Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou!

Each new year brings an opportunity for reflection of the past and envisioning of the future. Indeed the turning of the calendar from December 2023 to January 2024 brings much to mind. 

Reflecting on 2023 brings so much for which we can be thankful. Through joyous seasons and extremely trying circumstances God has again proven himself faithful to his people. We will always remember the challenges and the victories of 2023. 

Envisioning the future for the Church of God in Hawaii excites and inspires me. Because of the generous support of the World Missions Blitz Team that visited us in November, we are getting several projects started that will help our churches and the state.

In January, we are having the State Parsonage fumigated for termites, ground treatment setup, and a regimen of monthly spraying started. In February, we are having Ewa Beach CoG fumigated for termites, ground treatment setup, and a regimen of monthly spraying started. Likewise, in March, we are having Jesus is Alive on the North Shore fumigated for termites, ground treatment setup, and a regimen of monthly spraying started. Furthermore, in May, we will have a work team coming to level floor of the JIA building on North Shore. Once completed, they will fly over to Molokai and replace the entire floor at the Molokai Church of God. Other projects are also being planned that will help a number of our churches repair and improve their facilities. 

A more longterm vision is to build 3-4 Hawaii CARES Houses of Hope on the property of the State Ministry Center. One house will serve as the parsonage for the State Youth and Discipleship Director / Pastor at Newtown. The remaining houses will serve as housing for church planters who will come to Hawaii to reach the growing populations from various cultures. This will remove a major hurdle to bringing in church planters enabling them to focus their time, energy, and finances on developing new congregations. 

The refiner’s fire is the fire used to melt down metal, so that impurities can be removed. The end product is to become pure and costly. We see this especially with precious metals like gold and silver. 

Are you wearing any gold or silver jewelry? As you look at that, think of the process it had to go through to get to become that piece of jewelry.

So, what does it mean to be refined by fire?

We are not literally going to go through fire, but a spiritual fire. That usually manifests in the form of tests. 

These are situations or circumstances that we internally struggle with. Ones that test our faith and character. Sometimes, it feels like you are under fire. It hurts, and it’s painful. But it’s in those times that the Holy Spirit is working deep within us. We can choose to let Him raise the heat to purify us or we choose to become cold where our impurities stay locked within us. 

Our desire must be, “better, not bitter…”

This is why James says “BLESSED” are you who are being tested.

 What is the Purpose of the Refiner’s Fire?

To Be Made Pure

To Be a Reflection of Christ 

To Be Used for Christ 

God Is Calling Us to Be Refined

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold." Job 23:10

Honestly, if we could run from the fire, we would. It's a hard process. But I want to encourage you. If you are walking through it right now, stay strong. God is with you, my brother and sister. He has not forgotten, and He sees it all. You will be rewarded for your faith. 

Thank you for all your prayers and support.

Pastor Brian

Pastor Brian

YD

Church of God in Hawaii

Photo by Randy Tarampi on Unsplash

If money were no object, what would you do? That question is probably the ministry equivalent of the game “Would you rather….?” 

We played the game at the office. Now, it is in our hearts.  Join us on our yellow brick road. Instead of the Wizard of Oz, we look to our God as the grantor over the rainbow. (You should be singing Isreal Kamakawiwoʻole’s somewhere over the rainbow by now.) We also imagine that God will tell us that the resources we need are already in the hands of someone who is looking for the opportunity to use their gifts. 

God’s call to finish the great commission is to be taken seriously. “No Child Left Behind” wasn’t a government plan. It was God’s plan along all when he sent his son to die for the sins of the world. It aligns with the idea of Ohana. 

Ohana means family and that means no one is left behind. As a cultural mandate, the ʻohana concept  involves ensuring that everyone in the family has what they need to survive and live with joy. As Christ followers, we know that through Jesus bearing our sins on the cross, he made sure that salvation was available to all men and women. He then gave the message of hope to those who believe that we may share the gospel with those who do not know him. It is our responsibility to continue the spirit of God’s love for the ’ohana. Christ has given us all we need for life and Godliness. If we are not sharing the Gospel, we are neglecting our ‘ohana.

The phrase ‘ohana is significant in Hawaiian culture as it is derived from the taro plant. Taro is vital to Hawaiian culture. It is the root of the plant that we use for poi. Likewise, the  green leaves are used for the yummy laulau.  ʻOha  is the shoot of the plant, which Hawaiians cut off and replant to grow more taro plants. The word ana is related to procreation and regeneration. Again, it is a word picture for how the body of believers are the branches planted as a part of the vine to make disciples (procreation) through regeneration in Christ. 

Through both island culture and biblical tradition, we have a responsibility to reach those who would be lost unless they come to Christ. 

Photo by Kier in Sight Archives on Unsplash

Photo by Jens Behrmann on Unsplash

Our dream is to build three homes one the land adjacent to the Hawaii Church of God Ministry Center. One would provide housing for the State YD Director and Pastor Newtown. The other two would be to help church planters have a place to live while raising funds while initiating the church planting process..

There are people groups that we have yet to reach on the Island. It would be a great partnership to work with church planters of various cultures to reach the great harvest of Oahu.

Hawaii’s population is 1,455,271.Two-thirds of whome live on the island of Oahu which is approximately 953,207. While being the 40th largest state in population, it is the 13th largest in population density. Let’s put that in perspective. There are 39 states that have populations larger than Hawaii. But only 12 states have more people per square mile. That means we are closer in proximity to the harvest than most other states. The latest estimates project 222.9 people per square mile. Within each square mile on Oahu is over 200 people! The harvest field is most definitely ripe. 

Register before January 22 and choose your free T-shirt color! Extra shirts can be ordered at $20 each and hoodies can be ordered for $35. After January 22, shirt sizes nor colors cannot be guaranteed.

Resourcing the local church and ministers

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

Spoken Word - Life in 6 Words 

Awaiting the new adventure are the 22 men and woman of the 2023 World Missions Blitz. From left to right: Rev & Mrs. Mike Cleckler (AL), Rev. & Mrs. Darrin Pendley (MD), Rev. & Mrs.Hugh Nelson (NY), Rev. & Mrs. Harold Hanks (FL), Bishop Taylor & Candie, Bishop & Mrs. Tom Gillum (TN) Rev. & Mrs. Glen Vaughn (AL), Rev & Mrs. Jarrett Lovelace (AL), Rev & Mrs. Fred Ledbetter (AK), Bishop & Mrs. Martin Taylor (TN). Not pictured: Pastor Brian & Zara.

This team balanced work with fun. A day spent with MIP candidates wrapped up at Haleiwa Joe's in Kaneohe, which later led to a late night visit to the iconic Honolulu Church.

New relationships formed quickly and easily. (Right) Pastor Brian and Zara converse with Lady Diana Nelson at a stop on the island tour. Our hearts are full because we have new Ohana to love.

Sunday services were opportunities for further project evaluation. New relationships launched over Sunday lunches. A trip to Molokai via Mokulele connected the island church to mainland ministry in Florida. Fellowship on the lawn after service and a conversation with Sister Peggy netted a coconut to be mailed to Rev. and Sister Hanks' grandson.

Though the CoG Ohana is over 8 million people in 191 nations, the sea is the only separator. Bishop Tom & Cathy Gillum brought greetings to Sister Nakashima from Sister Priscilla Hensley of North Carolina. Brother & Sister Hensley pastored the Hilo Church in the mid 1900s..

Open Q&A at MiP allowed Hawaii MIP candidates to hear from great leaders and several different ministry perspectives.

Among the ministers was Bishop Hugh Nelson. Not only does his credentials include Pastor and inner city community leader. He is a MIP instructor for the CIMS portion of the training.

A Hawaiian feast at the ministry center was a token Mahalo for investing in the future of Hawaii. MIP Candidates lunched with team members. Kaluha Pig and Laulau introductions were made for the mainland guests. The meal did not disappoint.

An emergency surgery, kept Hawaii World Missions Rep, Dr. Terrell Brinson on the Mainland. Bishop Martin Taylor competently led the team.

Bishop Martin Taylor, once Pastor Brian's State Bishop, filled Newton's pulpit. His sermon on the paralytic lowered through the roof into a missions context. Though the work was hard, the roof was removed so that someone in need could get to Jesus. That's what ministry partnership is about.

Hello Everyone, 



The purpose of the prayer force is primarily to lift up the needs and burdens of one another and to give God the glory in the victories in life. When I received Sister Claudia's message, I was stricken by the beauty of God's grace in the middle of adversity, grief, and loneliness. It reminds me this scripture

Isaiah 43:2 says,

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; 

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you."

Notice the word used three times there - Through. The next keyword there is - With. God didn't say around, over, or under, He will go with us through the water as he was with Moses and the people of Isreal. He will go with us through the flames with us as he was for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He will go with us through our nights in the lion's den as He was for Daniel. 

Praise the Lord we have Him through our life's tragedies, trials, and tribulations! I hope you are blessed by Sister Claudia's message of comfort, strength, and reliance on the Lord in tough times. 

PRAYER NEEDS ACROSS THE STATE

·       Pray for the people of Maui and the Lahaina church in their ongoing efforts to rebuild their lives after the wildfires.

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

·      Pray for Sister Shirley Nanod as she rebuilds her strength following the completion of her treatments and praises the Lord for her recent great report from her doctors of being declared cancer-free. 

·      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.