February 2023
Connect - Hawaii Church of God strives to connect the churches to each other, the church with the community and the community to Christ
Bishop Rob and Candie Taylor

Candie and I recently visited with Sister Claudia Noah. We sat with her in her home and she shared memories of Pastor Robert and their amazing life together. The next day we attended the funeral of Lucille Elliott. During Sister Elliott’s funeral, family members took time to share personal memories that told a small bit of the story of her life.

In both our visit with Sis. Noah and in Sister Elliott’s funeral one thing stood out to me. How we relate to others is what will be remembered once we are gone. It is not so much the long list of whats that matter. What really matters, when it is all said and done, is the why and how. If we live with genuine love as our why and how, we will make a time and eternity difference to those with whom we interact. This is why Jesus said the distinguishing characteristic of those who follow him is love. 

As we enter February and much of the world focuses on love from a Valentine’s Day perspective (romantic and emotional), I encourage us as the Church of God in Hawaii to remember and reflect the genuine love (agape) of God to our world. Let’s remember that He first loved us. It is his love for us that sought us out when we were still sinners. It is his love that hugged us close and washed us clean when we cried out to him. It is his love that sustains us in our daily living, and promises us eternity. Let’s also reflect his love by authentically loving our families, our church family, and our communities. This kind of love (agape) is more than a feeling. Further, it is not weak nor compromising. It is an active caring for others, looking out for their best interests. May the Hawaii Church of God be a church overflowing with the God kind of love.
Bishop Rob
Administrative Bishop
Church of God in Hawaii
Bishop Brian and Zara Whitelock

Aloha, from the Hawaii Youth & Discipleship Department.

Do you remember how it felt to be young? I still am, so I don’t have to remember anything.  

As a child, I wanted to grow up so bad, but I have found growing up is not so easy. It’s like the difference between an automatic or stick shift vehicle. The automatic is easier because you don’t have to shift any gears just focus on the gas and breaks. Now with the stick shift you have to use the clutch and shift the gears based off traffic. Driving in city traffic can cause you to lose your Jesus, if you’re not careful. 

Growing Up is not automatic just like cultivating Spiritual Growth, it must be intentional. We as Christians need to understand there is no such thing as automatic Spiritual Growth. Nor is it reserved for a few select Christians.  

Growing older is mandatory. Growing up is optional.It’s a Choice! Spiritual Growth means maturing. Don’t think that just because you grow older, you are growing spiritually. We face times of immaturity such as times of sluggishness, stagnation, and selfishness.The solution is simple. Choose to press on. We need to grow up without blowing up. We need to grow up without giving up. We need to grow up without being torn up.  

Growing up brings growing pains. Growing up is hard. Growing up we will face droughts.Growing up we will face trial., Growing up, we will face storms. While growing up we will face temptations, Growing up we will face pain. Growing up we will face disappointments, hard knocks, brokenness, discouragement, and the results of bad decisions.

Let’s get real, as Dr. Phil would say. Growing up is part of life, but growing up spiritually is optional.  
Spiritual growth is not easy. We must work at it today, tomorrow, and always. Take the time to evaluate your spiritual growth.
 
Pastor 

Brian Whitelock
Youth and Discipleship Director
Church of God in Hawaii
Opportunities to Connect
Be sure to check our website often for updates and more information. We are working hard to make it a valuable resource. HawaiiCOG.Org
Updated Information Sheet for Women's Conference
Keep calm. Kauwela is coming!

Affirm - Hawaii CoG affirms every individual & his or her calling.
Are you between the ages of 16 and 116 and feel the call of God on your life to commit to be a minister of the Gospel? We are here to help you. Click on the New Minsiter/CAMS application and begin the process of walking in your calling for Christ.

Are you ready to advance to the next rank in ministry for the Church of God? We are here to help you. The next testing date is May 20, 2023 at 1:00 PM.
Congratulations to our fifteen (15) CAMS Candidates. Much Aloha and support from Hawaii Church of God. Pictured from Left to Right: Pastor Brian Whitelock (Board Member) , Charlie Villeburg, Tony Maganis, Pastor Alexander Torres, Pastor Evan Palmer (Board Member), Candie Taylor (Credentialing), Charletta Wilson, Jozie Hawthorn , Raquel Taguchi, Stephanie, Pati Seivers, Bishop Rob Taylor, John Mark, Joe Abell, Syrahlyn Vergara, Glenn Duquez Sr., Jeralyn and Jason Albino. Join us in praying for them as they complete the coursework, three seminars, and take their licensure test on May 20, 2023.

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15
We Celebrate:

February Birthdays


February 5 Al Tagayuna
February 15 Luke Whitelock
February 19 Aeto Atimua
February 24 Manuel Padilla
February 25. Candie Taylor
February 26. Charisma Hernandez
February 26. Edith Cortez



Photo by Bruce Tang on Unsplash
Resourcing - Hawaii CoG Resources the Minister & the Local Church
Faith News Network

Cleveland, TN-Lee University Online has been ranked among the 2023 Best Online Bachelor's Programs by U.S. News & World Report. It has also been ranked for its Online Master of Business Administration program. "The faculty and staff of Lee Online ...

Read more
www.faithnews.cc
Resources | Church of God Benefits Board

Financial planning resources: manuals, forms, tax info

Read more
www.benefitsboard.com
My life's vision is helping others succeed. 
– Sam Chand
Sam Chand is a leadership architect and consultant, author, change strategist, speaker - also known as dream releaser
Sam Chand Leadership Institute - Pay What You Can

Today, continuous learning forms a necessary part in acquiring critical thinking skills and discovering new ways of relating to people from different cultures. To live a life without continuous learning is unthinkable. Right now we will let you...

Read more
pages.samchand.com
Special hotel pricing available for registrants.
Evangelize - Hawaii CoG Evangelizes to Win Souls for the Kingdom
Evangelism: Sharing Your Faith with Others and How to...

What is evangelism? And how can you share your faith with those around you? Here are some big ideas to help you learn how to evangelize.

Read more
www.focusonthefamily.com
Recommended Reading
Best-selling author Rainer answers the question, "Why is it so difficult to share our love of Christ?" Learn why we hesitate. Identify common objections and how to respond confidently and gracefully. Discover the three greatest barriers to communicating the Gospel and how to overcome them. Then watch how God works through us to draw others to him! 192 pages, hardcover from Tyndale.

Serve - Hawaii CoG Exists to Serve One Another, Our Communities, Hawaii & Our World
As you pray for Hawaii, Partner with Bishop Taylor.

Ask Jehovah for:

  1. Stratagies
  2. Connections & Favor
  3. Resources
...that we need to complete the kingdom work.
Pastor Evan & Lucy Palmer-Serving through prayer. Submit prayer needs to the Palmers by clicking on their photo.

Pastors, watch your email for the prayer slides for the month.
Church of God World Missions
Church of God Women's Ministries
Church of God Women's Ministries impacts the world through Woman with a Mission. This year's project will help the children who are displaced by the war in Ukraine.There are some 100,000 orphans in need in Ukraine. With your support, we will rebuild lives, reestablish families, and provide transportation, clothing and food that will sustain these children throughout their journey home.
You can now report for Women's Ministries online. Go to Women's Page (https://www.hawaiicog.org/women) of our website. Scroll part of the way down. You will see the tab to do online reporting. There is also an option to download the paper form.

Selecting online reporting will send you to the report page. There you will select create new user and follow the instructions. You will need to have an email that is in our data base. If you are not sure, just send an email to assistant@hawaiicog.org. You will either be confirmed, or you will be added.

Mahalo, for all you do!