2024 YEAR IN REView
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
1 John 4:9Our mission as a church could be simply summarized as this: God’s love for us, our love for God, love for one another, and love for the world! As we reflect on all that God has done this past year, I am so grateful for all the ways we have seen God's love demonstrated among us. I pray you would be encouraged in your faith and excited for all that God has for us in the future as you read through our Year in Review. God has been so faithful to us as a church family and used us in powerful ways to make an impact for His Kingdom here in Maui and throughout the world.
A person can give without loving, but he cannot love without giving! As 2024 comes to a close we want to finish strong in our finances and share about 4 key areas of ministry investment for 2025 which include moving towards living wages for our dedicated staff team, building up our capital improvement fund to care for our campus, increase our support for global missions, and growing our children's and youth ministries. By year's end, we are trusting that we will meet our budget and be ready to reach even more people with the message of God's love this next year.
Better Together,
Ben
125 people
made a public
proclamation of
faith in Christ this year!
made a public
proclamation of
faith in Christ this year!
Baptism is an outward expression of our inward faith. Here at Hope we celebrate our brothers and sisters declaring this with us as a family- we're excited to share that 125 people made a public proclamation of faith in Christ this year!
We hosted the Gospel Fluency Workshop, led by pastor and author Jeff Vanderstelt, equipping over 200 participants to speak the truths of Jesus into the everyday stuff of life. Through Biblical teaching, powerful stories, and practical steps to live out the Gospel, we were encouraged and renewed in our faith!
Our annual All-Church Series this year saw all 60 of our 'Ohana Groups studying Practicing the Way, with our Young Adults, Youth, and Kids ministries also getting on the same page to focus on learning how to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do as Jesus did. And get this- the largest gathering had 151 of us in 17 different table groups meeting each week under the big tent in the courtyard!
Hope has home-grown missionaries all over the world, and we believe in fulfilling the Great Commission by providing monthly financial support and sending teams to encourage these faithful Gospel workers. This summer we had the opportunity to send our first short-term team to the Philippines in over 20 years to support our missionaries Bobby and Noemi Pino. The team brought outreach to the community and kids and they witnessed God’s faithfulness in how the Pino's ministry has flourished and grown, with many churches planted!
One of our favorite ways to honor our visiting missionaries or returning short-term mission teams is to hear the stories of God's power and provision at Mission Mornings. By inviting the church to share a meal and hear first-hand about their faith and the fruit of these ministries, the body is built up and many are encouraged to go out into the mission field, both here and abroad!
A group of dedicated and godly men are laying the groundwork for the launch of a churchwide men's ministry in 2025, starting with a multi-week training on the foundation we have in Christ. Pray with us that many more would join the mission- To the King!
This year we continued to equip parents and leaders to disciple the next generation by hosting the Intentional Parents Class and Workshop. Over 150 parents participated in this transformative eight-week study and workshop, designed to help them in their God-given task of raising their children to follow Jesus. Together, we’re shaping and discipling the next generation!
Now more than ever, we need to equip & disciple our kids. For the first time since 2020, we got the team back together and took 88 kids to Camp 56! This weekend was full of fun games, strong Bible teaching, and powerful worship all designed to build relationships and give kids the opportunity to know Jesus & grow in their faith at a crucial time in their spiritual formation. Praise God!
Vertical Sports started right here on Maui and encourages kids to compete To- By- For: according to God's word, by His power, and for His glory! This year, Sports Camp reached new heights welcoming over 700 kids, supported by 307 volunteers and 45 guest coaches across 11 sports over 5 unforgettable days. Let's celebrate the 161 kids who made life-changing decisions for Christ during camp this year!
Hume Lake Christian Camp has been a highlight for our Youth for nearly 30 years, where a change of place and pace brings fresh perspectives. We brought a record 58 students and 9 leaders to camp this year and saw lifelong friendships being forged, and 15 youth decided to get baptized together! Join us in praying that the seeds planted will grow and bear fruit for generations as we plan to take even more to camp with us this year.
We had an wonderful visit from Na Hoku award-winning Zeo Worship! Their fusion of modern worship music, 'Olelo Hawai'i, incredible vocals and storytelling combined with the gathering of many churches made for a memorable weekend of worship with this amazing group from O'ahu.
Sixty young adults attended the Kauai retreat this July where they built lasting community and grew in their walks with the Lord. Our Young Adults meet every Wednesday for Bible study and every weekend at Big Beach to play volleyball- God is doing incredible things in the Young Adults at Hope!
Women from churches across the island gathered to "Dig Deeper" together and get into God's word as they shared how to respond to trials and stand firm in faith, whether here at home and across the globe in the mission field. Studying together and finding community through the truths of scripture is the foundation of women's ministry at Hope!
Global Reach
"The mission continues and is flourishing as we are also reaching out to the unreached people groups in the Philippines"
God's provision in the Philippines!
Over the past 39 years, Bobby and Noemi Pino, based out of the Philippines, have started over 200 churches, put on 20-30 crusades per year, run two ministry schools for young adults, and feed over 200 children in poverty every week. And Bobby shares that a big part of it all started with the love, help and support of Hope Chapel. Their ministry began in 1985 with a calling to plant churches so that the Filipino people could develop a personal relationship with Jesus. They explained that the majority of Filipinos know God because of their Catholic background, but do not have a personal relationship with Jesus.
Noemi shares: “Way back in the 1990s when Hope Chapel Maui came to our island for the first time we were beginning our church planting efforts. That first mission team sent from Hope Chapel was so timely. They helped us with crusades (local community outreaches) in different places, municipalities and cities in our island. Now we have churches built and established in those places. We are still church planting and God has been using our Bible School, where we are training young people to respond to the call of God in their lives and many of our graduates are helping us with the various ministries and becoming the leaders of the local churches we plant."
"We continue to pray for Hope Chapel who has been helping us financially to keep the ministry going in terms of evangelism and training. We never stop doing the work. The mission continues and is flourishing as we are also reaching out to the unreached people groups in our country. Thank you church for your help. You are part of what we are doing in the Philippines. You are God-sent to stand with us and make the work in the ministry keep going. When Pastor Kyle with his family and other Hope Chapel family came [this past summer], the passion in reaching the lost had been even more ignited. Their presence reminds us and encourages us to keep going knowing that we are not alone. God reminded us of his faithfulness through your people and church. We can't do this alone. We needed you. And together we can do more in fulfilling God's Great Commission. We are thankful to you and the whole church.”
- Noemi
God’s Love in Action: Hope for Refugees
Through Hope Chapel you support the work of Global Hope Network International (GHNI) in countries like Egypt where refugees fleeing from violence and civil instability in war-torn Sudan can find hope and healing. The focus of GHNI extends far beyond temporary relief from hunger, illness or lack of shelter. They also focus on long term wholistic development so communities have the tools to thrive on their own for years to come.
From Christina, a Sudanese refugee: “We fled to Egypt, escaping the war in Sudan. Before that we lived in a beautiful, big house and had a decent life in Khartoum. We came to some of friends in Ezbet El-Hagana in Cairo. At first adapting was tough and difficult….a different culture. We faced bullying from some Egyptians because of our Black skin color. Many families live together in one apartment without any necessities of life, no food, no bed, no fans despite the intense heat of the summer. We were afraid and broken and I wished to return to Sudan again. But we got to know the GHNI team who planted hope in us. They helped us since our arrival and provided us with food, a new mattress, pillow, sheets and a fan. They asked us to join the class for children and women. The best time for me was what happened to me in the trauma counseling course last April. I recovered from my psychological pain and great shock. With the follow up from the GHNI team, I became full of hope. I learned how to work on the sewing machine and I hope to start a sewing project through which I can work and profit.”
An Update on the Land Sale
In 2018 we entered into an agreement to sell a portion of undeveloped land (the southern-most part of Hope's parcel) to our current neighbor Hale Mahaolu, along with a development group who is partnering with them. Hale Mahaolu is meeting a great need in the community by providing affordable housing for the elderly across the island, and they are seeking to expand by creating even more affordable senior housing here in Kihei.
We are excited to report that in July 2024, the land sale was successfully completed! As Ben shared, with the proceeds we were able to retire our mortgage, reallocate those funds that used to go to our lender, and do even more for the Kingdom in the areas of caring for our staff through a living wage, doing much-needed deferred maintenance on our building and campus, increasing our support for our global missionaries, and growing our children’s and youth ministries.
2024 Financial Report
This year, we as a church have all felt the growing demands of inflation, increased cost of living, and the immense needs across the island from the after-effects of the Maui wildfires. By the grace of God we have been able to help more people and do more ministry than ever before. The Board of Elders is grateful for the generosity of our church family and it’s amazing to see how the faithfulness of one church in the middle of the Pacific can make such an impact for the Kingdom! A few financial notes:
-We entered December 2024 with a giving shortfall of $399,655 (as of December 6)
-We have kept spending low and have saved $163,979 (6.3%) compared to our year-to-date budget
-Through our Kokua Fund, this year you have helped us give $162,578 to 183 families, individuals, and organizations, many of whom are navigating very difficult times after the wildfires
-We have launched the Rebuild Hope program- after distributing over $1 Million in direct aid to individuals and families in 2023 and millions of dollars of supplies and donations, Hope is continuing our commitment to the long-term recovery and care of wildfire survivors by establishing this special grant and scholarship program. Stewardship of the program is provided by a select panel of advisors and is under the leadership of the Elders, and by God’s grace we will distribute $350,000 per year for the next four years to small businesses, families, and individuals directly affected by the fires
-Every year, we undergo a voluntary comprehensive audit- for more details you can review our 2022 Audited Financial Statements here (2023 Audited Financial Statements will be posted as soon as they are available)
Like many churches and nonprofits, a large portion of our giving comes in the month of December, and with your generosity and partnership in the Gospel we will finish strong, meet our budget for 2024, and be ready for all that the Lord has for us in the coming year. Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity!
Moving Forward with Hope in 2025.
We are entering a season filled with faith in our God “who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” and we are excited for what he will continue to do through our church, so that “to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!” (Eph 3:20-21). With the participation of each of us, we are believing that we will meet our current giving shortfall, plus the remainder of December’s giving, to make budget this year.
Please join us in asking God how he would have you participate in the ministry of Hope Chapel through a special year-end financial gift.
**A note on non-cash gifts: a gift of appreciated stock, land, or other non-cash assets made before 12/31 has significant tax advantages- please contact us and we can help!