In keeping with the Hawaii Conference’s vision of “Each One Reach One,” six Oahu churches—Aiea, Diamond Head, Honolulu Central, Kailua, Kaneohe and Waimanalo—recently completed Spiritual Foundations evangelistic campaigns in conjunction with the Andrews University Theological Seminary.

Donald James, associate director of the North American Division Evangelism Institute and seminary professor, brought a team of 10 seminary students to Hawaii for field school. Unlike other field schools, these students wrote and presented their own sermons, visited and gave Bible studies to various interests, and worked with and strengthened the present Ohana (holistic small groups) in Hawaii.

Based on the concept of friendship evangelism, church members were encouraged to get to know their neighbors prior to the meetings through prayer-walking, various church-sponsored seminars and activities (vegetarian food fairs, health screenings, movie nights, etc.) and simply inviting them over for a meal. “People don’t care until they know how much you care,” says Don James. “You have to get to know them first — their families, their interests, their likes and dislikes — before you can invite them to a meeting like this.”

The meetings were held in fellowship halls around round tables, which allowed for church members and visitors to spend time getting to know one another a little better. Those attending the meetings were first fed physically with a light dinner and then spiritually with worship, a short sermon and a discussion on the material presented. “The discussion time allows for the message to be brought home,” said Eddie General, pastor of the Kaneohe church. “There will be times when someone at your table says something in a slightly different way which makes more sense.”

The last night of the series culminated with a gathering at the Honolulu Central church, where more than 300 people came representing the six churches. They ate dinner, listened to an inspirational message, and shared the results of the meetings. Those people who had given their lives to Jesus during the series were baptized.

Between that night and the following Sabbath, 23 people were baptized, and many others decided to continue growing in Christ. From there, the new members will be encouraged to join an Ohana group where they will continue the discipleship process and learn and grow in their Christian walk.

“The evangelistic meetings made a major impact in our participating churches,” says Ralph Watts III, president of the Hawaii Conference. “Not only has God blessed with all the wonderful baptisms, but there is also a spiritual revival which has revitalized the churches. Only eternity will tell the whole story of all the lives changed for Jesus Christ through the preaching ministry of the seminary evangelists.”