Pacific CONNECTOR HAWAII PACIFIC BAPTIST CONVENTION Hawaii Pacific Baptist Churches Working Together to Be Leaders in Impacting God’s Kingdom Throughout the Pacific & Asia
Vol. 51, Issue 4 July August 2021
For more issues, scan this QR code or visit: hpbaptist.net/pacificconnector
From the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Building the Kingdom I pray that this edition of the Pacific Connector finds you well and blessed, pursuing the will of our Father."
Who Are We? (part 3)
chris@hpbaptist.net 808-946-9581
In
the last two editions and upcoming editions of The Pacific Connector, I am highlighting elements of the HPBC of which you may not be aware. These articles originate from questions I hear from Hawaii Pacific Baptist pastors and leaders. I pray this will help you know more about the fantastic opportunities available to you and your ministry.
commitment to serve Christ together. Our churches proclaim the gospel’s accuracy, preach God’s Word thoroughly, and strive to communicate salvation through Christ alone faithfully. We praise the Lord for this level of integrity. In the next edition, we will address your church’s role and how we partner together to accomplish God’s purposes. Continue to pray and strive for ways to serve God in obedience together.
While some pastors may comment about the theology of other pastors or the practices of other churches, I can assure you that Hawaii Pacific Baptist churches stand firmly upon the gospel of Jesus Christ. Your HPBC staff team and I regularly and intentionally interact with all of our churches. As a team, we also monitor our churches’ faithfulness in theology and practice. This watchfulness provides an accountable networking system among our churches to ensure biblical integrity, proper doctrinal adherence, and the overall focus on living and sharing the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As always, your HPBC staff team is ready to provide for you in any way that we can to advance and support your ministry. If we can serve you, please call us at (808) 946-9581 or email us at info@hpbaptist.net. Mahalo,
Dr. Chris Martin, Executive Director/Treasurer
Our team can assure you that we address issues that we find to provide accountability to our mutual
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Chris Martin
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2042 Vancouver Dr, Honolulu HI, 96822 Phone: 808-946-9581 Fax: 808-688-8776 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PUBLISHER Dr. Chris Martin chris@hpbaptist.net 808-946-9581 ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EDITOR Dr. Craig Webb craig@hpbaptist.net 808-946-9581 ASSOCIATE EDITOR Dawn Akutagawa dawn@hpbaptist.net 808-946-9581 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Brandon Pickett DESIGNER Patti Spencer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dr. Chris Martin, James Shiroma, Dr. Craig Webb, Mike Martin The Pacific Connector highlights people and churches that work to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ by reaching the Pacific and Asia. For information about Pacific Connector or the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention: email: info@hpbaptist.net call: (808) 946-9581 fax: (808) 688-8776 write: Pacific Connector Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention 2042 Vancouver Drive Honolulu HI, 96822
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ABOUT THE COVER Photograph, courtesy of Bobby Puffenburger, was taken at a beach on the North Shore of Oahu near Haleiwa.
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A True Work of God: Changed Hearts
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SEE WHAT GOD IS DOING
This publication is provided online free of charge and is available by visiting our website: hpbaptist.net/pacificconnector Pacific Connector is exclusively designed by Innovative Faith Resources, a non-profit media firm specializing in helping churches and non-profits with graphic design, video, branding, and financial services. You can visit IFR at: innovativefaith.org.
How to Launch or Relaunch Small Groups/Sunday School this Fall
Hawaii Pacific Churches Give Generously
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Spotlight on Asia & the Pacific
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Something to Celebrate
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DEPARTMENTS Building the Kingdom
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Serving, Ministry, Outreach
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Wives in Ministry
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52 Sundays
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HOW TO
Launch or Relaunch Small Groups/Sunday School
THIS FALL
On Tuesday, May 18, 2021, Ken Braddy led a group of pastors and other church leaders from around Hawaii, the Pacific, and Asia in a one-and-a-half-hour seminar to help churches launch or re-launch groups. We've been encouraging all churches with the following, "If your church paused small groups for preschool, kids, students, and adults, September is an ideal time to relaunch your groups! If your church doesn't have Sunday school or small groups, September 2021 is also a great time to launch them. July and August are your key months for developing a strategy and training your leaders." Ken Braddy, Director of Sunday School for Lifeway Christian Resources, shared from his broad experience on key considerations for the successful launch or relaunch. Braddy shared recent Lifeway research which reported that 91% of churchgoers are planning on returning to their pre-pandemic attendance levels. He said, "As we emerge from the pandemic, churches are reopening their Bible study groups again. Now is the time for churches to rediscover Flake’s Formula. In a postpandemic world, this simple 5-step formula can help churches get back to the essentials that grow a Bible-teaching ministry.
July and August are your key months for developing a strategy and training your leaders."
Step 1: Know your Possibilities Step 2: Enlarge the Organization Step 3: Enlist and Train Workers Step 4: Provide the Space Step 5: Go After the People
To purchase a copy of Ken Braddy's book, scan this QR code or visit tinyurl.com/book-braddy.
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If you are not familiar with Flake’s Formula, you can read about it in greater detail in a new book Ken Braddy and Alan Taylor compiled last year titled "Building A Disciplemaking Ministry: The Timeless Principles of Arthur Flake for Sunday School and Small Groups."
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LIFE Christian Moves Food Distribution to Nu'uanu Elementary On Saturday, June 5, LIFE Christian Church served over 100 families in need as they distributed food at Nu'uanu Elementary School. They are doing this in conjunction with the Hawaii Foodbank. Shaw Okawara is the pastor of LIFE Christian.
Serving, Ministry, Outreach
Daniel Rich, director of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in Hawai'i, is leading a 6-week leadership training course at Mililani Baptist during June and early July. The course is open to coaches, athletes, parents, and anyone else in a team oriented context. Dennis Andrews is senior pastor. photo: prayer meeting to prepare for the outreach and training
Mililani Baptist and FCA Seek to Reach Students
"Who's Your One?" Focus at Pearl City
Every Tuesday night in June, FBC Pearl City has been gathering to be equipped to share the gospel with the "Who's Your One?" strategy. Sterling Lee is the Pastor at FBC Pearl City. To learn more, visit whosyourone.com
Lihue Baptist Holds Month-Long Summer SONsation VBS
From June 1 to July 2, MondayFriday from 8:00 to noon, Lihue Baptist on Kauai held Vacation Bible School for ages 3 thru completed 7th Grade. Activities included worship, Bible study, music, art, missions, games, snacks, excursions, and more. Christopher Metcalf is the pastor of Lihue Baptist.
Eleele Baptist Church celebrated having exceded their Annie Armstrong goal. "We're thanking God for everyone who prayed for or gave to this offering."
Annie Armstrong goal reached! JU L AUG 2 02 021
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$3,337 COLLECTED
from
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FAMILIES
Wives in Ministry Gather Online FOR ENCOURAGEMENT AND EQUIPPING
On
May 14, 2021, Hawaii Pacific Baptist Wives in Ministry gathered online for another evening of fellowship and for encouragement and equipping from Patti Webb. Patti is a retired wife in ministry who served in Hawaii for many years, author, speaker, and most importantly, a woman who loves the Lord. Patti and her husband, Henry, served in Collegiate Ministry in Hawaii from 19641968 and Henry was pastor of Kalihi Baptist from 1968-1977. Craig Webb, HPBC Assistant Executive Director, is their son. In her message for wives in ministry, Patti shared her journey of coming to Christ and becoming a pastor's wife. In part of her message, she said, "... each time we have served a church, God has used that time to help me learn more about Him and being His servant. He grew me to
Wives in Ministry GET TOGETHER at National Gathering On June 15, 2021, several Hawaii Wives in Ministry women gathered at one of the Music City Center ballrooms in Nashville, Tennessee for the annual Wives in Ministry National Gathering. HPBC Women's Ministry sponsored two tables. Jen Wilkin was the keynote speaker. Diana Ventura, HPBC Director of Women's Ministry shared, "We had a sweet time! It was the most attended Wives in Ministry luncheon in years."
have joy in the hard times, such as when a church member would announce to Henry that he and his family would not be back to our church. Or when I sensed or heard there was disagreement in how Henry had handled a difficult situation." "There were also times when we were stretched financially. I truly thought we would not survive. My faith faltered often. But God would send someone to give us a monetary gift or a free night of babysitting. These were hard and struggling times. But God grew me. As I grew in Christ and a confidence in Him and not my husband’s abilities nor my abilities, God taught me about Himself as we walked through valleys of despair, and through mountains of great success."
Diana Ventura, HPBC Director of Women's Ministry, hosted this event along with the Wives in Ministry Team which includes Wendy Martin, Noe Okawara, and Barbara Webb.
You may watch the entire session by scanning the QR code above or by going online to vimeo.com/551677652
Patti Webb, Barbara Webb, Cindy Crim, Wendy Martin, Robin Covington, Debi Buchholz, and Debbi Priest
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In A True Work of God:
Changed Hearts
what many consider to be a true work of God, Cornerstone Fellowship and The Gathering merged to become one church. Its new name is GracePoint Church. The merged church met together for the first time on May 23, 2021.
Shiroma who is the founding pastor of both Cornerstone Fellowship and The Gathering credits Pastor Travis Laney (Cornerstone's interim pastor at the time) for being the catalyst for this merge. Shiroma said that Pastor Laney first approached him last summer about Cornerstone and The Gathering "Merging was not even on my radar merging. last fall," said James Shiroma, who pastored The Gathering prior to the "I did not think it was a good idea when Travis first brought up the idea to me," merge and is now the lead pastor of Shiroma said. "But Travis was very GracePoint Church. Shiroma said that persistent because he strongly believed both churches were doing well on their that merging was part of God's plan." own and did not need to merge. "I have never seen anyone so selfless "However, over the last few months, we and sacrificial like Travis. It would have have seen God change people's hearts, been easy for Travis to have seen including mine," Shiroma said. "What all that he did leading Cornerstone we thought were barriers were really forward and decide to stay. Instead, not barriers. God revealed through Travis worked hard to make sure the people and circumstances that He merge happened and that the church is directing this merge. Because God was in good shape for me to take over." is bringing two significant churches This past February, Shiroma entered together like this, it is becoming more a series of many discussions with evident that He has a great purpose Cornerstone leaders, leaders from The for GracePoint Church."
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Gathering, and members from both churches. These discussions led to the eventual merge between the two churches. Shiroma said that the process has been exciting and refreshing for people from both churches as leaders are working well together, people from both churches are building relationships, and that there is an even stronger vision
Because attendance at GracePoint's first Sunday was over capacity, seating was setup just outside the doors
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to reach the community, reach Hawaii, and reach the nations with the gospel. "My prayer is for God to use GracePoint Church in a powerful way," Shiroma said, "Besides reaching our community and the nations, my prayer is also that we teach the Bible well, raise disciples, and raise up leaders to be sent out to make a gospel impact in Hawaii and around the world."
t h g i l t o p S
BAM Churches Gather for Fellowship
on ASIA & the PACIFIC
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The Baptist Association of Micronesia (BAM) met at Tamuning Christian Fellowship on the Island of Guam at the end of May for “Come Together,” an evening of praise, prayer, and testimony.
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Samoa Baptist Academy Celebrates Graduations
Pastor Saufoi Tavete of Happy Valley Baptist, speaks at one of the graduation celebrations.
Men’s Ministry Golf Scramble Koza Baptist Church In Okinawa Japan recently held a Men’s Ministry Golf Scramble. Pastor Chris Eyre said, "We fielded 7 teams on a blustery Spring morning at Taiyo golf course for some fun and fellowship. Prizes were awarded for first, second, and last place. Everyone won though because Christian fellowship is always a win."
Himeji Baptist Outdoor Worship Himeji Baptist Church, Japan, had an outdoor worship service in mid-May. Toshikazu Haruta is the lead pastor.
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Something to Gimmen Serves as Interim at Calvary Guam
Pastor Jimmy Gimmen has served as Chairman of Deacons and as Outreach Pastor since 2016 of Calvary Baptist in Guam. In July 2020, his position was adjusted to be the Associate Pastor, with the expectation that he would serve as Interim Pastor upon the retirement of the previous Senior Pastor. In November 2020, Pastor Rob Puckett advanced his retirement date to the end of November because of a family emergency. On December 1, 2020, Pastor Jimmy became the Interim Pastor of Calvary and will provide leadership through the time of transition after the two previous pastors served a total of over 15.5 years. Pastor Jimmy and his wife, Teresa, have three children, Jordan, Megan, and Abigail.
Jay Parks to Mississippi
Chris Irving to Serve in Rockport, Texas
In June 2021, Pastor Jay Parks, his wife, April, and their two children moved back to Mississippi after planting New Life Kona in 2015. Please pray for the Parks family and their transition and for the New Life Kona church family as they seek a new pastor.
Chris Irving has served as senior pastor at University Avenue Baptist since 2019. He recently accepted the call to serve at Coastal Oaks Church in Rockport, Texas. Please pray for the Irvings as they make this transition and for University Avenue as they seek their new pastor.
Nu'uanu Ordains Deacons
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On May 16, Nu'uanu Baptist Church ordained Ross Harada and Kaleo Salazar as deacons. Trever Duarte also joined their active deacon fellowship having been previously ordained. HPBC Director of Regional Ministry, Dr. Robert Miller, preached and brought a challenge to the church and to the deacons. Bob Gierhart is the pastor of Nu'uanu.
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Celebrate Pearl City Commissions Strategic Planning Team
OlaNui! Moves to New Location for Worship and Ministry
OlaNui! is a Hawaii Pacific Baptist Church in Honolulu that has met in six different locations in Kaka'ako over the years. On Easter Sunday 2021, they began gathering for worship on the 2nd floor of a building at 620 Waipa Lane. Their location gives them more space for worship and fellowship as well as opportunities to minister to the underserved in the Palama community. Walt Agena, Rick Lazor, and Ron Shiira are elders. FBC Pearl City commissions their Strategic Planning Team
Pahala Celebrates 10 Years
On May 30, First Baptist Church, Pearl City commissioned a Strategic Planning Team. Pastor Sterling Lee shared that the church operates under the work that a strategic planning team did in 2013. "The past 15 months," Lee says, "have shown that we are headed in the right direction, but there are areas we must adjust. In some areas, we have had to take a hard look at how we adapt to meet the changing environment that COVID has handed us." "In the next three months, this team will work together to expand on the 2013 strategic plan to help us fulfill the Great Commission. This includes helping us explore how we continue to maneuver through the obstacles that this pandemic has thrown at us as well as prayerfully mapping out a plan for post-pandemic ministry."
Celebrate
On Sunday, May 16, Pahala Baptist Church on Hawaii Island, celebrated 10 Years of Ministry. Marino Ramones is their pastor.
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HAWAII PACIFIC PASTORS & DOCTORAL WORK
Abagon, Doctor of Ministry Program
Hom, Doctor of Ministry in Applied Theology Program
Johnny and Melanie Hom and their family.
Johnny Hom, pastor of discipleship and administration at Nu'uanu Baptist, started work on a Doctor of Ministry Pastor Bong, his wife Tina, and their sons in Applied Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Bong Abagon began a Doctor of Ministry Program through Seminary in May 2021. Gateway Seminary in January 2020. The focus is on helping Currently going through his first doctoral seminar, Pastor churches reengage the world. Abagon said, "What has Hom has grown in his appreciation for the theological been a tremendous blessing is the 360-degree approach heritage left to us by the early church and sees the need of the program where it allows doctoral candidates like me for modern Christians to be grounded in the rich, historical to be encouraged and connected with mentors, cohorts, lineage of our faith. Through his studies and project report, and local lay leaders." he hopes to serve God's church in equipping disciples to grasp and articulate the truth of his Word; that they may more confidently contend for the faith and proclaim the Morikawa, Historical & gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ.
Theological Studies Program
Gao Completes MTS through Southwestern
Todd Morikawa, pastor at Kailua Baptist, began a Ph.D. in the Historical and Theological Studies program at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in January 2021. His focus will be English Baptist church history roots. Todd is thankful to have Dr. Michael Haykin as his advisor. He is also thankful for the support and financial help of his church and the Shiraki Foundation.
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Matt Gao, a member of Pawa’a Community Church, graduated from Southwestern with a Masters of Theological Studies. Matt leads Men’s Ministry at Pawa'a and assists his wife Katie with directing their Children’s Ministry. Matt's plans are to continue leadership development for ministry at Pawa'a for future ministry. Arjay Gruspe is the pastor of Pawa'a Community Church.
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BAPTISMS
The Gathering
Yokohama Baptist
The Gathering celebrated several baptisms on April 18. James Shiroma is the pastor. The Gathering and Cornerstone Fellowship Mililani Mauka are in the process of merging to become GracePoint Church.
Pawa'a Community Church
Pawa'a Community celebrated ocean baptisms in May. Aja Beckham (center) is pictured with Pastor Arjay Gruspe and his wife Tara. Jarrod Alejo was also baptized.
Waianae Baptist
Waianae Baptist celebrated several baptisms on April 25. Michael Brooks is the new pastor at Waianae (pictured left).
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Senior Pastor Ben Howard shared that Yokohama Baptist Church held its second baptism service of 2021 on May 30 when he baptized five new believers. Three of them were a father and two children, for whom a Christian wife and mother had prayed for many years.
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Share the stories behind each dollar given through your church.
A SUNDAY HIGHLIGHT:
July 25
Edward & Terri JANKLOW* SOUTHEAST ASIA * Not their real names
because they serve in Southeast Asia, where missionaries are not welcome.
Share these stories
with your congregation in 2021!
Visit hpbaptist.net/52sundays to get started.
Pictured is a representation of a missionary family who has been able to share the Gospel through the generous support given through your Cooperative Program giving.
52 Sundays is a powerful missions resource filled with weekly highlights of missionaries connected to our SBC Great Commission Partners.
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