[ RELIGION ]
Pat and Cheryl Okimoto work in their home office to publish an annual "Island Christian Guide" that lists all the Christian churches in the state.
A devout couple brings isle
Christians together through
an annual directory
Profit is not the motive of Paul and Cheryl Okimoto in publishing a local Christian directory.
They are willing to refuse income as a matter of faith.
"No non-Christians need apply" is the policy at "Island Christian Guide," distributed free at island churches, supermarket racks and Christian bookstores.
A "statement of faith" is part of the contract for advertisers. They must sign a statement affirming: "I have received Jesus Christ as my personal savior. I desire to live by Biblical standards, and to treat clients with honesty, integrity and respect."
Paul Okimoto said: "The tag line is that we want to be a resource, connecting businesses to churches. The advertisers are part of the network, along with consumers and churches. We need to know they are principled.
"We emphasize that it benefits all to make a Christian businessman more prosperous. Then they will tithe more and their church will prosper," he said.
He quoted a pastor who pointed out that this is not a directory of discount coupons. "He said the point is to pay the full price to a business. Then it can afford to help people who really need it."
This month is the deadline crunch for the Okimotos, doing the editing and layout work on computers in their Liliha home in preparation for a July press run at Hagadone Printing Co.
More than 800 churches and Christian schools in Hawaii -- names, addresses and pastors -- will be listed in the 2004 edition, which will have more than 120 advertisements.
E-mail addresses are being added to the printed directory this year by Cheryl Okimoto, who updates the directory's online version weekly when she learns of new e-mail information and links to church Web sites.
Congregations with new information, such as a cyberspace connection or a change in pastor, may call her at 847-3866 in the next two weeks.
Paul Okimoto said he will continue to take prospective advertisers and new church listings for the next week, but after that the deadline is past.
A church also needs to pass a belief test to be listed in "Island Christian Guide." The statement churches must sign reads like a creed:
» "We believe the Bible is the one true Word of God."And there is more about the Holy Spirit and Satan.» "We believe in the Triune God -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit."
» "We believe that Jesus Christ was both true God and true man, and that he was born of a virgin; was completely without sin; performed many miracles; died on the cross; was resurrected, ascended into heaven; will return to establish his kingdom on earth."
» "We believe Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father."
Some denominations that might be expected to appear in a Christian directory are absent because they will not sign on all the points of belief. They include the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Jehovah's Witnesses.
The plan is to increase the press run by 10 percent, up to 50,000 copies, despite that the guide is its own best competition.
The paperback-size directory -- printed on colored, coated, magazine stock -- is a proven keeper. Past editions are a resource found on desks and bookcases at many island churches.
And the Web page -- islandchristianguide.com -- is almost easier to use, with the capability to sort out churches by area and ZIP code and advertisers by their categories of business.
The Web page is expanding thanks to Cheryl Okimoto, who joined the business and the family last August. The widow and former Army soldier from Missouri married Paul Okimoto, a Hilo-born accountant, in August.
Cheryl put out a query last fall about alternatives to Halloween -- which some churches consider counter to Christian belief -- and compiled a roundup of events at 19 churches. She followed through with special listings of Christmas and Easter celebrations.
"We got about 8,000 hits per month," said Paul. "We got 20,000 at Halloween. Now that we do a newsletter, it was 21,000 in January and 23,000 in February."
Cheryl regularly updates a calendar of events and offers to create a page on the site for any church or business in the directory.
A volunteer with Good News Jail and Prison Ministry, she wrote a brief story about the group's recent classroom painting project.
"Jesus said whatever you do to the least of my people, you do to me," said Cheryl. "Anything that fills what God taught us has a place on the Web site."
Paul posts a weekly newsletter there. His recent chat describes an Easter service and a workshop on tithing he attended, previews a future crusade and retreat, and promotes support for local Christian music group 7 Simple Pieces.
A 1972 University of Hawaii graduate and an accountant for 32 years, Okimoto had no publishing or advertising sales experience when he bought the guide in 2001.
"The guide is work ... but it's not," said Paul, who continues with his accounting career. "I get to meet people and experience new things, like the sunrise service."
The directory was started in 1997 by Jan Wiggins, who sold it to New Hope Christian Fellowship in 2000. Okimoto was accountant for New Hope when the church decided to sell.
"God said, 'Run with it and have fun with it,'" said Paul.
He wouldn't disclose figures, but said: "We pay our bills. We're breaking even.
"Even if the money isn't the greatest," he continued, "I'm committed to the book unless I hear God say otherwise."
Okimoto has attended New Hope since it was launched in 1995 by the Rev. Wayne Cordeiro. Then recently divorced, "I was at the bottom of my life; nothing's working, so try God. I transferred my addiction from bars to church. If there was a free meal, that's where I would go," and he found church events often include food.
Cheryl Okimoto moved to Hawaii from Missouri in 2002 and was seeking a Christian newspaper when she called the directory owner. She found a sympathetic listener in her grief over the recent death of her first husband. Paul and Cheryl were married seven months later. Each of the Okimotos has three children.
Cheryl, who moved away from her parents' Lutheran church affiliation, said: "I don't believe one denomination is better than another. It is OK for your child to find his own church. Different people have different needs. They need to find a place for their own maximum spiritual growth.
"Each person is responsible to find a place where they fit best."
Click for online
calendars and events.
