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September 1 marks the beginning of the new church year and Church of God General Assembly period. Although we can never know the specifics of the future, with Jesus we can move into the future with hope and expectation. One writer defined hope as “the happy anticipation of good.” It is with this kind of happy anticipation that we look forward to what God has for us during this church year and Church of God General Assembly period. Hawaii Church of God faces significant challenges, yet it is with genuine hope that we approach each one, confident in our God and his faithfulness. I expect that God will far exceed my limited ability to dream.
Over the past two years, Candie and I have more clearly understood something we have known vaguely for years. When we look at all the challenges it is easy to get overwhelmed and despair of what to do. When we realize, however, that we cannot do everything, but rather ask God to reveal his specific assignment(s) for us, we are able to boldly move forward. We have also found that when we move obediently to fulfill the assignments God has for us, he supplies all that we need to accomplish all he has intended. He is unlimited in his abilities, resources, knowledge, authority and power.
I encourage you to daily ask God what he has assigned for you to do that day. Focus your energy, strength, time, and creativity on what he assigns. I am confident you will find a new level of peace, accomplishment, and joy. I can’t wait to see and hear the testimonies of all God does in, for, and through you. Together we will live with hope and expectation. Together we will focus on God’s assignments for us. Together we will live in the realm of the miraculous.
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We love you and are praying for you. | |
Bishop J. Rob Taylor
Administrative Bishop
Church of God in Hawaii
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Bishop Rob and Candie Taylor | |
Bishop Brian & Zara Whitelock | |
As summer has come and gone, we find ourselves on the brink of an exciting new chapter for the 2024-2025 school year. The energy and enthusiasm we’ve witnessed over the summer have set the stage for what promises to be an incredible year ahead. Our youth are more engaged than ever, and we are committed to building on this momentum to create even more opportunities for spiritual growth and service.
God is truly at work, paving the way for new beginnings and blessings in the lives of our youth. Let us embrace this new season with open hearts, ready to see all that He has in store.
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Aloha from the Hawaii Youth & Discipleship Department |
A special shout-out to our CAMS 4 Students Committee—Rev. Sy, Rev. Tony & Kylie, Rev. Benita, Rev. Tae, and Rev. Eli. We recently gathered to plan out this brand-new program, which will officially launch in January 2026. Stay tuned for more details!
Another big mahalo to Good News Christian Fellowship for hosting our first Rattle Rally. Pastor Louie, Rev. Mark John, Rev. Stef, and their amazing youth and worship team did an outstanding job. Mark your calendars—the next Rally Rally will be with Jesus Is Alive on September 27th. We look forward to seeing you there!
As we journey together through this new school year, may we continue to seek God’s guidance in all that we do. Let us remain steadfast in prayer, united in purpose, and committed to nurturing the faith of our youth. Together, we can make this year one of growth, transformation, and abundant blessings.
Pastor Brian
Pastor Brian
YD
Church of God in Hawaii
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Connecting churches to each other, the church to the community and the community to Christ | |
Installation of Pastor James Jimenez in Kona
At an ocean side celebration service, Bishop Rob Taylor and Pastor June Guevara officially installed Pastor James Jimenez as the lead pastor of Cross Point Church of God in Kona. The August 11 service was attended by members of the Cross Point Church and supported by both the Hilo Church of God and the Kona Church of God.
Pastor Jimenez has joined the church by zoom for over a year as he was working through the immigration process. Gratitude was expressed to DO Guevara for his faithful service of pastoring Cross Point for 11 years in addition to his assignment at the Hilo Church of God. The weekly 2 hour round-trip drive served as worship for he and Rev. Len Guevara.
All in attendance enjoyed a celebration meal together.
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Rivers of Grace Church of God, Hilo
Bishop and Candie Taylor were on hand to celebrate the incredible things happening at RoG CoG on the Island of Hawaii. The August 11, 2024 celebration included involvement from the youth and children. This year, RoG sent 15 students to youth camp. The youth camp rate decrease made bringing 21 people from the Island of Hawaii a realistic endeavor.
Pastor Miguel and the church believe God for the ability to reach more families for Christ. Their excitement of investing in others is contagious at the Church.
Congratulations to Pastor Miguel and Charisma Hernandez and the ministry team at Rivers of Grace Church of God. Your heart for your community mirror's the heart of God.
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A Miracle in the Making
July 11, 2024, while working at the church, Pastor Teofilo Andres suffered a massive stroke and brain bleed. The Doctors told him that most people do not survive a stroke of this kind. Pastor Andres spent 6 weeks in the hospital and rehab. He has made remarkable strides. The photo on the left is the first Sunday out of Rehab and Pastor Andres desired to preach the word. He worked with his occupational therapist for his sermon prep.He pastors the beautiful Jesus is Alive Church of God on the North Shore of Oahu.
The video is Pastor Andres sharing the testimony of how God saved his life and has brought him miraculous recovery. The photo underneath depicts a prayer time with Pastor Andres, Sister Andres and Bishop Taylor. Pastor knows it was the prayers of the redeemed that helped him through.
His sister came to visit him from the Philippines. While showering, she suffered a stroke as well. She made a great recovery and has since returned home to the Philippines. She is pictured in the wheelchair with her brother.
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Rattle Rally at Good News August 23, 2024 | |
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On August 15, 2024, Bishop Taylor and Youth Director, Brian Whitelock traveled to Maui for a very long and very active day. Rev. Ian Mateo accompanied them, as he is the chairman of the Maui Committee of Action. Their agenda began at 9:00 AM and ended with the last flight out of Maui.
First, they met with the Revs. Jason and Jeralyn Albino for a discussion of the first church plant that has been birth by displacement of the Lahaina fire victims. The ensuing year has demonstrated that the resiliency of the ICF CoG congregation became bolder and stronger in the wake of the fires.
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Afterwards, they traveled to the ICF Property to see the results of the clean up from the county. The gravel has been spread since the photos were taken. It occurred to them as they were on the location, that they were there at the one year anniversary of the first time on property after the fire. Rev. Ian Mateo took advantage of the opportunity to take a one year later video with Pastor Jason Albino. You can watch both videos below.
| Ian Mateo and Rev. Jason Albino one week after the fire August 15, 2023 | Rev. Ian and Jason Albino on location one year later-August 15, 2024 | |
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After the property visit, the team met with a newly appointed committee of action, who will be seeing the building reconstruction of the Wailuku property. A plan was laid out and those who lived on the island were assigned tasks to help with the property clean-up. The Wailuku building had been so badly damaged by termites, that the two previous congregations had to vacate. Prior to the fire, the State Council felt no recourse but to sale the property and look for something that did not require the work needed.The fire issues had taken precedence over the Wailuku property. The Lahina Fire has created a sharp increase in property values and need for business property. It now seems that the best action is to repair the building and use the location for the new church to be organized by the Albino family.
After the fire and what we have found through the Ewa Beach reconstruction, the Committee of Action had come up with a viable plan to repair the building and provide safe housing for Sister Hoopai. The Life in Christ Church, has found that they are being called to reach Kahului area and will remain in that part of the island.
Following the Wailuku property meeting, Bishop Taylor, Pastor Brian and Rev. Ian met with the ICF CoG Church Board. They discussed the current budgets and the property. Again assignments were made and plans of actions were set. Although the property is cleared of debris and ready to go for reconstruction, the timeline to rebuild is not as clearly set as we would like. So much infrastructure of the town was lost in the fire, at this time, the official word from the county is no now knows when they will get the water and electric viable so properties can begin to be rebuilt. The church board, although eager to rebuild and resume worship in Lahiana knows that God is still God even in the waiting.
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Mark Your Calendar for These Events | |
Be sure to check our website often for updates and more information. HawaiiCOG.Org | |
Affirming every individual & his or her calling | |
Calling and Ministry Studies for Students | Case Studies A leadership pipeline designed to help individuals, at a young age, identify, answer, and develop the call of God on their lives. This ministry formation process will ultimately lead to equipping and empowering young leaders into healthy ministries around the world. | | | |
Resourcing the local church and ministers | |
GA24 HARVEST NOW GRAPHIC RESOURCES
Download the graphic logo resources for the Harvest Now theme in English and Español.
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Evangelizing to Win Souls for the Kingdom | |
Serving Each Other, Our Communities, Hawaii & Our World | |
Weekly Prayer Force Reminders | |
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Maui Action Committee Members
Rev. Ian Mateo, Chairman
Jerry Recamara, DO
Orlando Lamson
Jason Albino
Jason Agonoy
Syrah Vergara, ICF CoG Church Administrator
Bill Harrison MOWA
Wayne and Mary White, Consultants
The committee will develop proposals and plan of action to be approved by State Overseer and submitted to the State Council. They will work within the budget of funds having been raised.
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Hawaii CoG Mission's Blitz Projects Continue
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A "quick" door change for the church entry and restrooms equated to a quick change of plans. Termite damage caused the walls to fall once the frames were removed. | |
Most of the front wall of the church was completely destroyed by termites. The replaced wall is set off by a rock face. | |
Pastor Brian and volunteers worked relentlessly to make sure the renting churches had working restroom facilities for Sunday service. | |
The living quarters are remodeled. The floors are being installed. | |
Maranatha Church of God
Fence Install
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The fence is installed at Maranatha CoG on Kauai. | | | | |
