Aloha from Hawaii! It has been great to kick off our Sabbatical by visiting this beautiful place for the first time.    

Being with Melissa and our girls, taking in the breathtaking nature of these islands…we’ve made some lasting memories here already. 

One of the most inspiring things for me was visiting Pearl Harbor, where almost 2500 Americans died on December 7, 1941. It was incredibly moving to visit the USS Arizona Memorial, where most of the 1177 sailors who died on board are still entombed.  Every few moments, as I looked down in the waters beneath the memorial, a drop of oil floated to the surface from the sunken ship below.  It’s like a message is being sent…never forget those who died here. Let’s always remember them, and all those who serve in our nation’s military.  

Another highlight has been the opportunity to spend time with and learn from a couple of my fellow pastors.  Brian Frable serves as Pastor of Kona Baptist Church.  A sweet couple from his church owns the condo we are staying in.  God gave them a heart to use it for the purpose of blessing pastors and their families.  It’s been fantastic to get to know Brian and have an iron-sharpens-iron conversation about life and ministry. 

Another highlight was spending a day with Chris Martin, one of my fellow IMB Trustees, who serves as the Executive Director of the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention.  Chris is one of the sharpest leaders I know, and we had a stimulating time together, talking about Christ-centered leadership, missions, and ministry.  Again, iron sharpens iron (Prov. 27:17). 

Thus far the Sabbatical has been a mixture of relaxing, inspiration, learning, and drawing close to the Lord and to family…we are grateful for this gift at our ten-year anniversary at FBC, and look forward to returning on August 1, refreshed and ready for the next ten!  

Until then, our church is in good hands.  So thankful for Wilson’s timely message on Sunday and for our graduates!  This Sunday, you’ll be blessed to hear from Dr. Wayne Poplin, one of our former pastors, and my pastor as a teenager.  When I first felt the Holy Spirit stirring me to preach, it was Wayne that I went to for counsel…and he has continued to be a trusted mentor and counselor to me ever since. I will be forever grateful to him for giving me a stellar model of expository preaching as my pastor, and for his wise counsel to me since I became one.  

We love you and are praying for you daily!      

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,  

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.