Hawaii Conference
Kahului Church Says Aloha to Pastors Rivera and Khrapov
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loha means both farewell and welcome in Hawaiian, and that’s what the Kahului church has expressed to two dedicated families during a year of transition. They bid farewell with much love to former Pastor Juan Rivera and his wife, Judith, who served Kahului for more than a decade and oversaw the shift to a new church building. “I will always remember Pastor Rivera telling me to look to Jesus, stay focused on the cross, never turn back and be strong,” said Margaret Texeira. Then, the congregation welcomed Pastor Vassili Khrapov, his wife, Marina, and their two sons, Samuel and David, in March 2016. They came to Maui after 10 years on the Big Island. The selection process was an overwhelming “yes” from the church board. Khrapov has a doctorate in ministry from Andrews University and was ordained in 1999. His experience in ministry and love for God qualify him to handle the everyday needs of the members, the business of the church and the relationship with the community at large. The Khrapov family is still in transition between the Big Island and Maui. But even while flying back and forth, closing one home and opening up another, he has kept up with appointments and successfully From Russia to Hawaii, Pastor Vasili and Marina Khrapov continue to preach the Adventist message throughout the world. shepherded a new church family. Khrapov’s objective is to serve, teach and love as Jesus did. He focuses on a personal faith relationship with Jesus while supporting and embracing both members and nonmembers in worship, nurture and community outreach. He takes inspiration from Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know.” “With this in mind, I would like to pursue my work here by talking to God and see what God is asking me directly to do,” he said. “With the Lord, everything is possible if I will simply be dedicated to Him. I’m looking forward to the Kahului church to bring more people to Christ.” The church’s vision for 2017 includes focusing on prayer, marriage and health. In January, the “10 Days of Prayer” seminar brought members to the church each night to pray for each other. In February, Khrapov held a series called “Mad about Marriage,” and a health seminar, “New Life,” begins in March. Marina Khrapov brings her experience as a medical social worker. Samuel graduated with a Give glory to the LORD and proclaim biology degree from His praise in the islands. ~ Isaiah 42:12 Walla Walla University Local church communication in 2015, and is now RSVP coordinator training — news attending medical by March 30 to writing, social media and more! Tracy Mcguire • 808-595-7591 school in Curaçao. Meanwhile, David is a SUNDAY, APRIL 9 junior biology major at Walla Walla. 2:30–5:30 p.m. Ministry Training Center Colleen Uechi and 2728 PALI HWY • HONOLULU, HI 96817 Pastor Juan and Judith Rivera leave Kahului for retirement after decades of dedication to the church.
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Lehua Jackson
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