Miko, Pastor Bong, Tina, Micah & Michak
Life is a tapestry of changing seasons, each designed by God’s perfect timing. If someone had told me twenty years ago that I would find my way back to our beloved congregation, I could never have imagined it. But I praise God that His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are infinitely higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). Even with many years of ministry behind us, this transition feels wonderfully fresh, like a brandnew beginning. As we step into this new season together, my prayer is that we are filled with a deep assurance and a bold hope, eager to share His saving gospel with everyone we touch. Walk with me as we begin this exciting next chapter.
September, 2026
Seafarers Ministry, Aug. 20
DECLARING HIS GLORY AMONG THE NATIONS 92nd Church Anniversary
Thank you to all who hosted, gave foods and gifts Bel, Ranny, Rommel, Jean, Linda, Nancy, Tina, Pastor Bong, Robert, Amy
Scan for updates, sermons, events at the new church website
The story of First Baptist Church of Wahiawa began on January 9, 1926, when three Baptist laymen from Honolulu— Charles J. McDonald, Charles D. Day, and O.H. Horning—began a humble Sunday school at the Wahiawa playground pavilion. Officially constituted in August 1934 as the Wayside Baptist Chapel, the church immediately set a trajectory of passing faith from generation to generation. Charter members like Ayako Saito Tom and Sue Saito Nishikawa watched their children and grandchildren grow up in the church, witnessing the literal transition of spiritual inheritance. In the 1940s, under the passionate youth leadership of Pastor James Belote, a generation of local teenagers was mentored in living-room Bible studies and camp fellowships, with many—including Dan Kong, Harry Kong, Alfred Chong, Mori Hiratani, and Sam Choy—answering the call to full-time Christian ministry before Dan Kong eventually returned to pastor his home church. Rooted in the vibrant, multicultural environment of Oahu's pineapple center, this multigenerational family proudly declared God's glory among the nations as believers of Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Caucasian, and military backgrounds served side by side. To reach this rich cultural tapestry, Japaneselanguage services were launched in 1946, thriving under Toshio Hirano, Mrs. C.K. Continue to Page 3
Michak, Micah, Joshua, Tina and Lyla with Kohala BC hosts Pastor Steve & Ms. Yumi
FROM KOHALA TO GUAM Tina, Micah, Michak, Joshua, and Lyla joined together from First Baptist Church of Wahiawa and Mililani Fil-Am Church in response to the Oahu Baptist Network’s call for volunteers to assist with Vacation Bible School in Kohala Baptist Church on the Big Island, July 27–31. The team led Bible story sessions, taught songs, and had the joy of seeing several children make decisions to follow Jesus Christ. Meanwhile, Aaron, Meredith, and Journey traveled to Guam to serve alongside the Guam Baptist Association at Tamuning Christian Fellowship. Their ministry included installing lights and doors, clearing debris, and helping with various improvement projects to support the church’s Francis, Cousin Noah ongoing outreach and Pastor with Meredith, Aaron and ministry efforts. Journey
FirstBaptistHawaii.com TO: First Baptist Church of Wahiawa Challenger Ministry 1233 California Ave., Wahiawa, HI 96786
SUMMER MISSION, 2026 - PHILIPPINES
Declaring His Glory, continued from page 1
Dozier, and Bea Hartley, while a Filipino mission started in 1998 led to the dynamic, multigenerational ministry of current Pastor Michael "Bong" Abagon and his family.
Bottom: Suzy, Darci, Carol, Don, Pastor Bong, Tina, Pastor Jojo, Tess, Gina, Grace Coralyn, Belinda,Filam Ranny, In Top: this picture are Pono, familiesBrandi, from Wahiawa, andJoshua, Candiis. Michak Coraley, and Pono,Angel, Brandi,Aurora Belinda, Ranny, Joshua, Michak, Angel, Aurora, Pastor Jojo, Tina, Pastor Bong, Don, Carol and Darci. Not in this picture is
A dedicated mission team of ten families from First Baptist Church of Wahiawa, Mililani Fil-am Baptist Church and Hawaii Christian Baptist Church, embarked on an extraordinary 25-day journey, traveling nearly 12,800 miles across the Philippines. Their extensive outreach spanned Manila, Zamboanga, Davao, Palawan, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, and Bulacan. Working alongside local church partners, the team conducted pastors' conferences for 107 church leaders, visited six public schools, and distributed essential supplies, including school supplies & equipment, CCTV Security Surveillance, electric fans, slippers, and water canisters. Through youth revivals, house-to-house visitations, and community worship services, they shared messages of hope and faith. Their impactful efforts culminated in 59 individuals committing their lives to Jesus Christ and a celebratory baptism.
THROUGH THE MONTH OF AUGUST
Looking back over ninety-two years of history since those first steps in the park pavilion, First Baptist Church of Wahiawa stands as a brilliant, multi-faceted gem polished by God's redeeming grace. From sending green carry-all vans and yellow buses to pick up children from the pineapple camps of Brodie, Poamoho, and Helemano to starting eleven local missions that birthed strong daughter and granddaughter churches across Hawaii, the church's missionary fervor has never wavered. Though the congregation has navigated seasons of transition, the Holy Spirit has consistently and abundantly provided for every spiritual and physical need. Today, as a new generation fills the sanctuary with the sounds of ukuleles, children's church, and joyful community fellowships, FBC Wahiawa continue to celebrate our historic adventure with God, boldly declaring His glory to all nations from generation to generation.
Friday Bible Study at Fellowship Hall - 1 Corinthians
Teacher: Deacon James; Asst. Deacon Ranny
The global footprint of First Baptist Church of Wahiawa demonstrates an extraordinary reach, with its members impacting many places across the world. In 1945, the Tucker Callaway family left Wahiawa to serve as foreign missionaries in Japan, while Pastor Eugene Cross and his family departed to minister in the Philippines. In 1994, Pastor Jim Parker and his wife Patsy carried the gospel to Malawi Africa, and planted churches in Alaska. Local lay leaders like Edith Gima (White), spiritually and prayerfully sustained by the congregation, embarked on mission trips to Japan and Maui. Together with her late husband Gilbert, they were sent to Africa for a year then to numerous places like Philippines, N. Carolina, Missouri and Kalaupapa. Upon the arrival of our current Pastor in 2001, the church set regular sight to sending missionaries abroad like Philippines and Guam. The church's international seed-planting culminated in the establishment of the First Baptist Church of Sulvec in the Philippines in 2009. In 2014, Candiis Southern Baptist Church in Zamboanga Philippines was adopted into FBC’s family. Additionally, as military members and college-bound youth eventually relocated, they carried the unique Aloha Spirit of Wahiawa to communities throughout the mainland, including Alabama, Maryland, Texas, and Washington, D.C., extending the church's spiritual influence around the globe.
Friday Youth Nights at Vball Parking Bible Study with Micah Abagon
Bon Voyage Young Family, Aug 2
Water Wednesday, Every Wed Thank you to all volunteers: Zan, Ellen, Joanna, Peter & Robert
Welcome Back Preschool Staff: KC, Melissa, Lisa, Leslie, Director Belinda, Jerine, Sage, Alona, Pacita and Alyssa
CONGRATULATIONS Esme Delgadillo 6 lbs., Aug 12 Parents: Maribel & Jorge
Bon Voyage Heflin Family, Aug 20
Visitations Bel w/ James
Wednesday Prayer Meetings August Study of the life of Isaac Faithful God - Faithful Promise
First Baptist
Visitations, Aug 4 Belinda w/ James Parents w/ Young Children Thursdays, 7pm Online
Noel Boatman 6.11 lbs, Aug 13
Seniors Ministry, Aug 25 Thank you to all volunteers: Lynn, Zan, Don, James Belinda, Leslie & Patti
CONGRATULATIONS
Parents: Rylie & Nathan
OBN Pastors Luncheon with Dr. Craig Webb, Exec. Dir of HPBC (Aug 26). Thank you to all who brought food and hosted: Levi, Annie, Belinda, Lyn, Nancy, Jean, Robert, Amy, Peter
September 2—James Honke 8– Ben Domingo 16—Suzy Kent 22– Masako Kimura Did we miss someone’s birthday? Drop us a note at the office (808) 622-4321.