September 2023

August 8-September 6: Out of the Ashes into Hope

In the initial days of walking through the Maui Fire Disaster in Lahaina, Candie and I were doing our family devotions. God spoke to us words that have served as an ongoing inspiration, especially as the adrenaline of the first few days faded and the immensity of the work became clearer. He said, “In times of crisis you will either define the moment or it will define you.” As we thought about this we determined that we would define the moment by leading with integrity, compassion, and a view of the bigger picture. We refuse to allow it to define us as victims, as leaders in a panic, or anything else. We are already talking about how we can capitalize on the scattering of our people to various communities across Maui to give us an opportunity to develop new church plants in those communities.

One of the realities of leadership is that all leaders face times of challenge. Some challenges are larger than others but all come with the potential to make us or break us. The larger challenges are obvious in the ways they can destroy us. The smaller challenges may seem to offer very little threat. That in itself is a danger. If we faultier in the small challenges it can deceive us into thinking that how we respond to challenges doesn’t matter. We can easily develop bad habits in how we deal with tough situations. Those bad habits will later come back to harm us when the challenge is larger and the stakes are higher. I cannot help but think of the following words of wisdom proverbs.

Bishop Rob and Candie Taylor

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

Proverbs 3:5-8 NIV.

In His Hope,

Bishop Rob

Administrative Bishop

Church of God in Hawaii

Changing Phases but Not Our Focus

Although media coverage has waned, the need continues in Lahaina. There is a shift from the immediate and life saving relief to helping people navigate the new normal. We are helping individuals process what life will look like in the coming days, weeks, months, and possibly years to come.

NEED SPECIFIC GIVING LIST

GIVE HERE

Hawaii Church of God

Disaster Relief

PO Box 866

Aiea, HI 96701

We give our 100% with 100% of your contribution.

Our focus doesn't shift from the individual. Contrary, we are shifting with them. The shock of the fire and how it has ravaged their lives has dissipated. Now, the question is: Where do we go from here?

The plan consists of:

Connecting Individuals with Agencies
Providing Salaries for Pastors and Staff of 2 Churches
Planned Pastoral Support for Staff, Church Members from Both Local and State Level
Graduated Partnership Support for Operational Costs of the Churches
MIP and CAMS Scholarships and Flight Expenses for Fire Victims Registered
Scheduled Ministerial Care Appointments for Ministers Affected by Fire
Semi-Permanent Housing Arrangements for Those Needing Help
Semi-Permanent Location Secured for Church Worship Until Rebuild is Completed
Helping Those with Special Needs Individuals
Secured 2-years of Cloud Based Church Administrative and Accounting Software
Looking Ahead toward the Needs of the Future

Bishop Brian & Zara Whitelock

Aloha from the Hawaii Youth & Discipleship Department

We just want to say thank you to everyone who prayed, donated, and helped with our Relief to Maui. The devastation is beyond words. I had the opportunity to go with our Bishop to ground zero where our ICF COG building was. Standing where many have preached, many were saved, and many were changed was an overwhelming experience. The ground was still hot, and the smell was horrible. My mind went to Daniel 3:8-30 where the three Hebrew boys were in the fire.

FIRST HOW THEY ANSWERED TO WHAT WAS GOING ON

Look at What They Did Not Do

They were not Doubtful, They were not Resentful, They were not Fearful

Look At What They Did Do

Note their Trust

They had confidence that their God was able to deliver them.

Note their Testimony

The young men gave a testimony of faith and faithfulness. Talk is cheap, but actions take conviction.

Note their Tenacity

Let it be known, Even If He Doesn’t

The three Hebrew boys were committed to God no matter the outcome. Even if God did not intend to deliver them the way they desired, they were determined to be obedient. That is the proper attitude to have and to display.

SECOND WHAT THEY ACHIEVED

What did these young men accomplish when the heat was on?

They Revealed that God keeps His Promises

These young men achieved the state of believing exactly what God had said to them. They believed the Word of God.

They Revealed that God maintains His Presence

Once the three young men were thrown into the fire, the king looked in and saw not three but four men in the fire. There was a Fourth man in the furnace. When you and I go through the fires and trials of faith in a proper manner, the Son of God goes with us.

They Revealed that God provides His Power

Jesus did not come into the crisis of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to impress the heathen,

He was impressed with their faith

He was impressed with their trust

He was impressed with their obedience

We must ask ourselves WHEN THE HEAT IS ON, how do we respond?

I pray that we will response with Faith, Trust and Obedience, because God works out the Good for those who LOVE HIM.

Pastor Brian

Brian Whitelock

Youth and Discipleship Director

Church of God in Hawaii

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

Zoom Link

ChristySawyerMinistries

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

Affirming every individual & his or her calling.

September Birthdays

4 Louie Franco

5 Petra Padilla

14 Jason Albino

19 Teofilo Serrano

23 Toagamalu Brown

24 Rob Taylor

26 Len Guevarra

28 Joe Abell

Date Change Announced

Orientation September 9th

Resourcing the Minister & the Local Church

Be sure to check out the great stories of Hawaii CoG past and present. We are not just a mission state in the Church of God, we are a state with a Mission.

Engage Magazine | CoG Communications

Engage Journal is published three times a year (January, May, and September) and produced by Church of God Communications. The journal caters primarily to the interests of church leaders. including senior pastors, youth, children, music, and lay ministers. Current issue

Hawaii Church of God Spirit Care Representative, Cecilia Hoopai 808-757-2617

Evangelizing to Win Souls for the Kingdom

Resources for Ministering to Hurting Children

4 Focus-Areas for Creating a Trauma-Informed Ministry

Mental health principles from the trauma-informed care movement can make your ministry a healing, healthy space for all families.

Kim leads the kids and student teams at Crossroads Church, as well as their initiatives around adoption, foster care and vulnerable kids. Crossroads has sites in Ohio and Kentucky. Kim’s passion is creating fun and safe environments for all kids regardless of their background, energy level or unique needs. She also serves vulnerable kids and their families through community training and advocacy.

Serving Each Other, Our Communities, Hawaii & Our World

Pastor Keith and Susan Elliott

Hoʻomaikaʻi!

Congratulations to Keith and Susan Elliott as they celebrate 40 years erving Kona Church of God in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Only eternity will tell the impact of your faithfulness.

Cards and letters may be mailed to the Elliotts directly at:

PO Box 2095

Kailua-Kona HI 96745

This Prayer Force Focus for the coming two weeks will be focusing on lifting up the people of Maui who have been affected by the fire. Bishop and Sister Candie met with the ICFCOG church today and had an amazing worship service with the church, God is so great and it is a blessing to know that our Lahaina Ohana still have the joy of the Lord!

Bishop would like us to remember these specific needs as they pertain to the ICFCOG church and our Hawaii Church of God efforts to provide relief and begin the recovery process.

-The ICFCOG individual families are meeting with insurance agents as well as other agencies for various types of assistance.

-Multiple people from ICFCOG need new jobs as the places they have worked burned down.

-There is a continued need for donations to help with the ongoing expenses of the church.

-We are shipping a load of food and baby supplies on Wednesday. The Maui Disaster Relief Team will receive and distribute it once it arrives in port.

MISSING INDIVIDUALS AND GRIEVING FAMILIES

Pray for the safety and well-being of those who are still missing due to the wildfires, that they may be found and reunited with their loved ones. Also, pray for comfort, strength, and healing for the families who have lost loved ones in the wildfires, so that they may find solace in their time of grief.

HOLY SPIRIT COMFORT, STRENGTH, GUIDANCE

Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring comfort, strength, and guidance to all those affected by the wildfires, ministering to their hearts and providing them with the peace they need.

DISPLACED INDIVIDUALS AND CHILDREN'S EDUCATION

Pray for families who have lost their homes and possessions, that they may find shelter, support, and the necessary resources to rebuild their lives. Additionally, pray for the children who need to continue their education despite the upheaval, that they may find suitable places to go to school and receive the care they need.

SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS, DOCTORS, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

Pray for the safety, endurance, and effectiveness of the search and rescue groups working tirelessly to locate missing individuals and provide aid. Also, pray for the doctors and medical professionals attending to the injured and those in need of medical care, so that they may have the strength and wisdom to provide healing.

ECONOMY

Pray that the island may recover economically from the devastating loss of income that the loss of tourism and turmoil has caused.

LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT

Pray for wisdom, guidance, and strength for local, national, and church leaders involved in disaster response efforts, that they may make informed decisions and provide effective assistance. Pray also for Bishop Taylor and our state relief team. Pray that the Lord will inspire organizations, churches, and individuals to continue to donate and support to see this relief, recovery, and rebuilding mission succeed.

PRAYER NEEDS ACROSS THE STATE

-Pray for the incoming CAMS and MIP students who will be beginning their studies on Saturday, September 9

- Pray for Pastor Kathy Kekahuna in her recovery from her recent hospitalization.

- Continue to pray for Brother Tom Tioaquen for his ongoing health

- Pray for Sister Shirley Nanod as she has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatment.

- Pray for Pastor Brown’s ongoing health concerns.

- Pray for Sister Claudia as she ministers in her church

- Pray for Pastor Hoopai for her ongoing heart condition

- Pray that Brother Padilla can find a suitable organ donor for him as he undergoes dialysis for several hours every day.

May God bless you abundantly for your faithfulness.

In Christ's love,

Pastor Evan and Lucy Palmer

Prayer Force

Serve Teams During the Crisis-Once Again, We Did More Together Than Any of Us Could By Ourselves

Volunteering in Maui Recovery Through Hawaii Church of God and Samaritan's Purse Partnership

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.