WHERE WE WORSHIP
It's a summer to celebrate for New Hope Pearl
By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Faith Editor
Name: New Hope Pearl Community
Denomination: Foursquare church
Where we are: Meet at Pearl City High School Cafeteria, 2100 Ho'okiekie St. (at the end of Waimano Home Road)
Our numbers: 350-400 attendees
Our leader: Guy Higashi, senior pastor.
What we believe: "The Bible is 100 percent true," said Higashi, who adds that members believe in the Trinity (God the father, son and Holy Spirit). They also believe water baptism "is an outward expression of an inward commitment," he said. They also celebrate communion.
"We believe what Jesus did, he is still doing today, and will continue to do in the future," Higashi said.
Our history: The church opened its doors Sept. 10, 2000, as a church plant from New Hope Christian Fellowship Oahu. For four years, Higashi was on staff with Wayne Cordeiro as part of that church's senior management team. They originally met at Leeward Community College's theater, but moved frequently before making Pearl City High's cafeteria its home.
What we are excited about: The summer session 'ukulele-making class — part of its two-year-long "Destiny Ukulele" ministry — will begin Aug. 5. The church is also having its first Hoolaulea Community Celebration on Aug. 16, 4 to 8 p.m. at Pearl City High with inflatables, games, Hawaiian food, music, entertainment and malassadas. Everyone in the community is invited.
What's special about us: People in the Pearl City community know this as the church that built the computer room for Pearl City High School.
"We are known as the people with the purple shirts and purple bumper stickers who helped pass out programs, worked and cleaned up at the first Blaisdell Park Sunset in the Park," Higashi said. "We are the church that (has) motorcycles and biker clubs as outside parking lot ushers during Christmas and Easter. They line the streets, rev their motors and point the way!"
Contact: Higashi at 455-9909; e-mail ohana@newhope-pearl.org; on the Web: www.newhope-pearl.org.
Information submitted by Higashi.
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