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When Israel crossed the Jordan River into the promised land, God gave Joshua the following instructions: “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan from right where the priests stood and to carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.” (Josh. 4:2-3, NIV) The stones were to be a reminder of a mighty act of God in behalf of His people. On many other occasions men built altars or set up stones as a reminder of a significant encounter with God. They provided an opportunity for people to teach their children about the activity of God in behalf of His people. It also helped them see that all God had done in the past was connected with the present and even leading them toward the future.
God still acts today in behalf of His people. And it is a healthy practice for us today to set up “markers” to remember how God is faithfully guiding us. Henry Blackaby refers to these as “spiritual markers” – a faith story if you will of the times of transition, decision or direction when God has clearly guided His church.
Island Family has many of these spiritual markers – let’s review a few of them together:
1952 – Owen Still plants a new church –Palolo Valley Christian Church (PVCC)
1954 – Pearl Harbor Memorial Christian Church (PHMCC) is launched in a home on Likini St. (Salt Lake area) supported by East Point Christian Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
1966 – Owen Still plants another church – Kahaluu Church of Christ (KCC).
1960 – PHMCC moved to our present location.
1963 – Our current sanctuary was built.
1983 – PHMCC changes name to Aloha Christian Church (ACC).
1984 – a new church is started – East Oahu Christian Church (EOCC) and begins meeting in a Seventh Day Adventist building.
1990 – PVCC finds itself without a pastor so it merges with EOCC. KCC also merges into EOCC.
1993 – ACC finds itself with property but no pastor. EOCC finds itself with a pastor but no property. EOCC merges with ACC and begins meeting on the present Salt Lake site. The church name is changed to Island Family Christian Church (IFCC) to reflect the unique mix of church families.
2003 – 40 Days of Purpose spiritual growth campaign catalyzes significant growth at IFCC.
2002 to 2004 – IFCC blessed with over 200 baptisms and over 300 new members.
2005 – IFCC begins utilizing both Aliamanu school campuses next door on Sundays as well as the current campus. 40 Days of Community spiritual growth campaign (follow-up to 40 Days of Purpose) encouraged our congregation to work together on fulfilling God’s five purposes by deepening authentic community within our church and reaching out to the community around our church.
2006 – IFCC continues to grow spiritually and numerically. Authentic community continues to strengthen in the church through our small group system (‘Ohana groups) and our love for the community outside the church grows through outreach ministries like Celebrate Recovery. Additional staff are being hired to broaden the teaching base. A church health survey is conducted to help us in our Strategic Plan for the next 5 years.
What a story! Significant milestones (spiritual markers) that reflect God’s faithfulness and activity in this local church. As you see, each spiritual marker is not a new story – it is a new chapter in a continuing story. That story began in 1952 and continued through the years as people of faith trusted God – hiring staff, acquiring worship space, building, merging – anything God asked them to do. We are writing this chapter today because of those people of faith. Now it’s our turn! Let’s erect our next spiritual marker with faith and enthusiasm so that generations to come will be able to remember God’s activity in this local church.
Do you want to make a difference in the world? Do you want to be a part of a history making movement? We invite you to join us. Come and grow with us as we set this next spiritual marker together!
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