Hawaiian Islands Ministry's Honolulu 2005 Christian Conference: A Good Time with the Good News

I have spent the past three days at the annual Honolulu HIM (“Hawaiian Islands Ministry”) 2005 Conference held at the Honolulu Convention Center. The conference is a gathering of nearly 4000 Christians each year for “equipping” Pastors and church leaders for ministry. This year nearly 200 local churches representing 40 denominations participated. A special pre-session for pastors attracted 100 of us. Over 500 Sr & Jr High Youth registered and 1600-2000 adults and youth attended the Friday evening concert programs that lasted until midnight.

Conference speakers this year included John Ortberg (formerly Willow Creek Community Church, now Menlo Park Presbyterian Church), Bob Russell (14,000 member Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY), John Yates (Fall River Church), Bunny Wilson, Paul Sheppard, Tony Campolo and many more. The theological perspective is clearly Evangelical but serves as a broad clearinghouse for diverse traditions and expressions of the Gospel. Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Seventh-Day Adventist, Assembly of God, Hope Chapel, Calvary Chapel, New Hope Christian Fellowship, Presbyterian (HIM was founded and is still led by Presbyterians Dan & Pam Chun), Baptist, UCC and many independent churches, pastors and leaders were present and involved in leading workshops, etc.

Those of us connected through HIM have been affirming that there in only one Church of Jesus Christ which meets in different times and different places. We have taken to referring to us in the collective sense as the Church of Oahu. Worship and Praise with 3000+ people representing so many Christian traditions (mainline, independent, pentecostal, four-square, etc.) is exhilarating, to say the least! Over the years friendships have formed which have created networks for ministry that join our unique resources for the greater work of God's Kingdom.

I have come home filled, inspired and exhausted. I’m glad that our youth are taking the lead in tomorrow morning’s worship!

I encourage anyone reading this to check out the HIM website and consider a trip to Hawaii for next year’s Conference. And, by the way, did I mention that there’s a beach somewhere nearby?