Church grows into community

Making the teachings of Jesus relevant to the daily challenges of raising young families has fueled the tremendous growth of New Hope Leeward, says senior Pastor Mike Lwin.

The evangelical church has long outgrown its space at the Wai­pahu Town Center and is searching for other accommodations for the 4,000 people who attend one of its six weekend services, Lwin said.

"We now have 40,000 square feet. We clearly need two times the space. We need a minimum of 2,500 seats in the auditorium," he said, adding that its present facility can hold a maximum of 1,000 people per service.

New Hope Leeward, a Foursquare denomination, is also looking beyond Sunday morning worship services. It wants to build a community center that can house the church and its school, anchored by an outdoor amphitheater and an indoor auditorium, which could be rented out for public events. With the church’s lease set to expire in two years at the Town Center, a task force is investigating possible buildings to renovate, or properties to purchase and build on, that would be "nothing smaller than seven to 10 acres," Lwin said.

"I feel we’re called to be a community center — we’re not just inward-focused. We want it to be a place where young families can come and have a great time.

"My family is very young like others on the Leeward side, where affordable housing is available. Our members are all young families struggling to survive in this economy, trying to balance two jobs and raise their kids. Our teaching is geared towards them. … We focus on simple, contemporary messages that create a feeling that makes young families excited to come to church," said Lwin, 40.

Executive Pastor Rojo Herrera said "one-third (of the congregation) are 12 years old or less — a stunning number. People in need want help. They want to see their children being taught well and cared for in a safe environment."

In the church’s early years, Herrera said he told Lwin, "I want a place where my kids — from the age of diapers to college degrees — will never be left behind, a place of safety and growth, where we can really explore what is our mission. A light went off, and we turned the corner as a church."

In addition to a school (for ages 2 through 4 for the time being), the church provides after-school care, activities for children of all ages and adult education classes in the evening. The curriculum includes Bible study and classes in popular dance, art, financial planning, marriage and parenting skills, "so it’s kind of a community center." Herrera said.

Lwin said New Hope Leeward opened in 2003 at Leeward Community College’s theater with only 15 members, but by the end of the year, it had attracted 1,200 regulars. In 2004 it converted a former Safeway building into Leeward Ministry Center at the Wai­pahu Town Center and moved its main church there. Two satellite campuses were opened in 2005 and 2007 at Pearl Highlands Center theaters and Campbell High School, which later were merged into the main church in 2010. Today there are two Saturday and four Sunday services.

About two years ago the church also began setting up a tent every Sunday at Keeau Beach Park in Wai­anae, which became its West Shore campus for nearly 200 homeless people. After services the church provides a free lunch and gives away shoes, clothing and other supplies, and helps people with job hunting and résumé writing to help get them off the streets, Lwin said.

For the second year in a row, New Hope Leeward has made a national list of the top 100 fastest-growing churches in America, according to September 2010 and 2011 special editions of Outreach, an evangelical Christian magazine in Vista, Calif. LifeWay Research compiles the annual list based on data from churches that choose to participate.

One reason for the church’s growth may be its television exposure, with commercials showing a few times a day on KHON, and its own cable channel, Oceanic 916, Lwin said.

One of the testimonies shown is by Jonnaven Monalim, who overcame a rough childhood, a short stint in prison in 1998 and other trouble with the law. At the urging of his wife, Misty, Monalim reluctantly went to his first service six years ago.

"Once you go you’re addicted," Monalim said in an interview with the Star-Advertiser. "The pastors are so loving and caring and helpful. They’re younger and family-oriented; they can relate to us. It’s so exciting — they’re not just preaching. I get so much knowledge in that hour, and they have different ways of getting their message across. They do plays or skits and we sing."

Monalim said he got his four brothers and sisters, their children and many of his friends’ families to attend. His three kids go to Sunday school, and "it’s amazing to hear them tell what they’ve learned to their cousins and friends," he said.