A
GATHERING PLACE OF NATIONS Hawaii
is a gathering place for people from all over the Pacific Basin. Representatives
from every culture in the Pacific are living and working here. Students from all
over the Pacific study at the University of Hawaii and the many community colleges.
The potential for helping the nations exult in God throughout the Asia-Pacific
region is astounding.
PAST
Biblical Ministries Worldwide entered this strategic archipelago in 1968. Three
churches have become autonomous since then, all on the island of Oahu (The Gathering
Place):
Maili
Bible Church (on the Waianae Coast)
Calvary
Independent Church (in the center of the island)
Honolulu
Bible Church (near the city)
In
1985 Faith Bible Church began meeting near Pearl Harbor. The church thrived for
many years, and then decreased to a core group of less than 20 believers. In September
2007 the Buttram family (who since 1986 have served in Hawaii, Samoa, and Fiji)
returned to Hawaii - believing God was directing them to help the church re-establish
a bright light in the Pearl Harbor area. They believe this is the first among
many new local churches He wants to raise up in these islands, and through whom
He wants to spread the Gospel of Christ to peoples of the Pacific for their eternal
joy.
PRESENT Currently
Faith Bible Church is made up of local people of Japanese, Filipino, and mixed
ethnicities along with a few military families. A core of men has emerged who
are already taking leadership and have a heart for ministry. These brothers and
sisters are serving one another in love and are acting on their concern for lost
family members, friends and neighbors. One neighborhood Bible study has been started
and is drawing several surrounding families. The hope for Faith Bible Church is
that God will raise up godly men with a heart for ministry and who are willing
to be trained to lead these folks into all that God wants to do through them –
including sending out church planters in Hawaii and missionaries to the nations.
FUTURE There
is potential for starting churches in every ethnic group and sub-culture in the
islands. The possibilities are limitless. More local churches are needed in growing
areas such as Kapolei and Ewa, as well as the smaller communities along the North
Shore, and even in Honolulu itself and the outer islands.
There is plenty of room for expansion on the BMW Hawaii team. We are taking
an apostolic approach to church planting: seeking to see churches established
that are led by equipped local leaders as soon as possible. Folks with a heart
for evangelism, discipleship and leadership development may find this a team they
want to join.
Hawaii is a potential springboard to ministry throughout
the Islands and to every nation around the Pacific Rim. This gathering place of
nations can be a hub for the spread of the Gospel throughout the vast Pacific
region.
Hawaii
is a gathering place for people from all over the Pacific Basin. Representatives
from every culture in the Pacific are living and working here. Students from all
over the Pacific study at the University of Hawaii and the many community colleges.
The potential for helping the nations exult in God throughout the Asia-Pacific
region is astounding.
In
1985 Faith Bible Church began meeting near Pearl Harbor. The church thrived for
many years, and then decreased to a core group of less than 20 believers. In September
2007 the Buttram family (who since 1986 have served in Hawaii, Samoa, and Fiji)
returned to Hawaii - believing God was directing them to help the church re-establish
a bright light in the Pearl Harbor area. They believe this is the first among
many new local churches He wants to raise up in these islands, and through whom
He wants to spread the Gospel of Christ to peoples of the Pacific for their eternal
joy.
Currently
Faith Bible Church is made up of local people of Japanese, Filipino, and mixed
ethnicities along with a few military families. A core of men has emerged who
are already taking leadership and have a heart for ministry. These brothers and
sisters are serving one another in love and are acting on their concern for lost
family members, friends and neighbors. One neighborhood Bible study has been started
and is drawing several surrounding families. The hope for Faith Bible Church is
that God will raise up godly men with a heart for ministry and who are willing
to be trained to lead these folks into all that God wants to do through them –
including sending out church planters in Hawaii and missionaries to the nations.
