We got a big dose of New Hope Church last weekend. It began with a two and a half hour "Spirit of Aloha" concert on Friday night featuring Big Daddy Weave, the Dove Award winning band that has been topping the Christian music charts with number one singles. The 1500 people in attendance were on their feet for most of the night. It was loud, joyful and exciting.
New Hope's ministry centre is a converted warehouse located just past the huge 40 pier Honolulu harbour, a one hour and forty minute walk from our place in Waikiki. Weekend worship services are offered Saturdays at 5 and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 7, 9 and 11 a.m. Wayne Cordeiro, the founding pastor, preaches at all five services. On Sunday morning we walked there again, arriving just in time to catch the tail end of the 7 a.m. service.
How many people come this early? Enough to fill the sanctuary and the overflow seating in the outer courtyard. This was repeated at the 9 a.m. service which we caught in its entirety. People just kept streaming in while shuttle buses moved people back and forth to six offsite parking areas.
At five minutes to the hour, the band kicked things off with an energetic instrumental. Then Pastor Wayne, wearing a colourful lei, reminded us that worship is about "assigning worth to God." We held hands, received the blessing, hugged our neighbours and launched into song. The church is presenting Les Miserables in June and the actors, including Pastor Wayne in the starring role of Jean Valjean, gave us a taste with a stirring rendition of "One Day More." The message that followed was biblical, practical, and laced with humour and effective stories. The service ended with a brief but effective altar call.
"What makes this church so irresistible?" we asked ourselves as we walked home. The same thing that makes Hope Fellowship so irresistible. Passionate leaders and volunteers offering up their best to Christ. Openness to the moving of the Holy Spirit. An emphasis on God's Word. And the hopeful realization that Jesus graciously intends to rewrite everyone's future, no matter where they've been or what they've done.
We can't wait to return.
- Pastor Peter
New Hope's ministry centre is a converted warehouse located just past the huge 40 pier Honolulu harbour, a one hour and forty minute walk from our place in Waikiki. Weekend worship services are offered Saturdays at 5 and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 7, 9 and 11 a.m. Wayne Cordeiro, the founding pastor, preaches at all five services. On Sunday morning we walked there again, arriving just in time to catch the tail end of the 7 a.m. service.
How many people come this early? Enough to fill the sanctuary and the overflow seating in the outer courtyard. This was repeated at the 9 a.m. service which we caught in its entirety. People just kept streaming in while shuttle buses moved people back and forth to six offsite parking areas.
At five minutes to the hour, the band kicked things off with an energetic instrumental. Then Pastor Wayne, wearing a colourful lei, reminded us that worship is about "assigning worth to God." We held hands, received the blessing, hugged our neighbours and launched into song. The church is presenting Les Miserables in June and the actors, including Pastor Wayne in the starring role of Jean Valjean, gave us a taste with a stirring rendition of "One Day More." The message that followed was biblical, practical, and laced with humour and effective stories. The service ended with a brief but effective altar call.
"What makes this church so irresistible?" we asked ourselves as we walked home. The same thing that makes Hope Fellowship so irresistible. Passionate leaders and volunteers offering up their best to Christ. Openness to the moving of the Holy Spirit. An emphasis on God's Word. And the hopeful realization that Jesus graciously intends to rewrite everyone's future, no matter where they've been or what they've done.
We can't wait to return.
- Pastor Peter
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