March - April 2024 Dear praying brethren,
We’re grateful to the Lord for the liberty to be here and minister the word of God to anyone the Lord sends us. Our last two months have consisted of…
Resurrection Sunday: We pushed hard to invite neighbors, contacts, colleagues, strangers, and friends. We had about 30 confirmations. We put great effort into cleaning our construction zone, doing everything within our power to make our little church look nice; we cooked really good food and that, not a little. Two guests came. Nonetheless, we’re thankful to the Lord that all the effort wasn’t in vain and that these two reputable people heard a clear, concise presentation of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We’ve since followed up with them. They’re interested but cautious and slow (the way I like it). Two other visitors came the following Sunday because they couldn’t make it the week before.
Rain: We have had copious amounts of rain dating back from October. Each break of sunshine we get, we all think, “now the rainy season is finally over” only to be followed by more rain.
Street ministry: We continue to go on the street once a week. We meet people, hold short conversations, pass out tracts, and have had the occasional one-time visitor to church after that. So far, we would have called our street ministry fairly uneventful, until we found out that we made it into two real estate videos about Wahiawa! Quote # 1: “It’s an interesting area. Sometimes you see people on the street corners over here with, like, these Jesus signs saying, you need to be saved and repent, and things of that nature.” Quote # 2: “Don’t move to Wahiawa, if… you don’t like rain. Don’t move to Wahiawa, if… you don’t like people holding signs, saying God is going to judge you, you’re going to burn in hell. There’s a big presence of a certain church that’s very evangelical.”
Visiting Brethren: We have a few more visitors still to come this year. I really do enjoy hosting guest workers and preachers. The Lord has used this beautiful symbiosis to provide fellowship for me and “the Ang” as well as to send helpers to continue building up the church.
Projects: By God’s grace, our driveway will be poured the third week of July. I marvel at the Lord’s providence. We also are ready to add Hawaiian stone veneer to the first 10’ of our building (on two sides). This will make our church look MUCH different. Besides this, we’re hoping to get sheet metal siding on the same two sides (facing two streets) before the end of the year. Just this morning, I received a phone call from a brother who will come in the fall and wants to bring, of all things, a sheet metal installer. (No, they didn’t know of the need.) Just a few weeks ago, a master welder called and asked if we had any welding needs. I’m happy to announce that our lanai (40’ x 40’) fellowship area now has “new legs” which should last us until the rapture. It looks very nice. I praise God for very literally answering the need before we asked. I love it that way. It’s our small opportunity to “see Jesus” in yet one more way.
Still on the renovation docket: 2,400 sq. ft. of tile for the auditorium floor; a LOT of sheetrock work; installing our double door to the lanai; finishing out bathrooms. We’ll trust the Lord for each of these things.
The biggest prayer request I have: Hawaii is known for its corruption. The year before we bought our building, four of the heads of our Department of Planning and Permitting were led away in handcuffs for taking bribes. Everywhere on the island, people are waiting on getting their permits. The story is too long to tell here, but we need grace in the eyes of our permitters regarding an electrical box and occupancy permit. PLEASE pray the Lord help us. It could change our future here if things don’t work out.
How not to do things: Rick Warren came to Oahu. In my 30 years in Germany I’d heard of him but never paid much attention. Our of sheer curiosity, I went to his 8-hour Saturday seminar - and left as soon as I could after the first hour. It is amazing how the Lord hides wisdom from those who are not willing to pay the price for it. Although I could write a book about my experience, I can summarize what I heard with this terse declaration: “It’s not necessarily what he said that’s so wrong. It’s what he DIDN’T SAY!” He carefully left out companion verses that would have caused his subject matter to shine in a VERY different light. He removed the reproach of hard Bible truths to dull the sting and make it more palatable for his worldly “christian” audience. The spirit behind the whole movement is “gain is godliness”. Brethren, Paul declared the whole counsel of God. Go and do ye likewise. Don’t sacrifice the whole of truth for prosperity and feigned success. The missing element of American “christianity” is not quantity, but QUALITY! What shame to think of the people who coveted success so eagerly down here, only to discover they’re paupers in heaven for not playing according to the rules. ‘Nuf said. (Never believe a pastor when he says anything about being “terse”.)
I preached for Bro. Harley Keck for the first time in 1997. We became friends quickly and easily. He’s now the youth pastor of his church and they have a very recommendable practice called “Six by Six”. When a boy graduates, he’ll work six months for his home church and then six months on the mission field. They’ve entrusted me to receive and work with one of their boys. He’s a good boy. I’ve known his daddy since we were much younger men. Don’t get bent outta shape, but I’ve always thought the Mormons were doing something right by sending all their kids to the mission field for a time. Maybe you’d consider doing something like this with your pearls. The young man is with us until July and is a blessing and much needed help. No one here remembers changing his diapers and so he’s treated like a man and loaded with responsibilities. Think of the potential. If you want more info on this, contact me or better, Bro. Keck or his successor, Bro. Matthews.
Sadly, the family that’s been with us the longest - 2.5 years - is leaving in a few days. Few people in my past have received discipleship as well as they have. He took last Sunday night and testified in grand overtures how that his, his wife’s and their three sons’ lives have been so changed since joining Bible Baptist Church. “I’ve learned more Bible in 2.5 years than I have in my last 26 years of being a Christian.” Even his youngest son (8 years old) stood in my pulpit and praised God for the grand changes in his life since he was “young”. His testimony was so earnest and hilarious, it was all we could do not to laugh. It was clear he wanted to be just like his daddy!
For their departure, the Lord has sent us two more families which will keep our attendance levels on par. We’re praying that the newest young Army couple will come again as they said they would. (It’s hard to know if they really mean it until they return.) Another family of five just joined & we’re thankful to have them under the Lord’s tutelage.
My Angie is growing in popularity here. Everyone has always liked Ang. She’s the best wife I’ve ever had. Our local library has invited her to give another presentation about Germany. Last time, they had to put out more chairs. It’s very flattering to have so many people want to hear what you have to say. Pray for her witness during these events. Those who know her, know that she’d never not witness to any crowd in front of her. Yep. I got a good’n. Glory for 31 years of Cherman exzellenz.
A few years ago, I received a call from a pastor in Delaware about one of his boys, raised in his church, now living on the Big Island. I went to meet him in 2021, but (my guess) back then he wasn’t “low enough” yet. I stayed in touch with him over the years and now (as best I can see) he’s low enough. He’s begging to come be part of our church, promises that he’s been clean for over a year and he’s willing to do anything to get his life back on track. Please pray for us & Johnny.
I’ll end as I began. Thank you for helping us be here as we try to make a splash in the Pacific. Faithfulness is the clarion call of these last days - with or without great fruit. Don’t compromise, preacher. Don’t yield to that temptation to “spice things up” with fleshly gimmicks and carnival style antics or trimming truths that seem too hard for CNN or Fox News. Stay the course and trust the Lord until the rapture. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Bro. Castellaw |
