Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds

Hawaii fires: Baptist homes, businesses among the damage

"We put our full confidence in God to heal, restore and give us wisdom and direction on joining Him in His work," says Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention.
  • August 11, 2023
  • Meredith Flynn
  • Disaster Relief, Featured, Hawaii, Latest News
(Screenshot/NBC News)

Hawaii fires: Baptist homes, businesses among the damage

Disaster Relief leaders from the Hawaii Baptist Pacific Convention (HPBC) met with multiple agencies Thursday (Aug. 11) to coordinate their response to wildfires on the islands of Maui and Hawaii (also known as the Big Island). The Lahaina fire in western Maui has destroyed much of that historic town and claimed at least 55 lives. 

“Please continue to pray for relief for those devastated by the Maui and Hawaii Island fires, for the safety of first responders, and for wisdom and courage for all those coordinating the response,” HPBC posted on Facebook.

“We put our full confidence in God to heal, restore and give us wisdom and direction on joining Him in His work.”

Thousands of homes lost

Lahaina Baptist Church’s building was destroyed along with thousands of homes and businesses in the area, Craig Webb, the convention’s assistant executive director, said in an email update Aug. 9.

The fire also destroyed the homes and businesses of many Hawaii Baptists, including Richard Murray, bivocational pastor of the Ka’anapali Beach Ministry.

As Disaster Relief directors John and Gay Williams met with local and state leaders, churches on Maui moved quickly to provide resources to those in need.

Kahului Baptist Church hosted a mobile hygiene trailer to offer showers and laundry to people displaced by the fire. The church posted updates on social media as donated items for Lahaina poured in, the supplies filling the pews in the sanctuary.

‘Endless’ opportunities to help

Waiehu Baptist Church provided water and snacks to first responders and evacuees.

Pastor Rocky Komatsu posted on Facebook that the recovery process will be a long one.

“Over the next several months (and sadly years),” he noted, “there will be an endless number of opportunities to help those suffering from this tragedy.”

Ways to help

In an update Thursday, Webb said a primary way to respond right now is through Hawaii Disaster Relief with the HPBC, designating gifts as “Hawaii Fires.” For more information, click here. Or, check with your church, association or state Baptist convention to find out how they are contributing to ongoing relief efforts in Hawaii, your state and beyond. To contact your state convention for more information, click here.

 

 

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • First person: Why no one’s listening to your church and how to fix it
    First person: Why no one’s listening to your church and how to fix it
    July 16, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Lifeway names interim CEO, begins search for new president
    Lifeway names interim CEO, begins search for new president
    July 15, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • John MacArthur, megachurch pastor and voice of ‘Grace to You’ radio ministry, dies at 86
    John MacArthur, megachurch pastor and voice of ‘Grace to You’ radio ministry, dies at 86
    July 15, 2025/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

First person: Why no one’s listening to your church and how to fix it

You’re leading. You’re preaching. You’re promoting. But still… it feels like no one’s really listening. That’s not just frustrating; it’s exhausting.

Lifeway names interim CEO, begins search for new president

Trustees have asked Lifeway’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Joe Walker to serve as interim president and CEO until a new president is named, in accordance with Lifeway’s bylaws.

John MacArthur, megachurch pastor and voice of ‘Grace to You’ radio ministry, dies at 86

John MacArthur, megachurch pastor, culture warrior, author and longtime voice of the “Grace to You” radio program, has died. 

SBC Worship offers music resources, training, community

The Worship Initiative recently announced a new digital hub called SBC Worship — to support music ministers and worship teams and equip them to sing the truth of Scripture.

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2025 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel