Hawaii Conference
The Love Reality Tour Transforms
T
Evangelism
he Love Reality Tour (LRT) recently capped the first year of its journey through the Hawaiian Islands with a two-week meeting at Honolulu Central church. Attendees said that the LRT presentation clarified the gospel in a simple yet deeply insightful way. “It was the pieces that we’re used to, but put together in a new, penetrating way,” said Pastor Bill Payne of Honolulu Central.
Conceived as a way to communicate biblical truths to young adults, LRT was initially a curriculum designed to engage summer camp staff with scriptural truths. The goals were to minister to the camp staff as they ministered to campers and to set a gospel foundation for their faith that could have a lasting impact. The initial reaction to the LRT message was positive, with camp staff reporting, “If this is what Adventism is about, this is something I can get down with.” Seeing the impact on summer camp staff, Youth Director Erik VanDenburgh invited speaker Jonathan Leonardo to spend some time on the Islands sharing the message locally. “This message is too good to just simply keep at summer camp,” said VanDenburgh. With a generous grant awarded by
the Pacific Union’s creative evangelism fund, LRT expanded into a 9-day revival series. LRT began holding meetings in March with the goal of presenting a gospel message of confidence rooted in God’s love. Participants explored themes of identity, purpose, and worth in light of the Father’s love and explored the depth of what the Bible means when it says “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Hawaii Conference President Ralph Watts encouraged churches to participate and invite the community. “The message is powerful! The LRT team has done a wonderful job of presenting a gospel of liberty and confidence that reveals the love of God.” The series was initially aimed at young adults but has grown into a multi-generational event, with some
of the strongest responses coming from children and teens. “If it were not for our kids dragging us out of the house we would have never heard the message,” said a Kona couple that attended the meetings. “We’re so thankful that we came. We did it for the kids, but it hit home with us.” The LRT team consists of speaker Jonathan Leonardo, Youth Director Erik VanDenburgh, and young adult pastoral interns and volunteers. “The true success of LRT has been the continued mentoring of our young adults, who are the future of the church,” said Vandenburgh. “Doing full-time ministry where they can lead out and hear the gospel has been life changing for them.” Yuto Suzuki, pastoral intern at Japanese Manoa, shared his experience with the tour in this way: “It’s changed me from the inside out.” The Love Reality Tour continues in 2018 with a series in Hilo February 2-10. For more information on how to bring the LRT team to your area, visit www.theloverealitytour.com. (Far Left) LRT Speaker Jonathan Leonardo. (Left) Closing night at Kahului Church. (Below) Worship at Honolulu Central Church.
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