April 2024

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Easter is over. Now what? 


The good news of the gospel is that Jesus is forever alive. The message of the cross and resurrection are not limited to a season of the year or a date on the calendar. All around us are people who need the good news of Jesus Christ. A recent Pew Research report tells us that only 28% of the population of Hawaii attends church at least once per week. The research report further states that only 38% attend between once per month to a few times per year. While these numbers only tell part of the story, what they do tell us as the Church of God in Hawaii is that the harvest fields all around us are ripe. In every community where we have a Church of God congregation, we must be intentional and purposeful in reaching out to the lost and hurting. 


Jesus came to earth as fully God but also fully human. His humanity enables him to understand what we all deal with as humans. He is touched by what we feel, by what we struggle against, by whatever comes our way. His deity enables him to minister uniquely and powerfully to each one of us, right where we are in life. There is no doubt that there are people within walking distance of where you are as you are reading this article right now, who are desperate for such good news. Why not tell them about Jesus? 


Several years ago I had the privilege of being in a small gathering where Chinese house church Pastor Allen Yaun shared his heart. One of the most powerful messages he conveyed was this: “If you will preach the gospel, someone will believe.” As simple as that sounds, let’s take it to heart and recommit our lives to “preaching” the gospel. In every way, at every opportunity let’s share the good news of Jesus Christ. If we all do this, Hawaii will experience genuine revival.


I pray that this post-Easter season is the most productive you have ever had in preaching the gospel, seeing souls saved, and lives changed. Candie and I love you, are praying for you, and are excited to hear the repots of all that God does in and through your life in the days to come.





Bishop J. Rob Taylor

Administrative Bishop

Church of God in Hawaii


Bishop Brian & Zara Whitelock


Aloha from the Hawaii Youth & Discipleship Department 



Is Jesus Enough? Why is Jesus Enough?
Because it is only in Jesus that we can find…
The fullness of grace and truth (John 1:14) Grace that is sufficient for the great need that we have (2 Cor 12:9-10) Redemption from our lost state (Col 1:14 Forgiveness for all our sins and shortcomings (Eph 1:7) The fullness of God (Col 1:19) Righteousness to stand before the holy God (2 Cor 5:2 Peace with God the Father (Rom 5:1) Eternal life where we will find the fullness of joy and pleasure forevermore (John 3:16Psa 16:11) Victory where we overcome (1 John 5:4) A Savior willing to sacrifice everything for God’s glory and our good (Rom 3:23-26) Adoption into the family of God (Eph 1:5)This list is only getting started, but I think you get the idea…
When you have all of this, what else do you really need?
So What Do We Mean When We Say, "Jesus is Enough?"Jesus is our supreme treasure. Jesus is our greatest joy. Jesus is the reward of the Gospel. Jesus satisfies our deepest needs and longings. Jesus is more than all we could ever need. Jesus is more than all we could ever want. Jesus is the source of your truest identity and greatest hope. Giving Jesus all we have is our delight and the wisest of all investments. If all else is lost, but we still have Jesus, we have everything.
“Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”” (John 6:35)
“Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”" (John 4:13-14)
Until Jesus is enough nothing else will be!
It’s not Christ plus something else, Jesus is Enough. You don’t realize Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have!
Beth Moore – Blessed are those who need God enough to know Him enough to know He’s enough! Jesus is enough for me!
Please in prayer with us as our upcoming Got Talent & Youth Camp is approaching. 

Pastor Brian

Pastor Brian

YD

Church of God in Hawaii

Connecting churches to each other, the church to the community and the community to Christ

Maui Update


The Book of Acts is a powerful chronicle that details the work of the early church in the height of persecution. Yes, men and women were baptized in the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, over 3000 were added to the church. The biggest miracle was when the church was dispersed all over the region. They lived their lives out loud for God. Churches were formed as men and women shared the story of Jesus while living empowered lives.


If the Bible were being written today, the Book of Maui would read very similarly. Members of International Christian Fellowship Church of God were displaced as their church, homes, and neighborhoods burned. Now relocated and separated from their familiar surroundings, and many without vehicles, they have started bible studies with others in their new housing situations.


First, they were having bible study in the hotels they were assigned. Now, as they have transitioned to semipermanent housing, they see it as more opportunity to live an empowered life for Christ to lead communities to him.


March marked the 37th Anniversary of the Church. During the celebration, Pastor Mariano shared how the church was birthed through prayer meetings around his truck in the sugar cane fields of Maui. Now, after a catastrophic experience, the church is still a beacon in Maui for those who need refreshing.


Worshipping in a borrowed facility did not dampen the mood. Jesus borrowed his tomb and changed the world. We figured we were in good company.


Currently, Hawaii Church of God is working with the state and the civil engineering agencies to grant right of entry for property clearing. The state and federal agencies will oversee debris removal for the amount covered by insurance. Considering the contamination and hazardous materials that may be present, we are blessed to get these removed without us being at risk.



Fun Fact About the Lahaina Property

The Lahaina property was purchased by the Church of God on May 23, 1933 for $256.00. Do you know how much land one can purchase today for $256? Make a circle with your index finger and thumb. You can purchase half of that circle for $256.00.


Photo by Simeon Birkenstock on Unsplash

While the rest of the world may have continued as normal, those in Lahaina have not. The Hawaii Church of God continues to work in Maui alongside relief organizations. Currently, we are assisting with ministerial education, governmental and insurance needs, and working toward rebuilding. Because of your partnership, the Lahaina Churches of God continue today. Your gift can be designated to where you would like to invest. Any undesignated gifts will go toward the rebuilding of the church facilities.

Gift for the On-going Need in Maui


Coming Events

Youth Department Car Wash Donations
Hawaii's Got Talent Registration
Student Registration
Worker Registration
General Assembly Links

Be sure to check our website often for updates and more information. HawaiiCOG.Org


Affirming every individual & his or her calling

April Birthdays


1 Diana Mariano

13 Lucy Palmer

13 Eli Whitelock

18 Stephanie Daniels

19 Wayne White


Photo by Robert Anderson on Unsplash



Minister Testing

May 4, 2024


Anyone who has completed CAMS may test for Exhorter license. Anyone who has completed MIP previously, and anyone advancing to Ordained Bishop, being qualified according to the Church of God Book of Minutes, may test. Intention to test must be made April 30, 2024


Credentialing Page

Resourcing the local church and ministers

It's Tax Season! Here Are Some Resources to Help

Church of God Benefits Board


One of the many benefits of ministry in the Church of God is that one is never alone. The church, minister and church treasurer has resources to help navigate the seemingly murky waters of finances and tax law. Art Rhodes and the staff at Church of God Benefits Board have provided many materials to help with making sure all we do is within the legal limits.

About

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Benefits Board

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Free Manuals for Church Treasurers and Ministers


Free Webinars with Art Rhodes

Free Manuals for Church Treasurers and Ministers

these and other manuals are available here for free

Evangelizing to Win Souls for the Kingdom



Micheal Ball Ministries

Serving Each Other, Our Communities, Hawaii & Our World


serving through Almas Closet

Hawaii CoG Mission's Blitz Projects Continue

Hawaii is an Island of abundance. There is abundant sunshine, ocean and sand, and termites…Yikes!


Did you know there are 7 termite species we must contend with at any given time? Every shipping container may be hosting the arrival of our next new gnawing neighbor. 


  • Drywood termites: Kalotermes approximatus and Incisitermes minor
  • Subterranean termites: Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flavipes
  • Dampwood termites: Neotermes castaneus and Zootermopsis angusticollis
  • Conehead termites: Nasutitermes corniger


Pest control is a necessary and expensive need for our island homes and churches. There is a risk of loosing the complete building to termite damage due to untreated infestations. COVID closures made termite pest fumigation more complicated as local churches struggled to survive week-to-week. 


With the support of Church of God World Missions and matching partnerships, tenting season and repairs have begun.


Our church on the North Shore received its tenting in March. Jesus Is Alive Fellowship Church and Parsonage are termite and pest free. Along with the 5 year treatment of tenting, the next 12 monthly treatments to keep pests at bay are paid in advance.Youth Director's wife, Rev. Zara Whitelock oversaw all the tenting projects on the Islands. From Contract signing to treatment day, she helped each partnership be the successful venture it was.


The mission blitz partnership isnt limited to pest treatment and repairs, although worthy of it. The next partnership check was to join the Honolulu Church of God in the painting project. Built in 1941, during World War II, the Honolulu Church continues to be a beacon of Hope. It stands without wavering in an ever changing community to share the Gospel of an unchanging God.


Prayer Force

Samaritan's Purse: Service Opportunities

Samaritan's Purse provides emergency relief to victims of tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters in the United States and around the world.

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