We are honored the have the 11 series concluded by guest Pastor Doug Bursch on this Palm Sunday. Our other "withnesses" will in one way or another let us down. There is one though who will never let us down and will always be there to remind us of His promises and comfort our wounded hearts- the Paraclete or "comforter". Could it be your God is "too small"? 04.05.2009

Special guest speaker Sid Roberts leads us into the Word in this 2nd to last episode in the 11 series. Just as Jesus' heart cried out for Jerusalem we each need a 'holy place', a place to be 'local' and plant roots. 03.29.2009

Rich and Poor: Just as Lydia financed the ministry of Jesus we each need someone who is sponsoring our vision and providing for the fulfillment of God's call on our lives. In Luke 16:19-31 we see the biblical counterpart of Lydia in Jesus' parable about the poor man Lazarus. We must not be like the rich man in this parable who never gave a second thought about Lazarus while on this earth. 03.22.2009

Just as this little servant girl had to point out the answered prayer of Peter's freedom to the adults in the room so Jesus calls all of us to learn the keys to the Kingdom from the children around us. We cannot take these little "withnesses" for granted. 03.15.2009

Just as Jesus befriended the ultimate social outcast of his day - "chief tax collector" - you and I have to be on the lookout for those who are "up a tree" in one way or another. We are all messed up and not easy to love in some ways so we must love like this! 03.08.2009

Just as the Judge Deborah was to General Barak, we all need someone who is covering us, defending us, fighting with us, protecting us- no matter how tough we thing we are! 03.01.2009

Peter was more of a “hands-on” mentor and Paul more “hands-off”. Regardless of which style of “withness” you learn from better, you need to be learning and apprenticed to one of them in order to deepen your relationship with the Lord and others. 02.22.2009

Just as Barnabas was to Paul we all need a peer-encourager. We don’t need flattery or “yes men” around us, but we do need someone to remind us of what God has called us to do. And what better way to be encouraged than to start off this message with baby dedications. 02.15.2009

We start off this episode with a joyful update from the Burgess family and their premie twins. We welcome guest speaker Pastor David Metsker who has been a mentor to Jon and Cyndi and who consequently tackles this very subject in his message. Just as Timothy was to Paul, we all need someone who we pour our lives into - who literally become like one of our descendants or heirs. We pass on to them all have learned and are learning. 02.08.2009

Just as Jethro was to Moses we need someone who pushes us past our comfort zone and calls us out of ruts and into the purposes of God. Guest speaker Dave Thompson delivers a humorous and much needed reminder that we need a butt-kicker in our lives to not beat us down but to challenge us to get off our pity pot and help us grow. 02.01.2009

Just as Jonathan was to David, it’s having someone in your life that loves you “as himself (herself).” It’s not about who is your “best” friend- we don’t compare one “withness” with another. It’s about who is true no matter what. 01.25.2009

Just as Nathan was to David, it’s taking it a step further then accountability to “edit-ability”- to let the manuscript of your life be “edited” by someone you trust, even if it’s painful. 01.18.2009

We kick off our first series of 2009 with 11; looking at 11 Biblical characters as life metaphors for the 11 companions every person needs on life’s journey. Before the eleven apostles could be martyrs or witnesses for Christ they had to be witnesses of Him by being with Him. This is how we become withnesses of Christ and for each other. These indispensable relationships are what life is all about. We look at defining "withness" and the stumbling blocks that we often run into. 01.11.2009

We kick off 2009 with a beautiful hula and sign dance by our special guests, the Ho family from New Hope Kauai. Pastor Ray "Hung" Ho brings an entertaining and challenging new year's resolution to be better Christians in 2009. From accountability, to a daily relationship with God, to your finances, to family priority, Pastor Ray takes us into what being a better Christian in 2009 looks like with laughter along the way. 01.04.2009

The final episode in this RISK series challenges us to look past the fear, give up our independence, and humbly depend on God as we press into 2009 and set out into the "act of faith" He is calling us to. We look at the biblical examples in Abram and Jesus as to how to do this. Enjoy this special closing of 2008 and accept an invitation to step forward and risk faith in new way in 2009. 12.28.2008

It seems as though everyone these days is striving for a simpler life, but how many are actually achieving success in this endeavor? Within the context of following scripture and Christ, risking simplicity can be quite a difficult challenge, but it is essential. We look at the two Mary stories in scripture as examples of simplicity. What does biblical simplicity require? What does it look like? Find out in this message on Risking Simplicity including a powerful table talk by someone walking through this process. 12.14.2008

Continuing in the series on Risk, we look at the life of Joseph and how he risked reputation in following God's commands dealing with Mary's virgin conception. Join us for this special and intimate Christmas service filled with a theoretical hilarious interaction acted out between Joseph and one of his brothers as well as some incredible worship music and the Hawaiian 12 days of Christmas. Mele Kalikimaka! 12.21.2008

Join us for this post Thanksgiving message on failure. Where is God hand in the things that seem so set up for success but crash in flames? More often than not, we stop before we even start, only taking the safe bets and avoid failure at every possibility. We find that you have to risk failure if you are ever going to experience the exhilaration of victory and that playing it safe is "no way to live". Fear all too often paralyzes us and slowly kills the life within us. There is also the question of success and how you define it, how God defines it and how the world defines it. What happens when we risk failure and what doesn't happen when we don't? 11.30.2008

Special speaker Pastor Albert Moore brings a special message today on the subject of humility and what it looks like to risk it. We focus on the illustration in John 13 as the basis for our investigation into risking humility. We see that in our society and present day culture, humility doesn't make sense and that it is something that is to be stubbornly avoided at all costs. What happens if you embrace humility today? What does that look like? Join us in this investigation and listen for God's voice in the choice in front of you today. 11.23.2008

This episode looks at confrontation, distinct from criticism. We see that possibly the only place where confrontation can be done effectively is from within relationship and being in the trenches with those you're confronting. Confrontation isn't an option if you want true community, according to the word of God and confrontation is not bad, it's just done badly all to often. We look at the biblical requirements for effective confrontation as well as the results of it. 11.16.2008

It is so hard to let go of those things we are striving for, those areas of comfort that we are too familiar with, those items in our life we are so invested in. But what is being sacrificed in the process? If we take the courage to let go, what will fill their place? Also. Who is asking us to let go? Join us as we go on a discovery of what could happen when we are willing to risk surrender versus if we just decide to play it safe. We finish this service with a beautiful illustration of surrender in several baptisms as well as acknowledging Veterans and their surrender in the sacrifices they've made . 11.09.2008