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The Resurrection is an article of faith very precious to our beloved kahu Kekapa Lee. His unwavering belief in the Resurrection is the growth engine in his vision and ministry.
Much has been said of our beloved kahu Kekapa Lee as a man of passion. I dare say much more will be said of him as a man of compassion.
Praise God that I can take this occasion to say a few words of our beloved kahu Kekapa Lee as a man driven by his belief in the Resurrection which then evolves into making him a man with a vision.
I first met our beloved kahu Kekapa Lee when I moved to Hawai`i in 2002.
At that time, he was the Papa Makua of the Hawaiian churches whose task and ministry was to improve the lot of the numerous Native Hawaiian churches many of which were and are still small in numerical strength.
Firstly, as a man of vision based on his strong belief in Christ’s Resurrection and in his capacity as Papa Makua, he strongly supported the efforts of The Henry `Opukaha`ia Center for Pacific Theological Studies [HOC] in equipping the natural leaders of our Native Hawaiian churches to exercise pastoral roles. Consequently, there are now several graduates from the HOC program who are now pastoring Native Hawaiian churches.
Secondly, he was also instrumental in getting HOC to do the Master of Divinity degree program via the Vancouver School of Theology.
Again, praise God, two graduates from that program have served churches in our Hawaiian Conference United Church of Christ.
Our beloved kahu Kekapa Lee’s vision helped me a lot when I as the Executive Director and Dean of The Henry `Opukaha`ia Center for Pacific Theological Studies [HOC], 2004 – 2007, was implementing the two above-mentioned programs, resistance from – as a measure of respect I won’t mention his name – notwithstanding.
Thirdly, I received a lot of assistance and encouragement from our beloved kahu Kekapa Lee’s vision based on Christ’s Resurrection in trying to promote a proposed HOC road map on co-operating with other churches in Hawai`i to start the
– Hawaiian School of Mission whereby Hawaiian churches can be a contemporary Antioch. The Early Church sent out missionaries who started their missionary enterprise from Antioch. Acts of the Apostles, chapter 13, verses 1 – 3; 15: 30 – 41. This is a program very dear to our beloved Kekapa Lee’s vision.
– Hawaiian Institute for Church and Society to foster ways and means where people of all faiths or of no faith can cooperate with and encourage each other to achieve in-depth work on Hawaiian virtues seen in Mālama ka `āina [caring for the land], Mālama ka kai [caring for the sea], and Mālama ka wa`a [caring for the canoe]. As a Hawaiian, our beloved kahu Kekapa Lee has been fostering such an aspiration.
– Hawaiian Gospel and Cultures Study Center to facilitate efforts by all Hawaiians regardless of color or creed in promoting a life-style that’s not dominated by irrational consumerism nor a clash of religions, races, civilizations, and cultures. On the contrary, it proactively cultivates justice, peace, and the integrity of creation [JPIC]. As a man of vision, our beloved kahu Kekapa is so much into the rich Hawaiian culture, hence his support of advancing Hawaiiana.
– Meeting clergy needs by way of inviting experts to conduct Workshops/Seminars on contemporary concerns/issues like cross-cultural counseling, transforming congregational culture, and boundary issues to meet the need of continuing theological education for clergy.
Unfortunately, due to lack of support, interest, and foresight on the part of – as a measure of respect I won’t mention his name – the proposed HOC road map never saw the light of day, hence the absence of efforts to do a pilgrimage from viability to vitality.
It is not an accident that both words – viability and vitality – come from the Latin word, vita, meaning life.
The Resurrection is an article of faith very precious to our beloved kahu Kekapa Lee. His unwavering belief in the Resurrection is the growth engine in his vision and ministry.
Mahalo nui loa, kahu, for your inspiring vision in your humble ministry and creative leadership in First Chinese and beyond.