Religion Briefs
Star-Bulletin staff &
Associated Press
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Church of the Crossroads to honor the Rev. Nakata
The Church of the Crossroads will award the Rev. Robert "Bob" Nakata its Peacemaker Award at a Monday program celebrating the life of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Nakata, pastor of Kahaluu United Methodist Church, is a former state senator and representative. He has been a leader in community, environmental and social justice activism for 30 years, said Mike Compton, chairman of the awards committee.
The 7 p.m. celebration of King's achievements in the 1960s civil rights struggle is open to the public. Parking is available adjacent to the church at 1212 University Ave.
Nakata was involved in last year's successful effort to get state funding to retain some of Kuhio Gardens as affordable housing. He is the incoming president of Faith Action for Community Equity, FACE, which led the Kukui Gardens effort.
Previously he was involved with Waiahole-Waikane residents in a 1980s land struggle that had a lasting effect on Windward development and state water policies. He was a member of Kokua Kalihi Valley, former executive director of the Kualoa-Heeia Ecumenical Youth Project, and was a State Water Commission member from 1987 to 1995.
Training focuses on diety in the marketplace
Speakers at the "Catch the Wave" conference next week will present testimony and practical training on bringing God into the marketplace, educational institutions and the government.
The conference Monday and Tuesday at the Hawaii Convention Center will be sponsored by the Hawaii chapter of International Transformation Network, a movement to instill Christian values and prayer in the secular world.
The keynote speakers will be Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona and Ed Silvoso, president of Harvest Evangelism. Also speaking will be Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, City Councilman Gary Okino, Mitch D'Olier, chief executive of Kaneohe Ranch Co., and Francis Oda, chief executive of Group 70 International architects firm and chairman of International Transformation Network.
The admission fee is $75, $30 for students. Register at www.transformationhawaii.org. Call Jocelyn McMahon, 375-5395, for information.
Local churches joining vespers service Thursday
Several local churches will participate in a vespers service Thursday to join the international observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Lutheran Bishop Murray Finck, head of the Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, will speak at the 7 p.m. event at Our Lady of Peace Cathedral on Fort Street Mall.
Other participants will be the Very Rev. Robert Fitzpatrick, bishop of the Episcopal diocese, the Rev. Charles Buck, Hawaii conference officer of the United Church of Christ, and Catholic Bishop Larry Silva.
The service is open to the public. The worldwide Prayer for Christian Unity during the last week of January has been observed in the United States and other nations for nearly 100 years.s
Iraqi Christian to speak; was adviser to Saddam
An Iraqi Christian who was a military adviser to former dictator Saddam Hussein will speak at a Honolulu church tomorrow.
Retired Iraq Air Force Gen. Georges Sada will speak at the 6 p.m. service at Word of Life Christian Center, 544 Queen St.
Sada has lectured at other Oahu churches this week about current political affairs in his country and the experiences of the small minority of Christians in the predominantly Muslim nation. Born into the Chaldean Catholic Church, he became an evangelical "born again" Christian 20 years ago.
He now works with the Oklahoma-based World Compassion ministries, taking speaking engagements around the country. His 2006 book, "Saddam's Secrets," will be on sale at the service tomorrow.