Left to right: Executive Director Craig Webb with newly elected officers President Brian Frable, First Vice President Shane Tanigawa, and Second Vice President Larry Hale. Photo: Katelyn Holzer.
Hawaii Pacific annual meeting reflects its rich heritage
By Karen L. Willoughby
HONOLULU – Focusing on pastors and their wives pays dividends by strengthening the loosely woven fabric of the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention, leaders at its recent annual meeting said.
Hawaii-Pacific Southern Baptists met Nov. 7-8 at the state convention’s entity, Hawaii Baptist Academy, where 1,100 students from kindergarten through 12th grade study. The school celebrated its 75th anniversary during the annual meeting.
The multi-national convention also celebrated the 75th anniversary of its Pu’u Kahea Camp and Conference Center.
“The highlight of our year has been our comprehensive ministry to pastors and their wives, which included a refreshing pastors retreat in May, monthly online Pastor Forums, regular Zoom connections for pastors’ wives, and culminating in a heartwarming Pastors and Wives Appreciation Dinner on November 6, just before our annual meeting,” Executive Director Craig Webb told Baptist Press.
Pastors Wives Group Photo at the Pastors and Wives Appreciation Dinner. Photo: Katelyn Holzer
The Pastors and Wives gathering took place at the Japanese Cultural Center in Honolulu.
“The most remarkable aspect of our annual meeting was the beautiful cultural diversity on display, as pastors from the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention read scripture and prayed in Japanese, Korean, Hawaiian, Samoan, and English,” Webb said. “This vibrant expression of unity in Christ reflects our rich heritage and strengthens our commitment to serving together as one body in faith.”
The theme for the 82nd annual meeting – “Contending together,” with Phil. 1:27-28 as its scriptural base – Standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, for the faith of the gospel – was both an acknowledgment of what’s already happening and a challenge for an even greater commitment to the task at hand, Webb said.
“This intentional focus on supporting and nurturing our pastoral families has strengthened the fabric of our convention, fostering deeper connections and renewed vigor for ministry across our diverse island communities,” the executive director continued.
Reports
According to his records, Credentials committee chairman Pastor Jamie McElrath of Olivet Baptist Church in Oahu reported 69 guests and 200 messengers from 52 of Hawaii Pacific’s 139 churches registered, including messengers from Kauai, Lanai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii, plus Guam, Japan, the Philippines, Samoa, South Korea and Thailand.
We highlighted three new church planters who will plant church in 2025 in Hawaii. Photo: Screenshot from Video.
The Hawaii Pacific convention added one new church in 2024, and at least three new Send Network church planters are anticipated in 2025, reported Shane Critzer, Send Network Coastal West Region director.
“This year’s Annual Meeting of the HPBC was a crucial reminder of our cooperative efforts in serving Jesus Christ and the joy to contend together for the faith of the Gospel,” Brian Frable, pastor of Kona Baptist Church in Kailua-Kona and HPBC President told Baptist Press. “I am deeply humbled to see all that God is accomplishing in our churches through the extensive gospel ministry that occurs all across the Pacific for His glory.”
Maui Fire update
The Maui Fire Caring Ministry started in June with a team of 13 volunteers representing Valley Isle Fellowship, Kahului Union Church, and Kahului Baptist Church, following up with and connecting fire victims with local churches.
After orientation and training, volunteers connect with fire victims, contacting (as of mid-June) more than 150 people through the CARE strategy: Care like Christ, Ask open-ended questions, Recognize this is an ongoing process, and Encourage and end each call with hope.
Volunteers aim to listen to the unique stories and needs of everyone they call, often ending prayerfully and welcoming callbacks, according to an article in HPBC’s Connector magazine.
Volunteers Pete and Donna Beal consider the ministry in phase 1, developing a database of available resources and training materials, identifying needs, and establishing a committed volunteer team. They have utilized several resources from experts in the field of trauma care, as well as input from experts within HPBC. They have also acquired funding from Maui County Baptist Association and HPBC for six to eight months, and local churches have indicated willingness to financially assist fire victims. They are actively looking to expand the volunteer team to better meet the needs of the hundreds affected by the Maui fires.
If you want to volunteer or partner with the Maui Fire Caring Ministry, please contact mauifirecaringministry.mcba@gmail.com.
HPBC Business
Business of the annual meeting included passage of five resolutions, the 2025 budget, and election of officers.
Besides resolutions expressing appreciation for the annual meeting host, HPBC’s board and officers, and those SBC entities who supported and participated in the annual meeting, messengers approved two other significant resolutions.
The messengers unanimously approved a resolution celebrating and committing to the Cooperative Program including a statement, “That we commit ourselves to celebrating and promoting the Cooperative Program within our churches, associations, and entities in its one-hundredth year.”
Messengers also unanimously approved a resolution to adopt the SBC’s abuse prevention ministry toolkit as a recommended resource for all Hawaii Pacific Baptist churches and a commitment to “stand united in member churches’ resolve to protect the vulnerable, to support survivors of abuse, and to uphold the highest standards of safety and care in our churches.”
The 2025 budget that passed included $1,100,000 in anticipated Cooperative Program giving from churches, plus $62,000 in other fees and interest. The trimmed operations budget is $1,128,715, including 20 percent of churches’ CP gifts, or about $222,000, leaving the convention for national and international SBC missions endeavors. The messengers approved a deficit of $178,715, which is to be covered by reserves. The anticipated expenses are lower than last year, while the national CP allocation remains the same.
“We’ve built a lot of trust over the last year,” Webb told Baptist Press. “We’ve waited rather than filling ministry areas. We’ve continued to be good stewards of the money entrusted to us. I think over the next year we’ll end up with a budget that balances.”
Brian Frable, pastor of Kona Baptist Church on Hawaii Island, was re-elected president; Shane Tanigawa, pastor of University Avenue Baptist Church on Oahu, was elected first vice-president; and Larry Hale, pastor of Eleele Baptist Church on Kauai, was elected second vice president. A recording secretary is to be elected by the Executive Board.
The 83rd annual meeting of the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention is set for Nov. 20-21, 2025, at the Outrigger Kona Resort in Kailua-Kona, on the island of Hawaii.