HPBC Church Planters UPDATE
God continues to bless our church planting efforts across the Pacific! We're excited to share updates on three amazing families stepping out in faith to reach new communities for Christ.
The Coppenbargers are making tremendous progress with preparing to start Valor Church to serve the Pearl Harbor/Hickam military community on Oahu. They're planning to launch worship services on August 17, 2025.
The Setes arrived on Oahu in June and are pursuing their God-given vision to reach Polynesians for Christ on Oahu. Nasa and Caroline have wonderful support from Gospel City Church in Indiana as their sending church and GracePoint Church in Mililani as their local partner. GracePoint (Mililani) pastor, James Shiroma, traveled to Indiana in May to participate in Nasa’s ordination and commissioning.
The Brennans relocated in May from Wyoming to Keaau on Hawaii Island, where Mike and Monica are combining church planting with their important work preventing human trafficking.
Learn more about them and our other HPBC church planter families here: hpbaptist.net/churchplanting
Yokohama Baptist, Kona Baptist, and Partner Churches in Japan Send Mission Team of 20
By Glynis Keefer, , Kona Baptist Secretary and Office Manager
In April, Yokohama International Baptist Church (YIBC), Kona Baptist Church (KBC), and members of other local Japanese churches partnered to send a team of 20 volunteers to a two-day English Camp. The team shared the gospel with 150 eighth-grade girls from Yokohama Jogakuin Junior and Senior High School. Although Yokohama Jogakuin is a Christian school, less than 20% of the staff and students are Christians.
The camp’s theme was John 3:16, and activities included a gospel presentation, worship, testimonies, games, crafts, small group discussions, and prayer. By the end, some students shared that they finally understood why Jesus came and that they wanted to learn more about God.
Additionally, the KBC mission team co-hosted the English Cafe, a monthly outreach program of YIBC, to encourage adults to practice English through games and conversations while building relationships with their neighbors. The KBC team shared Hawaiian fun facts, Kona coffee, snacks, and hula with 45 participants. Praise God for His provision in creating these opportunities to share the gospel and plant seeds through English Camp and Cafe.
Gospel Living Conference Hosted by Kahului Baptist
By Robert Miller
Kahului Baptist Church on Maui hosted the Gospel Living Conference on May 24, 2025. Jeff King, the Community Discipleship Pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, led all three sessions. Pastor King discussed the importance of getting the gospel right and effectively communicating its powerful message to both the church and the community.
Immanuel Baptist Church, where King serves, was the home church of numerous Maui students who attended either Boyce College or The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and later returned home to serve in our churches. Approximately 75 people participated in this Maui event from both Baptist and neighboring churches.
Jay Haynes serves as pastor of Kahului Baptist Church.
The conference was supported in part by a generous gift from the Alex and Bell Waterhouse Lecture Series.
Welcoming John Williams: Our New Manager of Operations
We're excited to introduce John Williams, who joined the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention team on January 1, 2025, as our new Manager of Operations. John and his wife, Gay, have been serving voluntarily as our HPBC Directors of Disaster Relief, and we're thrilled that John has
taken on this important operational role on a part-time basis.
John oversees the day-to-day management of HPBC properties and assets, ensuring our facilities are well-maintained and aligned with our mission. He has tackled numerous critical projects with remarkable efficiency, including coordinating the rebuilding of a safety-hazardous fire escape at our dorms and managing roof repairs across multiple Vancouver properties following February's heavy rains.
Beyond property maintenance, John is spearheading our IT infrastructure overhaul, by consolidating internet contracts to reduce costs while improving security. Most exciting is his leadership in deploying Salesforce as our comprehensive database management system, with a mid-August rollout planned.
John's technical expertise and collaborative spirit make him invaluable as we steward the resources God has entrusted to us.
John and Gay Williams
Jeff King, Community Discipleship Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky
Celebrating a Century of Cooperation: Reflection from Memphis
By Craig Webb
Southern Baptist leaders gathered in Memphis, Tennessee, on May 13, 2025, for a significant milestone— the 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Program. This historic celebration took place just 100 yards from where messengers first approved this revolutionary funding strategy in 1925, exactly 100 years to the day.
The Cooperative Program represents Southern Baptists' unified plan of giving, through which cooperating churches contribute a percentage of their undesignated receipts to support state conventions and the SBC's global missions and ministries.
Craig Webb, executive director-treasurer of the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention, signs the Declaration of Cooperation during the Cooperative Program Centennial Celebration in Memphis on May 13, 2025, joining 73 other Southern Baptist leaders in reaffirming commitment to unified missions giving.
Led by Dr. Tony Wolfe of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, this Centennial Celebration brought together 73 Southern Baptist leaders from across the nation, including Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention Executive Director-Treasurer Craig Webb. These leaders signed a Declaration of Cooperation, reaffirming their commitment to this vital strategy for funding global missions and ministry.
Dr. Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing that the Cooperative Program was born in adversity as a "never-before-attempted method of funding shared ministry." Through this cooperative approach, Southern Baptists have sent missionaries, started churches, strengthened congregations, trained leaders, and built hospitals, children's homes, and colleges worldwide.
For Hawaii Pacific Baptists—spread across multiple islands and countries—cooperation remains essential, not optional. This centennial celebration reinforces the commitment to continue sending, starting, strengthening, training, and building for God's glory across the Pacific and beyond.
Read more about this historic gathering at https://tinyurl.com/century-of-cooperation
Below: Southern Baptist leaders gather in Memphis on May 13, 2025, for the Cooperative Program Centennial Celebration, marking 100 years of unified giving for missions and ministry. Seventythree leaders signed a Declaration of Cooperation at this historic gathering, held just 100 yards from where the Cooperative Program was first approved in 1925. Photo by Jim Veneman.
HPBC Videos Receive Top Awards
By Brandon Pickett
At the 70th Annual Baptist Communicators Association Workshop, the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention (HPBC) received top awards for two video stories that were produced in partnership with Innovative Faith Resources (IFR).
HPBC Executive Director-Treasurer Craig Webb feels this is an affirmation of the power of telling incredible God stories. “The investment we've made in having the IFR team travel across the country and the Pacific has paid dividends beyond measure,” Webb said. “Their videos don't just inform—they inspire and connect hearts across our far-reaching convention.”
The Maui Fire Update took first place, capturing both the heartbreak of the fire and the hope
found in the response. The second-place honor went to the Sue Nishikawa Offering video, which highlighted the powerful impact of missions across the Pacific.
Webb shared that, “the Maui fires update video powerfully conveyed both the devastation our community faced and the incredible response from our HPBC churches and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers nationwide.”
“For the past decade, it’s been an incredible blessing to partner with IFR,” Craig shared. “Their videos don’t just document events— they inspire and connect hearts across our far-reaching convention.”
Watch these stories, special events, and Pastors Forum speakers in our library: hpbaptist.net/video-resources
Ministry Multiplied Through National Collegiate Partnerships
By Hannah Denney
Baptist Collegiate Ministries, O’ahu, has a unique opportunity to labor together as a singular ministry on the University of Hawaii, Mānoa campus, and with other Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) all over the country. This past year, BCM O’ahu partnered with four ministries: Northern Arizona University Christian Challenge, Carson Newman BCM, Louisiana State University BCM, and Oklahoma University BCM.
With the help of these ministries and BCM O’ahu’s growing ministry, the gospel was shared over 300 times. Thirty college students dedicated their lives to Christ, and 15 of those are in discipleship relationships; five were baptized. These sister ministries’ impact on UH Mānoa Campus was amazing, and each team gave the BCM O'ahu staff and interns a boost because of their continued labor on campus and of pouring into college students what God has placed in their paths.
BCM O’ahu was not the only ministry these teams blessed. They reached out to the rest of the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention by working with Hāmama Community Church and Pu’u Kahea Camp and Conference Center. Through harvesting kalo and
prepping overgrown patches, harvesting cacao, and major weeding, landscaping, and cleaning, the impact of this one week of students, from these sister ministries, coming out and loving on our island and community was huge. It is a continued blessing, as BCM O'ahu looks to cultivate and continue these partnerships in the future.
Campaign for Transformation Nears a Major Milestone
By Billie K. Takaki Lueder
Thanks to the generous support of our community, the Campaign for Transformation is bearing fruit. We’re excited to announce that Hawai‘i Baptist Academy’s new Innovation and Discovery Center will open at the start of the school year on August 4! This dynamic space will feature a Learning Commons, Collab Lab, Innovation Station, outdoor amphitheater, and a rooftop deck designed to inspire creativity, collaboration, and faith-filled learning. A newly renovated lower courts area with three striped basketball/volleyball courts is also part of this exciting transformation.
The Campaign also includes the Institute of Hope endowment, which will support programs that help our students and greater community live out HBA’s calling: Christ for Every Nation. Mahalo for being part of what God is doing through this generation and the next.
We’re planning a grand opening celebration in September—stay tuned for details!
For more information, visit: hba.net/transformation.
2025 Second Quarter Summary
Dear Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention Ohana, I am pleased to report that the HPBC Executive Board met on May 9, 2025, at Life Christian Church, with attendance both in-person and virtually. The meeting was productive and focused on achieving the convention's mission and objectives.
Significant Actions:
1. Financial Stewardship: The Board approved the 2024 audited financial statements, which received a clean (unmodified) opinion for another consecutive year from CW Associates. Our convention's finances remain stable, with operations running at a surplus for the first quarter, despite CP giving being slightly below forecast. We are grateful to the Executive DirectorTreasurer, Dr. Craig Webb, and Finance Director, Monica Kang, for their careful stewardship of the convention’s resources.
2. Leadership Development: The Board approved a $12,000 Leadership Development Initiative for Jeff Fisher of Kihei Baptist Chapel, continuing our commitment to investing in the development of ministry leaders.
3. Organizational Alignment: The Board recommended that both Hawaii Baptist Academy and Hawaii Baptist Foundation update their constitutions and bylaws to maintain unity and consistency across our convention. We remain committed to discovering tangible and significant ways to partner with our agencies for the gospel.
4. Pu'ukahea Conference Center: Fundraising efforts have begun with the Hawaii Baptist Foundation contributing $10,000 for renova-
tions and several O’ahu churches committing other significant financial gifts for Pu’ukahea projects. A subcommittee task group will assist in developing plans to eliminate deficit spending and ensure sustainable future operations at Pu'u Kahea.
5. Abuse Prevention: The Communications Committee has finalized a multi-channel reporting system for sexual abuse concerns, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to creating safe ministry environments.
The Board also began reviewing the proposed 2026 budget and updated Personnel Policy manual, with final approvals scheduled for our August meeting.
We remain committed to the executive director regarding the strategic priorities of supporting pastors and their families, strengthening our churches, and planting new churches. Our next meeting is scheduled for August 22, 2025, at Mililani Baptist Church.
I invite you to mark your calendars and plan to attend our Annual Meeting in Kona, at the Kona Outrigger Resort on November 20-21, 2025. This will be an encouraging time of fellowship and worship, with moments set aside to conduct the necessary business of our convention.
Serving with joy,
Brian Frable President, HPBC Executive Board
For information on HPBC's Annual Meeting, visit: hpbaptist.net/event/2025-annual-meeting
