On Aug. 8, we mark the second anniversary of the devastating Maui fires that forever changed the landscape of Lahaina and surrounding communities, displacing thousands
With support from the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention and Maui County Baptist Association, Pete and Donna Beal are leading a group of volunteers to develop a database of resources, identify needs and establish an ongoing ministry team.
University students from Hawaii and Arizona recently traveled to Sub-Saharan Africa to share the gospel. They found that God’s goodness follows them everywhere they go.
“‘What does the future look like?’ … I feel like (this) is the hardest question to answer,” said Rocky Komatsu, pastor of Waiehu Community Church. “Yet, I think if we’re totally honest the answer is, ‘We have no idea.’”
After 41 years of faithful service among Hawaii Pacific Baptists, Sean Lathrop has retired, effective Feb. 1.
While there are many steps to revitalizing a church, Mark Clifton shared four that are especially important: prayer, discipleship, community engagement and preaching Jesus.
“We lost a lot of possessions, but we have the most important things. Each other and our faith,” said Erik Naylor, newly installed pastor of Lahaina Baptist Church.
“How amazing,” noted Craig Webb of the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention, “that one church that happens to be a larger church than any of our churches in Hawaii chose to make this special gift and impact so many churches.”
When Mari Finn awoke on Aug. 8 to heavy winds and no power, she assumed it was like any other storm that would pass.
Windowless, destroyed buildings. Blown-out tires on vehicles swallowed by flames during the recent Hawaii fire. “Everything was burnt to the ground,” a Disaster Relief volunteer said. “Everything was gray.”
