VOLUME 39 No. 9/10 THE APOSTOLIC FAITH CHURCH-HONOLULU, HAWAII SEPT/OCT 2014FREE
Gospel message
By Associate Pastor Jose Jandoc
The disciplined life is the wisest and happiest life. Men succeed or fail depending
on discipline; nations rise or fall depending
on discipline; churches grow or decline
depending on discipline. This is not a discipline that is based on human efforts or
control, but a discipline that is based and
rooted in the Scriptures. A discipline that
is of the Lord.
I’m sure we all realize these are days of permissiveness.
People do what seems right in their own eyes; how and
when they choose; with little regard for the care of others.
This type of attitude is eating away at our social structure.
This kind of loose, uninstructed, unplanned carefree kind
of life has swept many people into embarrassment and suffering.
The Scriptures cover this subject very thoroughly. It has
to do with self control, discipline, and obedience. The child
of God is pictured as a person of truth, integrity, uprightness, self-control and discipline. The lazy person is pictured
as the enemy of the man of God.
Freedom demands restraints. Christians who shun discipline will be caught by their own lustful pursuits (James 1:14
-15). The truly free are disciplined. There are times when
we are doing our best to serve God and things do not go
right. Christians are not exempt from disaster and misery,
and many suffer for no apparent reason. Proverbs 3:11-12
tells us, “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither
be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth;
even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” This is the Lord’s
way of training His children.
The Word of God reveals three great principles that explain why Christians suffer: 1) to purify their characters
(Hebrews 12:10); 2) to make their service more fruitful
(John 15:2); 3) to permit them a share in the sufferings of
Christ (I Peter 4:13). So let us not despise these experiences, reject them, or treat them as worthless. Instead,
we must learn to take our tests and trials as an important
part of the expression of God’s love for us.
The chastening of the Lord is not meant to destroy us,
but if it is hated or rejected as if it came from an enemy
instead of from the Lord, then the result is death (Proverbs
15:10). Death for the sinner is actually a punishment
because it is an end of all opportunity for salvation according to John 3:5, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the
Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”; Acts 2:38,
“...Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost”; Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other:
for there is none other name under heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved.” As a child of God, we have that
promise of salvation.
A Pastor was once asked the question, “how do Christians grow?” His answer was: “conflict, conflict, conflict.” So it is that only when a believer is caught in the
rub, so to speak, does he really see what kind of person
he is and how much he needs Christ.
Many Christians resist conflict and think of it as undesirable. They misunderstand and assume that it is bad. In
reality, the Lord is at work. He is chastening and disci(Continued on page 6)
Editorial
By Head Pastor William M. Han, Jr.
There doesn’t seem to be any good news
anywhere these days. We read the papers,
listen to the news on television, radio, and
over the internet, and there’s nothing there
but a dismal picture of ever increasing energy prices, plunging economies, mass
layoffs, military conflicts, piracies on the
high seas, earthquakes, floods, tidal waves, snow storms, ice
storms, tornados, hurricanes, diseases, famines, and many
other weather related catastrophes over the face of the land.
If that’s not enough there’s the problems at home one has
to deal with this life has to afford, one’s marriage, children,
employment, friends, making ends meet, and just day to day
ups and downs.
hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Please
allow me to clarify this two part definition. First, concerning the substance (guarantee, title, deed) of things hoped for: Faith
allows us to treat the things hoped for as real, even though
we do not yet see them. The life that we live is a way or
road that we travel on or likened to running a race (I Corinthians 9:24). Our focus should be on Jesus as the goal and
the hope of eternal life. Eternal life, heaven, etc. are real.
Yet, these are merely words until we possess real faith that
makes us see how real they are. When we do possess real
faith, we then can build our lives on it, beginning by anchoring our souls on the “Rock” Christ Jesus. Secondly,
concerning the evidence (proof, persuasion, conviction) of things not
seen: Faith allows us to have confidence in His promises.
Faith can be described as the “eye of the soul,” which allows us to “see” the spiritual things God wants us to see.
The natural eye cannot now see God, heaven, the mansions
on high, the streets of gold, etc, yet, by exercising our faith
and putting our trust in God, we can see all that God has
promised. In the natural world, seeing is believing. In the
Spiritual world, believing is seeing.
We find ourselves in the age that takes great faith to live.
Things around us will not get better but only worsen as the
time of His coming draws closer. The Disciples asked Jesus, “…Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the
sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3)
“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not
troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers
places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver
you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all
nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and
shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false
prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall
abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure
unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom
shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and
then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:6-14). Think about it, if
this passage sounds too real, like you’re experiencing it, it’s
because it is real and if you want to live a life that you may
be able to cope with all the hardships the world affords,
you will need to have great faith in our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ for “...without faith it is impossible to please
him” (Hebrews 11:6).
For one whose walk is without faith in God, the future is
bleak and dreary. On the other hand, the forecast for the
true born again believer is bright and cheery. There’s a land
that is fairer than day, and by faith we can see it afar; for
the Father waits over the way, to prepare us a dwelling
place there, in the sweet by and by, on that beautiful shore.
Veteran’s Day
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Thanksgiving Eve Service
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
celebrated at all Branch Churches
7:00 p.m.
Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 27, 2014
The Word of God defines faith as “… the substance of things
2
Balogo
Molokai
Aiden Aea-Toledo
Molokai
9/7/14
Ashley Tanauan
Balogo
10/05/14
Kobe Kaalekahi
Molokai
9/21/14
Oahu
Hinano Kahawai
Oahu
9/7/14
Carol Sayson
Oahu
9/7/14
Koa Sayson
Oahu
9/21/14
Samantha Uta
Oahu
9/21/14
Sandra Alonzo
Oahu
9/21/14
Morris Altman
Oahu
9/21/14
Alfredo Alvarez
Oahu
9/28/14
Elijah Newton
Oahu
10/05/14
Hawaii Island
Dustin Keala Rios
Hawaii Island
8/24/14
Loretta Tagavilla Simeon
Hawaii Island
9/14/14
Seyed Alavi
Hawaii Island
10/01/14
3
Zahra Shahbazi Alavi
Hawaii Island
10/01/14
Maryam Alavi
Hawaii Island
10/01/14
Balogo Branch Church
By Sis. Deborah T. Aspera
L-R: Alyssa Marie Linsag (Youth Announcer),
Associate Pastor Ephraim Insular (Preacher), and
Keth Jessa Anne Pizarras (Pianist).
Praise the Lord for the victory of the Balogo
Mother Church’s 65th Youth Service held on
September 28, 2014. Our Youth Announcer, Sis.
Alyssa Marie G. Linsag, is the daughter of Bro.
and Sis. Ben (Concepcion) Linsag and is presently an Grade 8 student of the Presbitero National High School. She is also a junior student
of our Sunday School Department. Associate
Pastor Bro. Ephraim Insular was the Youth
Preacher for this special event. We never grow
old in the Lord! They both did a splendid job in
carrying out their parts of the youth program.
The musical portion composed of Orchestra,
Instrumental, Vocal, and Choir selections were a
blessing to us. Our youngsters have truly shown
their individual talents well, given them from the
Lord. Their love for God is displayed in their
willingness to perform.
Thank you to all of our parents, teachers,
prayer band warriors, and all who have supported this enjoyable day. It has been our pleasure and privilege to serve the Lord. God Bless
you all!
Balogo Branch Church Youth Participants
Balogo Branch Church Vocal Group
Balogo Branch Church Youth Orchestra
Balogo Branch Church Instrumentalists: L-R: Aleve Ruth Tumbali,
Alfredo Pizarras III, and Keth Jessa Pizarras.
Balogo Branch Church Youth Choir
4
President Roxas Branch Church
By Pastor Vesper Aspera
L-R: Sis. Maribel Aspera (Preacher), Bro.
Greame Aspera (Youth Announcer) and
Pastor Vesper Aspera.
The President Roxas Branch Church’s 31st Youth Service
began with The Lord’s Prayer. Brother Greame Aspera
was our Youth Announcer and Sister Maribel Aspera was
our Youth Preacher. The congregation sang the opening
song “In the Service of the King,” and the church Orchestra played “Working Out Your Own Salvation” and “The
Nail Scarred Hand.” Our Youth Choir sang “I’d Rather
Have Jesus” and “Wonderful Merciful Savior.” Sister
Marifer Aspera picked an instrumental selection entitled
“Sing To The Lord.” Our vocal selection consisted of
Alona Provido, Gavrielle Angela and Greame Aspera who
sang “Only Trust Him.”
Our Preacher, Sister Maribel Aspera presented a spirited
inspired sermon “Wavering Faith.” Sister Maribel expounded the truth that wavering faith is likened to a double
minded man who believes that he can partake of the things
of the world and yet satisfy God at the same time. As True
Born Again Believers we know that a double minded man
cannot and will not please God. If we choose Jesus, we
have to choose Him all the way!
Thank you to all the President Roxas saints for their support and prayers. Thank You, Jesus for a blessed 31st
Youth Service. Amen!
President Roxas Branch Church
Vocal Trio L-R: Gavrielle Angela, Greame Aspera and Alona Provido
President Roxas Branch Church Youth Participants
President Roxas Branch Church Youth Choir
President Roxas Branch Church Instrumentalists:
L-R: Mailie Joy Provido, Marifer and Marve Jane Aspera
President Roxas Branch Church Saints.
5
(Continued from page 1)
plining by using other people and unpleasant circumstances. If Jesus had not faced conflict we would still be in
our sins. If He had not been willing to face conflict, we
would have a distorted and unreal view of His perfections.
It was His willingness to face opposition and conflict that
Satan was defeated and the power of the Cross released.
Why does God permit His people to suffer? There are
many reasons, but I would like to suggest at least two reasons. The first is that suffering is a means which a child of
God matures (Romans 5:3-4). Tribulation means distress;
trouble; which brings about perseverance - the ability to
continue despite difficulties or hardship. In the old testament we have a classic example of Job whose faith in God
was unshaken by all the adversities that he experienced.
Job’s relationship with the Lord was deepened as a result of
his suffering. The second reason is that the person who
has suffered is better able to show compassion towards
others who suffer; just as the Lord Jesus Christ is able to
sympathize with us because He Himself suffered as a man,
so we are able to comfort those whose unfortunate experiences are similar to ours.
ALZHENA FEB H. TANQUECO,
was born on February 24, 2014 at Digos
Doctor’s Hospital. She weighed 3.9 lbs. and
was 20.5 inches in length. Her parents are
Mr. & Sis. Alejanro (Hazel) Tanqueco, Jr.
Maternal grandparents are Bro. & Sis. Edwardo (Emelda) Hendry. Paternal grandparents are Mr. & Mrs. Alejandro (Maria) Tanqueco, Sr. Adorable and precious little Alzhena was blessed
on Sunday, September 7, 2014 by our President Roxas Pastor Vesper Aspera at the President Roxas Branch Church in
Mindanao, Philippines.
FRANCHESKA C. CORDERO, was
born on September 10, 2014 at Medical Specialist, Kidapawan City, Philippines. She
weighed 6.2 lbs. and was 20 inches in length.
Her parents are Mr. & Sis. Glyn (Lilibeth)
Cordero. Maternal grandmother is Sis. Genara Clemen and paternal grandparents are
Mr. & Mrs. Alfredo (Erlinda) Cordero. Precious Francheska was blessed on Sunday, October 12, 2014
by our President Roxas Pastor Vesper Aspera at the President Roxas Branch Church in Mindanao, Philippines.
Five year old precious ASHKAN ALAVI, was born on
November 1, 2009 and was blessed by our Hawaii Island
Pastor Walter I. Tin Loy at the Hawaii Island Branch
Church on October 1, 2014.
6
SHAYLA-MAE LEOCADIA
LEILANI BANASIHAN, was born on
October 4, 2014 at Hilo Medical Center.
She weighed 7 lbs. 3 oz. and was 19
inches in length. Her parents are Bro.
and Sis. Shaun-Casey (Krystal) Banasihan.
Maternal grandparents are Darrell Kelley (Cynthia) Vaughn
and maternal great-grandparents are Sis. Leocadia E.
Hashimoto and Richard Kahawai. Paternal grandparents
are Jon Banasihan and Sharon Santiago. She was blessed
on Sunday, October 12, 2014 by Pastor Walter I. Tin Loy at
the Hawaii Island Branch Church.
Our congratulations are extended to
the newlyweds, Mr. KOLOMONA
KALANI PURDY and Sis. CASANDRA LEILANI TACKETT, who
were united in marriage on Monday,
September 1, 2014.
The Lord blessed them with a beautiful day, as Head Pastor Billy Han, Jr. had the honor of
officiating the marriage ceremony in the beautiful church
garden beside the Prayer Tower of The Apostolic Faith
Church.
May the Lord bless the newlyweds, as they begin their
journey as husband and wife.
Wedding bells rang out for Sis.
KRISTEN LEI OKAHASHI who
was united in marriage to Mr. JARED JUN LEONG CHONG, on
Saturday, September 13, 2014.
Associate Pastor Stanley Lacaden
had the honors of performing their
beautiful wedding ceremony at the
Waialae Country Club. The bride’s
parents are Bro. Wayne and Sis. Lisa Okahashi and Sis. Barbara Wong is the maternal grandmother of the bride. The
groom’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Chong.
Congratulations to the happy couple, may the Lord bless
you both with a lifetime filled with great joy, love and happiness.
In Memoriam
By Associate Pastor Edwin Sproat, Sr.
Third row-top left: Sis. Jo Ann Cuaresma and The Apostolic Faith Church Choir.
A large gathering of saints, family, and friends were present on Thursday, September 25, 2014, in loving memory
of Sis. JO ANN AGLIAM CUARESMA, age 43, at
Mililani Memorial Park, Mauka Chapel, for her funeral service conducted by Head Pastor Billy Han, Jr.
The service opened with The Lord’s Prayer, followed by
the blessed Choir anthems, “Wonderful Peace,” and “Safe
In The Arms of Jesus,” a heart-stirring Eulogy by her childhood friend Sis. Georgia Ann “Kaimi” Nagasawa, a vocal
solo, “The Lord’s Prayer,” by yours truly, and the powerful
reading of God’s Word focused on the salvation of the many
souls present, with the very comforting words of Jesus
Christ promised to every Child of God who dies in the
Lord. Sis. Jo Ann was then buried immediately following
the Chapel service there within the Mililani Memorial Park.
Sis. Jo Ann was born on November 5, 1970 to loving
parents, her late father Estanislao “Doring” and mother,
Mrs. Julia Agliam Cuaresma, one brother, Stanley
Cuaresma, a niece Carissa, and a nephew Levi, family and
friends far and near, and her beloved dogs Prince, Princess,
Marcos, Imelda, and Adobo who were like her children.
Sis. Jo Ann Cuaresma, and Sis. Georgia Ann “Kaimi”
Nagasawa shared a special friendship after meeting 36 years
ago in the third grade at Likelike Elementary. She graduated from McKinley High School, and later the University
of Hawaii, Manoa, earning a Masters Degree in Information
Science (MIS). She was employed by Xerox as a Network
Engineer for the past 19 and -a- half years. Sis. Kaimi eulogized her dear friend saying, “One of the happiest moments
that I have of Sis. Jo Ann was when she accepted our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ as her personal Savior, going
through water baptism in 1992, and being filled five years
later with God’s Holy Spirit. She was an active, hardworking and dedicated worker for the Lord. She was a soprano
in the Church Choir, and served as a choir librarian and
assisted in setting up choir members for church services.
She was an Assistant Sunday School monitor, some-
times secretary, and sometimes “go to” tech person. She
believed in the power of prayer and diligently prayed daily.
Precious daughter, dependable sister, loving niece and
cousin, generous aunty, amazing friend, and faithful Sisterin-Christ…We will all miss you dearly.”
She lovingly served the Lord Jesus Christ, and Saints of
The Apostolic Faith Church up until the Lord Jesus Christ
called her home on August 29, 2014. We know our Sis. Jo
Ann is safe in the arms of Jesus, having fought a good fight
to finish her course, and faithful work in the Lord’s Gospel
Work. Hence, we will see her smiling face once again very
shortly when the Lord Jesus Christ calls His victorious
Saints of God up saying, “Come up Hither, ye dearly beloved.”
Honolulu Sunday School Department Monitors
7
Honolulu Church Choir Librarians
UP-COMING EVENTS
for the following Branch Church Anniversaries
84th Kaimuki Anniversary:
Come and join us in worship, as we celebrate our 84th Anniversary Service at our Kaimuki Branch Church on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at 7:00 p.m., located at
1361 Palolo Ave. Honolulu, Hawaii
61st Maui Anniversary:
Come & join God’s wonderful people
in worship with songs and praises unto our
Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ
at the 61st Maui Anniversary Service
on Sunday, November 9, 2014.
Services begin at 10:00 a.m.
located at 1211 Front Street, Lahaina, Maui
Maui Pastor & Sis.
Kenneth & Dolly Alverio
8