Where We Worship
Grass-roots church promotes journey toward peace, healing
By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
• Name of church: Honolulu Church of Light.
The Rev. Fred Sterling, senior minister at Honolulu Church of Light, says a primary focus of the church is "four-body energy healing," which members say takes light energy from God and channels it into someone in need of healing.
• Our denomination and affiliation: nondenominational, with no parent-church affiliation.
• Where we are: 1539 Kapi'olani Blvd., Ala Moana.
• Our numbers: about 200 members.
• Our minister: the Rev. Fred Sterling, senior minister; and the Rev. Carol Morishige and the Rev. Melvin Morishige, associate ministers.
• What we believe: Honolulu Church of Light is a grass-roots ministry that members describe as a sanctuary for peace and healing. They refer to God as "the Creator"
"Our mission in the now is to create a space for those who want a place to express their faith through prayer and the understanding that each human is on a journey," Sterling said. "We believe we are not separated from the Creator, and are here to experience all the possibilities that have been created." Members see this omnipresence as the light that guides everyone, Sterling said.
A primary focus of the church is "four-body energy healing," which members believe includes the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies. Those with the intent and willingness to heal "become a conduit of the Creator's light," said the Rev. Carol Morishige. Members believe that this light energy, described by members as a source of love, can be channeled into someone in need of healing via a combination of touch, meditation and prayer. Members believe that this energy heals all ailments, physical or emotional.
• Our history: The church, which Sterling founded, began in 1995 as the Inward Healing Center on the corner of Beretania and 'A'ala streets. The center evolved into Honolulu Church of Light in 1996, and moved to Cooke and Halekauwila streets in 1997. The church moved in 1999 to its current site, formerly a bank.
• What we're excited about: A major event for the church is the "One Billion Person Peace Prayer Meditation," 10 a.m. Dec. 31 at the church.
"Our goal is, of course, to attain 1 billion people praying simultaneously around the world," Sterling said, adding that the free event is aimed toward getting "the world to focus on peace." It will include a live Internet audio broadcast (with Sterling as host at www.inward.com).
The church first staged the event in 1995 and has involved Sweden, the Philippines, Germany, Japan and Israel. Sterling expects about 250 people to attend the event locally.
Sterling is also enthusiastic about creating a hospice for children, which he says he hopes to establish within the next four years. The hospice, which Sterling describes as a "compassionate care center," would be financed through donations, he said.
• What's special about us: Sterling says an outstanding feature of Honolulu Church of Light is its members "because they're all clearly healing towards a better way of their own life, towards a better understanding of their own individual life."
These are people "choosing to heal their fears, choosing to move forward in love," Carol Morishige added.
Sterling also has a television program called "The Rev," 10-10:30 p.m. Sundays on 'Olelo, channel 52, as well as an Internet broadcast, "The Great Shift with Fred Sterling," 4-6 p.m. Monday at inward.com.
• Contact: Call 952-0880, e-mail theshift@inward.com or visit inward.com.
If you would like to recommend a church, temple or faith organization for a Where We Worship profile, e-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com, call 535-8174 or write: Where We Worship, Faith Page, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.
