Hawaii Megachurch in Oahu Hoping to Move, Expand New Property
A megachurch based in Hawaii on the island of Oahu will be moving to a 200-plus acre piece of farmland in order to expand its facilities for worship and education.
New Hope Leeward Church, a nondenominational church founded in 2003 that has about 4,000 regular attendees, signed for the purchase last year and is presently awaiting approval on zoning changes for the spot in the town of Waipahu located in West Oahu.
In an interview with local media, New Hope Leeward Senior Pastor Michael Lwin explained what will be present at the new site, located by Kunia Road.
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"There's going to be a church sanctuary with many seats, a Christian school across the plaza, behind the sanctuary will be a large outdoor amphitheater," said Lwin to KHON 2 News. "We're going to have a bible college there as well, so basically your kids can go here from age zero all the way to their doctor's degree."
According to its website, New Hope Leeward considers itself to be a "Foursquare Church", which means it considers its mission to include four objectives.
"Our mission is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ in such a way that turns non-Christians into converts, converts into disciples, and disciples into mature, fruitful leaders who will in turn go into the world and reach others for Christ," reads the "About us" section of their site.
The church stemmed from New Hope Oahu, where Lwin served as a member of Pastor Wayne Cordeiro's senior management team.
The whole operation is known as part of the "Promised Land" giving campaign, which Lwin described in a message available on the church's website both in England and Japanese.
"I urge you to give as sacrificially and as generously as you can during this season while we continue to press onward toward the Promised Land that God has placed before us. On the first weekend of every month I will provide an update to our church so we can stay united on this vision," said Lwin. "I will also be calling special meetings of our Promised Land supporters along the journey so please be prepared to come and provide your ideas and feedback."
In addition to the church and schools, New Hope Leeward also plans to use some of the 200 acres of farmland for its original purpose, including a farming co-op program and farmers market.
"We're fundraising for the $10 million, our church has pledged giving $3.5 million so far which is super generous for a Waipahu church, especially in this economy," said Lwin to KHON. "The good news is that those employees will be transferred to their other locations, which should be a good thing, so we will be doing everything we can to support that."
