When it rains … it pours. So the saying goes—and that was certainly the case in a ministry I once oversaw. It began with one volunteer, then two, then three—each coming to me with heartfelt concerns, hurts, and complaints about their leadership. Over the following months, I spent countless hours meeting with individuals, pairs, and groups...
The darkness and ugliness of turmoil, hardship, sickness, and sin will always be part of life on this side of eternity. Pain is real. Struggles and brokenness live among us—so does love. We were created to love and be loved—every single day. Eternal, unconditional love was born in a manger, living and giving his life...
I sensed the Lord’s affirmation regarding my views on “Church Membership.” I ran into a couple of brothers who were very, very involved with church ministry at one time. One brother became a pastor at a New Hope church plant. Our conversation led me to write the devotional below. Former Church Members Hurt by Leadership There are too many...
“So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.” Ephesians 2:19-21...
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out...
“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”John 12:26 ESV For over a decade I worked in the restaurant/hospitality industry. I also worked in customer service and sales for a few years. Serving customers with integrity, grace, compassion,...
“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be...
But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only...
“… and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’”Luke 3:22 NIV Happy Valentine’s Day, ‘Ohana! As the world celebrates love and partnership, in God’s eyes and heart, NO ONE LOVES YOU MORE THAN...
“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.”Psalm 145:13 NIV Have you ever been disappointed when your prayers weren’t answered or desires not met? I’ve questioned God many times, not understanding Him or His will. Especially when...
Pastor Rod has been in ministry for more than 38 years. He has shepherded and overseen a variety of ministries, including children’s, youth, college, community/missions, discipleships/small groups, worship and the arts, as well as assisting and consulting with several church planters. Since moving back to Honolulu from Kansas City in 2000, Rod has served on Pastor Wayne Cordeiro’s executive team at New Hope O‘ahu. He has pastored the New Hope Mānoa ‘ohana since January 2015.
