The change of season here in Hawaii is a little more subtle than many places on the mainland. When Candie and I lived in Ohio and Indiana, late September and early October brought a noticeable cool down. Mid-October to November brought a colorful display of changing leaves, painting a beautiful picture of God’s creativity. Then came frost, and freeze warnings with the leaves turning dull brown and falling to the ground.

Here in Hawaii the temperatures fluctuate only a little as fall arrives and leads toward winter. The sky remains brilliant blue with an ever-changing pattern of clouds. In Aiea, it seems many mornings begin with rain. It's not all-day pouring rains, but enough to produce vivid rainbows across the island landscape, before marching out to sea.

We have seen more rainbows since living in Hawaii than in all the rest of our lives combined. On a recent daily walk, we witnessed one such rainbow. Amazingly we could see both ends, though no mythical pot of gold appeared on either side. I caught myself staring at the beauty of God’s handiwork. The rainbow was so bright that not only over the dark clouds but even in front of the blue sky its colors popped. Throughout the rest of the day my mind, several times, drifted back to the rainbow. I tried to imagine what it must have been like for Noah when he caught a glimpse of that first rainbow after the flood.

He didn’t understand the scientific principle of water droplets forming a prism and coloring the light visible below. He was simply awestruck and immediately recognized this was the work of God, the very God who had preserved his life through the ark. In Genesis chapter 9 the account of this event is recorded. In this account we find the significance of the rainbow Noah saw in the sky that day thousands of years ago. God placed the colorful bow in the sky as a reminder to humanity that He promised to never again completely destroy all living creatures with a flood.

This covenant foreshadowed the New Covenant that was coming in the person of Jesus Christ. Through Jesus' life, death, burial, and resurrection, all humanity would be given the opportunity to be reconciled to God, sins paid in full, and Jesus’ righteousness credited.  The rainbow was a covenant reminder to Noah. It is a covenant reminder to us as well. As we prepare for Thanksgiving this November, we have many things for which to be thankful. It is good and godly to recount them and express appreciation. As we do so, the greatest is the love of God which he displayed in the New Covenant of Jesus Christ.

 Let us be intentional in giving God thinks for his priceless gift of the New Covenant in Jesus Christ. Also, every time you see a rainbow, think about its significance. It is a covenant reminder; God loves you and has made a way for you to be in relationship with him for time and eternity. This is no myth; this is the truth of the plan God has been working since before the foundation of his creation. 

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 

2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV 

Candie and I love you and are thankful for you. Serving you here in Hawaii is a great gift to us. 

Bishop Rob and Candie Taylor

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Maili Church of God Celebrates White Sunday on Oahu

White Sunday is an annual Samoan Holiday celebrated in October. It is also known as Lotu Tamaiti or Children's Service. White Sunday is a cultural holiday that celebrates the wonder and joy of Childhood.

October 27, 2024 the children and adults of Maili Church of God put on their finest white clothes to commemorate the day, as is tradition. All Sunday School classes from Nursery age to Adult Class participated by quoting sculptures. The Nursery to teen class wrote and performed skits and sang songs. They demonstrated great diction and remarkable public speaking skills.

The students received leis for their honor. Gifts of candy and small toys to encourage and congratulate them for their hard work were given to them at the appointed time.

Afterwards, the church broke with tradition in regard to the lunch-time meal. The children were served first and enjoyed a meal of cheeseburgers and pizza with soda and ice cream for dessert.

Resourcing the local church and ministers

2024 Women's Ministries Africa Project

Thank you Hawaii CoG, your efforts to date show over $8,000 contributed to help with the Hurricane relief efforts.

Weekly Prayer Force Reminders

Charla Madden

Member of the Women's Ministries Advisory Council and wife of Secretary General Thomas Madden.

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.

Hilo Church of God on the Island of Hawai'i experienced severe decay in the sewer system, both on their property and in the city's sewer line. Pastor June and Len Guevarra, along with the congregation at the Hilo Church were faced with the seemingly impossible task of repairing the imploding system. Pastor June and Len coordinated with the local government to get on the repair list and awaited the work order to process. Likewise, they began a partnership with former Hilo Pastor, now current Rose Heights Church of GodPastor in Tyler Texas, Allen Townsend to raise the money to finish the line repair on the church property.

Meanwhile, one year ago November, Tom and Cathy Gillum of Church of God World Missions visited the property as part of the 2023 Church of God World Missions Blitz. They brought with them a generous donation to be added to funds raised to complete the work.

The impossible became completed when Church of God Men and Women of Action group from the Midwest, led by Rev.Terry Cano and accompanied by MWAO board member, Rev Bill Harrison, arrived on Island to complete the line install. Hawai'i MWOA chairman, Rev. Ian Mateo joined Bishop Rob Taylor on a trip to Hilo. This partnership inspired our State Coordinator and he had to get in on the action to help. Rev. Ian connected with this team and has begun a partnership for future projects on the Islands of Hawai'i.

This multi-departmental and multi-regional effort continues to illustrate Bishop Gary Lewis' General Assembly declaration "WE is better than ME." God's power plus partnership with his people changes the impossible to more than possible. Mahalo nut loa Church of God O'hana in Hawaii, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Texas. Glory to God for all he has done on this project. Mahalo Pastor June and Len for your leadership and vision to complete this monumental task.