The Ministry of Many

Jun. 21, 2023

Contributed by Kahu Kalani Wong, KS Maui

Heluhelu Baibala/Bible Reading
3 Ke hoʻomaikaʻi aku nei au i koʻu Akua i nā manawa a pau aʻu i hoʻomanaʻo ai iā ʻoukou; 4 I nā pule a pau aʻu no ʻoukou a pau, ua pule nō au me ka ʻoliʻoli, 5 No ko ʻoukou hoʻolauna ʻana i ka ʻeuanelio, mai ka lā mua mai, a i nēia wā. 6 Ua maopopo koʻu manaʻo i kēia mea, ʻo ka mea nāna i hoʻomaka i ka hana maikaʻi i loko o ʻoukou, nāna nō ia e hoʻomau a hiki i ka lā o Iesū Kristo.- Pilipi 1:3-6
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.- Philippians 1:3-6

He Manaʻo o ke Kahu Kalani Wong, KS Maui
Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo to all who came to support me in my Service of Release last night. As I anticipate my retirement at the end of the month, it was time to be released of my kuleana as kahu of Maui Campus. This allows the next Kahu to be able to do ministry in his or her own way. I’ve been told that person will have some large shoes to fill. Well…sorry, but I’m taking my shoes with me. The next chaplain will bring their own shoes, or slippers, or Crocs, as well as their own gifts and ways of doing ministry. They will take the spiritual program at KS Maui in ways that I never could, because they are them and not me. And I am glad for that because I was here to take the program to a certain place. Now it’s time to see where it will go and grow.

I, like Paul give thanks to each and every one of you as you participate in the gospel. As you speak the words that God gives you, as you serve with the strength ka ‘Uhane Hemolele empowers you with, ke Akua’s work is done. I praise God for all the moʻolelo that were shared but know that as each story was told, it wasn’t just about me. Nothing is ever done by one single person. There are so many supporting characters in each incident. Some of you who are reading this were in that mix. Ministry is great when it is done by many.

As I look forward to what lies ahead, I wait with bated breath to see what God will reveal for the next phase of my life. Sorry, no ramen restaurant but maybe a pop-up meal or two. But yes, to joining the group of guys who will do projects at church or members’ homes. That’s preaching the Gospel of aloha. May you too take part in the sharing the love of God and know that “He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.”