Happy Holidays!
Dear Unified … family,
Can you imagine another year has already gone by! You made it through the Unified … calendar year! You are a survivor!
It will be 2 years this coming January 17 since we started this quest together for His presence. We kicked off 2011 with our First Anniversary Luau and baptized over a 120 people. We were also blessed by so many anointed speakers, like Don Mayer, Ray Hughes (2x), Donna Jordan, James Maloney, Ron and Gayle Tanaka, Doug Schneider, Joaquin Evans, Guilio Gibeli, Arthur Burk, Seth Dahl and Laura Griffis, Matt Higa, Kevin and Theresa Dedmon, and David Demian.
Our first graduating youth group under Pastors Aaron and Michelle attended Bethel’s children’s conference in California. Our worship team under Pastors Rodney and Reschel conducted their own worship retreat. Our beloved Annina Doo, stepped down as church secretary to pursue her life dream of finishing graduate school. We added four people to our staff, Pastor Kerry, Pastor Gavin Lum, Pastor Chris Fujino, and Carrie Miyahara. We also started our facility improvement project by removing some old clutter, replacing damaged doors, and repairing our parking lot. Personally I was super surprised and blessed with a totally redesigned office. Wow!
This all took place as I traveled about a third of the year and ministering in Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Canada, California, and Mongolia. Pastors John and Rodney accompanied me on some trips. Also, over 21 people from Unified … attended the 1111 Gathering in BC, Canada. Elaine Arakaki went on a mission trip to China. Also my mom went home in August and we are still adjusting to the suddenness of our lost.
Yes, so much has happened in only a year!
We have been given so many encouraging words from each visiting speaker who spoke from our pulpit. It should be clear by now that God has amazing plans in store for all of us. But it will require for all of us to step up even more as a corporate body. This next season will require a corporate unified family walking together and not just our own individual relationship with God. The Lord is looking for a remnant who He can entrust with His authority and power. A people who are willing to hear and obey Him and step over the chicken line, no matter what that may mean! Unified…, I believe we are just that kind of people who can make a difference for the Kingdom! Get ready! 2012 will be another exciting year!
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We will be closing our church office from December 26 – January 2. We will not be having a Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve Service, but we will be having our Celebration Sundays on December 25 and January 1. We will meet this Wednesday, but taking a break on Wednesday December 28. Our youth group will still be having their weekly Friday meetings throughout the holiday season.
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LMI’s Monday Healing Service will also be closed next week Monday, December 26.
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Finally, monetary donations must be received before December 31, 2011 for it to be counted on your 2011 Tax Deductions.
Kerry and I want to thank you for journeying with us this past year and we wish you and your families a God filled and Spirit led Holiday Season. Jesus will always be the reason for this season!
Mele Kalikimaka and Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!
All our love,
Pastors Dean and Kerry