June 2023
Connect - Hawaii Church of God strives to connect the churches to each other, the church with the community and the community to Christ
Bishop Rob and Candie Taylor

Among my earliest and fondest summertime memories are those involving Church of God Camp Meetings. We would load the car, pile inside among the various pieces of luggage that overflowed the trunk, and head for camp meeting. There was nothing like pulling onto the campus and seeing cars parked in every available spot; men and women dressed in their summer best; and kids running excitedly ahead. I can close my eyes and almost smell the fresh-cut grass; hear the music inside the tabernacle; and imagine seeing so many Christian brothers and sisters I had not seen in a long time. I am still haunted by the fiery messages preached with booming voices, red faces, and heartfelt passion. I often trembled at the thought of being that near to the presence of God. It all seemed so mystical and fantastic. What wonderful memories I have of camp meetings gone by.  
 
As I moved beyond childhood, camp meeting took on a different and greater meaning. As a new minister struggling week-to-week in preaching the gospel and trying to lead a small church, I approached camp meeting worn out, beatup, and desperately needing a fresh touch from the Lord. It never failed that being in the camp meeting environment always made me feel refreshed. The messages spoke vibrantly to my life. The music uplifted my soul. The fellowship with other believers, many struggling as much as I was, provided greater nourishment than the meals we shared after service. I cannot count the times that camp meeting was a life-changing, life-sustaining event for me. These annual summertime gatherings were like an oasis in the desert. 
 
As I have become more seasoned, my appreciation of camp meetings has continued to increase. I approach it with an understanding that it is indescribably significant, spiritual, and larger than myself. I come to camp meeting with an expectation for the supernatural presence and work of God. I come intently listening for words that speak life, challenge, warning, instruction, and hope. I come with a heart open for the smiles, hugs, and conversations with my brothers and sisters. I come to camp meeting knowing I will not leave the way I came. I will be different, better for having been to camp meeting.  
 
If you are planning to attend Hawaii Church of God Camp Meeting, I can’t wait to see you here on Oahu. If you are still on the fence trying to decide whether to come, I encourage you, come to camp meeting. You will not regret it. It will make a positive difference for you. If you had not planned to come, I challenge you to rethink that choice. We need each other. We need to get together. We need camp meeting. It is not too late to choose to be part of Hawai’i Church of God Camp Meeting 2023. If you absolutely cannot make it to Oahu join us online for the livestream of each service. It will be on our Facebook page.  
Bishop Rob
Administrative Bishop
Church of God in Hawaii
Bishop Brian and Zara Whitelock


Aloha from the Hawaii Youth & Discipleship Department 
 
Here we are in the month of June, and we all know what that means: Camp Meeting and Youth Camp.  

Our theme for this year’s youth camp is PUSH Forward.  Someone asked me why not just call it Forward.That’s a great question.  The reason why we put the PUSH in front of Forward this year is because sometimes we must PUSH to move forward. 

Have you ever been to that place before? Where it just seems like the world, the enemy or even yourself is standing in your way of moving forward.  

Have you ever heard the phrase coined by Michael Jackson, "don’t stop till you get enough"? That’s right don’t stop till you get enough! Push forward until you can push no more, push until you push down the door! Whatever that door in your life may be. You will push until it’s over. And it’s not over, until God says it’s over! So, push until you receive the word! The word! Yes, the word of God.

When everything seems to go wrong, just P.U.S.H.

When times are hard and faith is low, just P.U.S.H!

When they don’t forgive, when forgiveness is rendered! Just P.U.S.H!

When the job gets you down, P.U.S.H.

When your relationship or marriage is under attack, just P.U.S.H!

When people don’t react the way you think they should, P.U.S.H.

When your kids seem to be falling apart, just P.U.S.H!!!!

When your money looks funny and the bills are due, P.U.S.H.

When people just don’t understand what you are going through and have gone through…you just stand strong and P.U.S.H.!!!

Stand tall. Have faith in HE who is GREATER!!! 

Please be praying for our camp meeting and youth camp. We are believing God for great things. 

Blessings,

Pastor Brian

Brian Whitelock
Youth and Discipleship Director
Church of God in Hawaii

Be sure to check our website often for updates and more information. We are working hard to make it a valuable resource. HawaiiCOG.Org
Now it’s okay to get your phone out in church!
We are so excited to announce that Hawai'i Camp Meeting will now be inside the YouVersion Bible App! You can take your own notes, see our announcements and things you need to know, visit our website, and find handouts and other information this week. 
You’re going to love it. A couple of things for you to do to access it. 
First, make sure you have the newest version of the Bible App. Just go to your app store, to the ‘updates’ section and you can update it right now. 

Second, find our event by clicking “More” and then “Events.” Then click on the map or type http://bible.com/events/49084690 in to the search field. 

Have any questions about how it works? Let us know. We are here to help.

This resource is in lieu of a printed program for Camp Meeting. You can access this information prior to your arrival and have the most up-to-date information instantly.

A Special Invitation from Bishop Taylor Just for You
Pastor Joe Dobbins Delighted to Preach HI Camp Meeting
Bishop Mitch Corder Anticipates HI Camp Meeting
Location, Location, Location:
Hawaii Church of God Camp Meeting will be held at the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu: 94-428 Mokuola Street, Suite 302 • Waipahu , Hawai‘i 96797. Individuals off island may want to consider accommodations in Kapolei.
Click on the image to download the PDF
Special Announcement: On-line registration required. Pay by credit card or bank account on-line or mail in a church check for all your students.

Affirm - Hawaii CoG affirms every individual & his or her calling.
Join us in the celebration of their graduation at Hawai'i Church of God Camp Meeting, Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 7:00PM.
Hawai'i Church of God Recognizes Inaugural CAMS Graduates
There are many reasons to celebrate the inaugural CAMS class for Hawaii. We can think of at least 14:

  1. Joe Louis Abell
  2. Jason A. Albino
  3. Jeralyn Albino
  4. Mark John Arista
  5. Stefanie Calizo
  6. Jozel Hawthorne
  7. James Lee
  8. Antonio Maganis
  9. Patricia Sievers
  10. Raquel Taguchi
  11. Alexander Torres
  12. Syrahlyn Vergara
  13. Stephen "Charlie" Villberg
  14. Charletta Wilson
Application Deadline is July 7, 2023
Download the MIP fact sheet here
Taketo Nakashima Honored

We are excited to share with you that Sister Nakashima has been honored on the Church of God Women's Ministries page for her lifetime achievement. Thank you to TJ Pennington for putting the article and the photos together.

Click here and scroll down to read the article.
We Celebrate

June Birthdays

2 Winston Elliott
6 Antonio Maganis
22 Estilita Tagayuna
23 Charletta Wilson
23 David Nanod


Photo by Adi Goldstein on Unsplash
Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)

Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
Resourcing - Hawaii CoG Resources the Minister & the Local Church



Latest Edition Available

Engage Journal is published three times a year (January, May, and September) and produced by Church of God Communications. The journal caters primarily to the interests of church leaders. including senior pastors, youth, children, music, and lay ministers.

You read above that we are on the Bible App. It is free for you to use this tool to help keep the communication avenues open between the church and congregation. We encourage you to take advantage of this free tool.

~Our job as pastors and church leaders is to shepherd people toward God. And with modern technology vying for the attention and time of people all over the world, it can be tricky. By leveraging technology in new ways, we're better equipped to keep people connected to God in a constantly-changing world.
YouVersion Events

YouVersion Events is the free tool created just for churches that allows you to host sermon notes, verses, links, and more right inside the Bible App. 

Below you'll find marketing resources to help you launch YouVersion Events in your church. Included are a ProPresenter slide, social media images, a printable graphic, and sample social media posts and stage announcements. 

Evangelize - Hawaii CoG Evangelizes to Win Souls for the Kingdom
3 Values that Lead to Evangelism | Free Church Resources ...

"How do I inspire my church to be involved in evangelism?" At Alpha, that's the one question we most often hear from church leaders-and it's an important one for a couple of reasons. First, if we mobilize our whole congregation to engage with...

Read more
open.life.church
Chris Walker contemplates how a first time visitor to church may feel by relating his recent experience.

Being mindful of those who may not be familiar with our services and vocabulary tells them we truly welcome them to our gatherings.
Serve - Hawaii CoG Exists to Serve One Another, Our Communities, Hawaii & Our World
Rev. Cecillia Hoopai
Hawaii Spirit Care Representative
Hoopai Serves as Hawai'i Spirit Care Representative
All State/Regional SpiritCare Representatives are appointed by the Administrative Bishop for a period of two years coinciding with the General Assembly term. The names are then sent to the Center for Ministerial Care office in Cleveland, Tennessee. 

As a representative Rev. Hoopai operates under the authority of the Administrative Bishop and in cooperation with the Center for Ministerial Care in promoting the general welfare of the retired ministers and widows in Hawai'i.
As you pray for Hawaii, Partner with Bishop Taylor.

Ask Jehovah for:

  1. Stratagies
  2. Connections & Favor
  3. Resources

needed to complete the kingdom work.


Pray for Revival:

  • Among the different cultures on our Islands
  • In our schools and educational institutions
&
  • Among those who may feel discouraged in their faith, movement or church.
Pastor Evan & Lucy Palmer-Serving through prayer. Submit prayer needs to the Palmers by clicking on their photo.

Pastors, watch your email for the prayer slides for the month.
Missions Month Offerings
We are hearing the testimonies of the offerings collected for May Missions Month. We celebrate with you.

You can either sent your offering to Hawaii State Office or bring it with you to Camp Meeting for our World Missions Celebration. Your faithfulness to missions shows the Hawai'i CARES is not just a program. It is the lifestyle of Hawai'i Church of God.
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
Do You Have What It Takes to Make a Difference for Hawai'i Youth Camp?
Staff Registration Is Open
The best example of servant leadership came from Christ as he was about to be betrayed. He did not consider his own self, as he wanted to lead by example. You can be the embodiment of this teaching by giving of your time, resources and talent to make a life-long difference for students this summer.



CAMPER SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNTIES:
Youth Camp is one of the most successful ministries in the Church of God. Many ministers can trace their calling into ministry, and even their salvation to youth camp. The significance of this ministry should not be missed because a student cannot afford the camp fees and/or the airline ticket to get to camp.

If you would like to contribute to help a student get to camp, feel free to email YD Director, Brian Whitelock and let him know your intentions. Even if you cannot cover the full amount, every bit helps.

Mahalo nui loa.
Are you unable to serve for a week, but still want to impact the lives of students? We thought you would be interested. Click the button below to make a donation to Church of God in Hawaii Youth Department for Camp. Your investment will make the difference!