The Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention annual meeting recently drew 185 messengers and 35 guests from 52 of Hawaii Pacific’s 150 churches. These churches included representation from Hawaii’s six major islands, American Samoa, Guam, Japan, Korea, Thailand and the Philippines.
Among highlights of the meeting, a motion was approved requesting that the executive board explore ways to get all cooperating Southern Baptist churches in the HPBC to give to missions through the Cooperative Program. This year’s event was held in the Pi’inao Ballroom at the Prince Waikiki Hotel on Oahu Nov. 3–4. It was the first time the convention had gathered in-person for their annual meeting since before the pandemic.
Officers
The following officers were elected to their first one-year term: President John Endriss, pastor of Engage Church in Hilo; First Vice President Sterling Lee, pastor of First Baptist Pearl City; and Second Vice President Brian Frable, pastor of Kona Baptist Church in Kailua-Kona. Grace Poei, of University Avenue Baptist Church, was re-elected as recording secretary.
Actions
Messengers unanimously approved the HPBC Credentials Committee recommendation to receive Kahului Union Church on Maui and Waikiki Korean Church on Oahu as full members of HPBC.
Messengers also approved a $1,075,000 budget for 2023, down from $1.2 million last year.
The budget includes an anticipated $900,000 from Hawaii Pacific Southern Baptist churches, down $60,000 from last year. Of the total given, Hawaii Pacific plans to send 20 percent for the fifth year to the SBC Executive Committee for disbursement to SBC entities.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written and originally published by Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention.
