Risk and Reward on Manoa Blvd.

I didn't think of the Honolulu of narrow, tree-lined streets, teeming with cars, bikes, and walkers sharing the same tight space. Not a mile "as the crow flies" from famous Waikiki Beach this densely packed city has all the bustle of any mainland locale. Of course, the 80-degree weather, palm trees, and seemingly endless sandy beaches drew me back quickly to, "Hey! This is Hawaii." Not that I ever saw those beaches during my few days on Oahu but it was pleasant nonetheless to think of being so close.

It took just 24 hours to be self-educated about the vast mission challenge of this beautiful state. The main island of Oahu contains over 900,000 of the 1.2 million inhabitants of Hawaii. Particularly in Honolulu the people are packed into high-rise apartments or, for the fortunate, on small lots with modest-sized homes. Walking down the street you sense what the demographers' data reveals--this is a melting pot of Polynesian, Asian, and Caucasian individuals for whom the teachings of Christianity remain a new frontier. (I took note that the "Teachings of Buddha" were in the hotel's nightstand drawer next to the Gideon Bible.)

Driving from the hotel Sabbath morning to my speaking appointment at the Japanese Seventh-day Adventist Church on Manoa Boulevard I was thinking of the heritage of faith that has grown in what once called "the Hawaii Mission." Seventh-day Adventist missionaries first came to Hawaii from California in 1885 with the first evangelistic meetings held in a 50-foot tent the next year. This effort produced the first company of 9 members followed by the first frame church building rising on the Islands in 1908 at a cost of $1450.

I was greeted warmly by two ladies at the door, signed the guest book, and settled into a seat in the sanctuary. The multicultural nature of this congregation was immediately evident. During the worship hour the small choir sang beautifully, the organ (played by our daughter's former vice-principal from Newbury Park Academy--Hugh Winn) led the congregation in hymns, and the members responded attentively to the sermon (which was concluded at 3 minutes to Noon!)

Known for its outstanding potlucks, what impressed me about the Manoa Japanese Church was the kindness and graciousness of the members to one another as well as visitors. Happy Birthday music filled the newly remodeled fellowship hall (one of those serenaded was a 96 years-young lady who had joined the church just 3 years ago!), groups sat happily together to enjoy the food, and I was treated to a spirited telling of local church history.

The son of the founding pastor shared a story of risk and reward with me. His father had gone to an auction decades ago as the land the church presently sits upon was up for sale. It was only himself (with a realtor) and an elderly Chinese woman who showed up for the auction. The bidding continued to climb until the limit that the church board had given the pastor was reached. Knowing that this special property was meant for his church he took a risk (with the encouragement of the realtor) and kept going up in the bidding. His auction opponent kept up the pace until he was $5000 over the board-set limit. At that moment he approached the Chinese woman and said, "I'm the Pastor of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and we want to have this property for a church. Would you be so kind as to cease bidding?" With little hesitation she agreed. The Pastor's risk brought the reward of the lovely location and beautiful church that we enjoyed for that Sabbath.

This spirit of mission and growth was further expressed on Sunday as I met with the Hawaii Conference Executive Committee. (Attending an official church meeting like this in my Aloha shirt, which is the required attire, was a novel treat.) Elder Ralph Watts III and the Executive Committee successfully created a balanced budget amid tough economic times that continues to feed the ever-increasing evangelistic opportunities of the beautiful State of Hawaii.

As my plane lifted off early Monday morning I said a prayer and sent my silent Aloha and Mahalo to the believers and leaders of Hawaii for their inspiring service to Jesus.