Serving the Church in Hawaii
In two weeks—August 26—Jenecia and I will be flying to Hawaii to visit Fellowship Bible Church’s ministry partners, the Bruno family and Oahu Theological Seminary.
Let me tell you the story.
There was a time, early in my seminary days, when I thought God was leading me to serve Him in Hawaii. I had served there in college during summer break, and had observed first-hand that there were not many Bible believing churches, there was no theological education, and there was great need.
There was a time, later in my seminary days, when I was confident that God would have me serve Him by training and supporting church leaders overseas. See, even though I no longer felt led to serve in Hawaii specifically, I was still convinced that the best way to serve the world-wide church was with theological education. Local leaders are the best church planters for their communities, and the neighboring ones. Local churches know the best way to meet the needs of their communities. But the key missing component, according to those international pastors, was theological education.
This is why, at Fellowship Bible Church, we focus our missions giving in two ways. First, we support mercy ministry. These are ministries that serve local churches' efforts to be a blessing to their communities. We support these primarily by prayer and with financial gifts.
This is why we support Dr. John and Sue Briggs at the Hospital of Hope in Togo, Africa. The Briggs do unique work, serving that community, in partnership with local area churches.
Second, we support international churches directly. And we feel that the best way to do this is by supporting the theological education of church leadership.
This is why we supported for a long time Jim Hansen, training pastors in Bolivia. This is why we partner with the Brunos, starting the first theological seminary in Hawaii and the South Pacific islands. This is why we support Allhad in Odisha, India.
Mercy ministry and theological education for church leaders seem to us to be the two most strategic uses of our “far away”-ministry giving.
So, back in my seminary days, it became evident that neither serving in Hawaii nor teaching in a seminary overseas were God's plan for me just then. I put these things before the Lord, entrusting myself to His will and His timing. But I haven't forgotten those convictions and desires. “Perhaps,” I prayed, “when I have myself served faithfully as a pastor, understand family-life a little better, and have just generally grown up a bit.”
So it was humbling and sweet to be asked by two friends last year to consider joining them in training pastors and church leaders in missionary settings.
For example, I had the opportunity last year to jump in and help Pastor Caleb Widmer (Harvest Community, Oak Creek) teach a group of young Nepalese church leaders. (That was online. He’d like me to go with him to teach in person in the next few years.)
And this year I will join our ministry partners, the Brunos, for a week.
Here’s what I’ll be doing: I be leading a seminar, with Chris, on the Big Island on the books of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1-2 Samuel. I will be preaching for one of their partner churches, Grace Fellowship Hawaii. I have meetings lined up with some area pastors. I will help Chris teach a class on Ephesians. I will also pray in the seminary's convocation service.
I’m truly excited to see the work we’ve been supporting these many years! And I’m always delighted to talk about Jesus and God’s Word with people. But it is especially humbling and joy-giving to find this returned to me, so many years later. That I not only am able to help encourage and support these pastors, but I get to do it in Hawaii, where God first gave me a vision for what ministry could be, is such a sweet gift from God.
It is also—I know this truly—a sweet gift from God through you, Fellowship Bible Church.
Oahu Theological Seminary is one of the gifts God has helped give this world through you, through us, through our support. And my going on this trip to visit and to serve is one of your gifts as well.
I am looking forward to being your gift to the Brunos and the pastors and churches I'll meet. Thank you for sending us, for praying for us, and for supporting us!
One last thing—FBC has graciously budgeted the price of my ticket to Hawaii. But the nature of Hawaii, and of Oahu Theological Seminary, requires that they host trainings on more than just the main island of Oahu. So, it turns out, I am going to have to fly to the Big Island, and also obtain lodging for a few nights. This ends up being an additional $600 beyond what I'd anticipated.
Bryan suggested I put this need before you, in order to help us all feel more like the partners we are.
Would you be consider giving a special gift to help with these additional costs?
(Please don’t deduct it from your regular giving. Rather, give only if you are able to give-beyond. And if more is given than our trip needs, I will pass it along directly to the ministry there.)
Either way, thank you for being what you are, The Church, my family's church, my friends. Please pray for us as we travel, our kids as we’re away, and the encouragement we hope to be on your behalf, on this short trip, to the churches of Hawaii.