Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up.” Victor Hugo wrote, “Perseverance, secret of all triumphs.” It is momentous to plant a church. It is monumental for that church to be growing and thriving 100 years later. Such a testimony speaks of people – faithful ones who pray and give and serve and who at the core, fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ to make disciples. Our guests today join me in a two part feature – in celebration of Kalihi Union Church’s centennial celebration.
Pastor Jonathan Steeper’s passion is a love for God’s people. He wants everyone in the local church from little children to seniors to grow in knowing Jesus Christ. He believes in the transforming power of prayer and values Christian community as a Biblical expression of the living power of the Holy Spirit. Jonathan and his wife Tricia have three children and one granddaughter. Their family has lived in a variety of cultures and have ministered in repeated multi-dimensional contexts in Canada, Europe, Central America and Africa. He has previously served as pastor to two different churches in eastern Canada and as a missionary with his family in Albania during a turbulent period. Although born in Honolulu, he was raised in Canada, graduating with awards from West Hill Collegiate Institute in Toronto and the Baptist Leadership Training School in Calgary. He earned his BA in history from the University of Western Ontario in London, and his Masters of Divinity with awards from Acadia Divinity College in Nova Scotia. Now, God has intervened to call his family back to the church of his heritage at Kalihi Union. He has completed doctoral studies in cross-cultural research in the area of prayer and evangelism. Jonathan is more hands-on than academic and enjoys the outdoors, music, sports, gardening and a variety of hobbies. Jonathan is currently the senior pastor at KUC.
Vernon Von received Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior at a Youth-for-Christ rally in Honolulu when in the 9th grade. He was nurtured in his walk by attending the Honolulu Bible Training School that was led by Papa San Waterhouse for four years. After that, Nelson Kwon, Ada Lum, and Pastors Bob Loveless and William Steeper helped to mentor him during his college and young adult years. After 20 years in the Air Force, he came back to Hawaii and joined Kalihi Union Church. He and his family joined the church on the same Sunday as Pastor Richard Weisenbach; they have been with KUC ever since then and are grateful for the nurturing and teaching that their girls received as they grew to adulthood. He and his wife Marion have been involved in ministries such as the Moving Company, Pro Shop, Alpha, and Leadership Development. Vernon also served as an elder with Pastor Boaz, Pastor William Steeper, Pastor Marv Norlein, and Pastor Jonathan Steeper. He is currently the Chair of KUC’s Centennial Celebration in August.
James 5:11 “Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”