LIHU‘E — The 9th annual Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon will have a very special keynote speaker this year. The luncheon, which brings together people from government, business, schools, military and the social service sector along with the churches, will welcome Pastor
LIHU‘E — The 9th annual Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon will have a very special keynote speaker this year.
The luncheon, which brings together people from government, business, schools, military and the social service sector along with the churches, will welcome Pastor John Bevere — a popular author and the host of the “The Messenger” t.v. show — to speak this year.
“As always, I expect the 2013 event to be uplifting and inspirational,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. “Mahalo to Kaua‘i Island Ministries for their extraordinary effort to coordinate this annual gathering.”
Bevere will speak at a series of youth events before addressing the 9th annual Mayor’s Prayer Luncheon on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 9:30 a.m. at Kilohana Luau Pavilion.
Bevere and his wife Lisa started a traveling ministries center in 1990 and eventually settled in Colorado Springs with offices in the United Kingdom and Australia. The organization transformed into Messenger International in 2004.
The couple has published more than 20 books, including “The Bait of Satan,” “Drawing Near,” “Driven by Eternity” and others, as well as serving as the “The Messenger” hosts.
“John Bevere is a prolific author and highly-sought international speaker,” said Pastor Roy K. Sasaki of Kaua‘i Island Ministries. “His message is bold, passionate, and founded in the truths of the Scripture, as he challenges us to live out the life that we were meant to live — the life that God desires for each of us.”
“Go hear Pastor John,” Sasaki added. “It will revolutionize your life.”
Prior to the Mayor’s Luncheon, Bevere will speak at two youth-centered public events that are free and open to the public. The first event is a midweek service at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, at Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihu‘e. It is sponsored by New Hope Kaua‘i.
The second event is also at War Memorial Hall at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31, and is sponsored by Kaua‘i Island Ministries and other churches. The all-ages event is especially aimed at students and young adults.
Pastor Bevere will speak on the “Honor’s Reward.” The message is that the choice is ours on how to gain “full reward, partial reward or no reward” in life, but to “expect God’s favor and blessings now and always.”
The Honors Reward addresses the everyday trappings of unhealthy attitudes and behaviors that fragment or divide us, Sasaki said. Bevere teaches us about shaping our self-interests in ways that benefit not only ourselves but our families and the community.
“Because we are such a consumer-oriented society, we tend to approach the church in the same way,” he said. “What he presents help us break with that mentality in a way that is self-oriented.”
Sasaki said that Bevere’s work spans the generations. “The Bait of Satan” was written over 30 years ago, and this prolific work is still be rediscovered by bible study groups today.
“It is getting traction in a huge way,” Sasaki said.
The Mayor’s Luncheon on Feb. 2 will start with a pre-event worship at 9:10 a.m. The event is $25 per person.
Donna Jollay, a volunteer at the luncheon, helped with the mayor’s first prayer luncheon in 2005. She said that Pastor Sasaki came up with the idea and the late Mayor Bryan Baptiste was very receptive.
The event works because of a universal theme of community, education, new arrivals, and church unity, she said. The infusion of culture and food helps as well, she said, and
She’s especially excited about this year.
“Pastor Bevere is very well known nationally and internationally and this is so huge that we are having him,” Jollay added.
The vision is to have an event where everyone can pray for blessings to Kaua‘i’s people. It opens with a traditional Hawaiian ceremony and prayers in both Hawaiian and English.
Kaua‘i Island Ministries was formed as a way for area churches to work together. The events with speakers are to offer inspiration on how to be more effective in bringing the message to community and civic work.
For tickets call 246-0774, 652-1829 or 652-2237. Find out more about Pastor Bevere at www.MessengerInternational.org.
