Where We Worship
Grace Bible Church has come a long way
By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer
• Name of church: Grace Bible Church Honolulu.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
• Our affiliation: Morning Star International, Nashville.
Bruce Ho, senior pastor of Grace Bible Church Honolulu, says the 'Alewa Heights congregation is committed to honoring God and advancing his kingdom.
• Where we are: 1052 'Ilima Drive, 'Alewa Heights.
• Our numbers: average attendance of 400 members every Sunday.
• Our pastor: Bruce Ho, senior pastor.
• What we believe: "Our vision-slogan is to be a people with passion for God and compassion for people," Ho said. "Our mission statement is: 'turning unbelievers into believers, believers into disciples, and disciples into ministers.'
"We're really about honoring God and advancing his kingdom," Ho said.
• Our history: The church was founded in 1958 by Mel Amrine, who was from the Midwest, and his wife, Doris, of Kaua'i. Members first gathered in a home in Kalihi Valley, then in a Quonset hut, also in Kalihi Valley. From there, the congregation moved to a building at Likelike Highway and Nalanieha Street. Then in 1971, the church moved to its current location in 'Alewa Heights.
• What we're excited about: The church is teaming up with Palama Settlement for a Halloween-related event called "Family Fun Night" on Oct. 26. The free event is open to the public and will "provide a safe, fun environment for kids," Ho said. Highlights include children's activities, rides, entertainment and more.
• What's special about us: "I think one thing that makes us stand out would be the community center that we have in Kalihi Valley," Ho said.
The center, on 3097 Kalihi Street, is known as the Connexion, and reaches out to local families with weekly food distributions for the Hawai'i Foodbank, an activity center for youths and a ministry discipleship program.
The church has numerous ministries, including Chosen Generations for children ages 6 months old through junior high, New Genesis for junior high students through young adults, Focus Ministry for singles age 30 and up, Family Ministries for married couples and families with children, and Senior Servants for age 55 and up.
Ho also described the church as "being international in scope."
"We've always got people from other nations who are part of our staff here, and we also have a number of churches in other countries that we minister to, (that) we started," he said.
"What we're generally known for in the church community is our worship and music," Ho said. "I think with the worship we have, generally, it brings people a sense of intimacy with God.
"We also have youth bands that have traveled within the Islands, the Mainland and internationally. (They) have done worship seminars both here and abroad."
The church is also the site of Grace Bible Christian School. The school, which has been around since the early 1970s, serves 55 students in preschool through grade 5.
Contact: Call 595-6381 or visit www.gbch.org
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.
