[1]HONOLULU (BP)–A new name — Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention — was adopted unanimously during the 55th annual meeting of the now-former Hawaii Baptist Convention, Nov. 6-7 at Olivet Baptist Church, Honolulu.
The convention drew the largest number of messengers since 1985, with 301 registered.
The name change, according to Executive Director O.W. Efurd, more accurately describes the territory served by the convention, which includes American and Western Samoa and Guam. The recommendation originated with a strategic planning group convened in April to recommend goals and priorities for the convention through the year 2000.
Among the 20,000-member convention’s 114 congregations are six in American Samoa, one in Western Samoa and five in Guam.
George Moyer, a layman from Hawaii Kai Baptist Church, Honolulu, was re-elected president by acclamation, as were the new first and second vice presidents, respectively, pastors Steve Murphy of Honolulu’s Olivet Baptist Church and Mel Campos of Eleele Baptist Church, Kauai.
Messengers adopted a $2,232,180 budget for 1998, 1 percent above the current budget. Of $917,748 in anticipated Cooperative Program giving by the convention’s congregations, 31.5 percent will be forwarded to Southern Baptist Convention national and international missions and ministries, the same as the current year.
Resolutions were adopted opposing gambling and opposing persecution of Christians around the world.
Next year’s annual meeting will be Nov. 5-6 at Waialae Baptist Church, Honolulu.