In John's Gospel, Jesus said, “;The person who trusts me will not only do what I'm doing but even greater things.”; This seldom-quoted prediction of Jesus holds a promise for all of us who are followers of the Christian path to significantly influence the world for good.

The Easter event is of huge historical and religious significance to the followers of Jesus Christ, but the real impact of that holy day is revealed in the way it transforms our lives here and now; and when our lives are changed, so is the world.

Unity Church of Hawaii will present a special Easter service at the Waikiki Shell that shows how Father Damien trusted in God and brought hope and transformation to the leprosy patients at Kalaupapa. Just as Jesus was resurrected, the priest has been lifted up by the Catholic Church and now holds a special place in the hearts of many as St. Damien.

The narrative of Jesus' life and the spiritual journey of Father Damien show us some significant parallels in their demonstration of commitment, compassion, humility and surrender. If we pattern our lives after these two great men, we too can do great things in the world for God.

I grew up in Hawaii and began my adult career as a teacher at Radford High School. There I founded a youth touring company, taking high school students to the neighbor islands. It was during one of those trips that I met Richard Marks and fell in love with Kalaupapa and the legend of Father Damien.

I have a strong yearning to emulate my spiritual heroes, and I knew that the only people who could actually live and work in Kalaupapa were nurses. So I became a nurse. Graduating from Hawaii Loa College with a nursing degree, and later the University of Hawaii with a master's degree in public health, I worked for the Department of Health and lived and nursed in Kalaupapa from 1988 to 1990.

I found that the impact of Father Damien on the amazing people of Kalaupapa was so impressive. It was still palpable, still real, and I was tremendously inspired.

And so it was that in 1993 I entered the seminary and became a Unity minister. I have been at Unity Church of Hawaii for more than five years now.

At the church's third annual Easter Sunday presentation at 8:30 a.m. at the Waikiki Shell, we will follow the theme “;What One Life Can Do—Jesus, St. Damien and You.”; I will be joined by Hawaii's world-class actor Terence Knapp, who played Father Damien in the 1976 PBS special “;Damien.”; He will read letters written by Father Damien and selections from the award-winning play by Aldyth Morris. Music will be by the Unity choir and 10-piece orchestra directed by Alethea Train, as well as local luminaries Guy Merola and Shawna Masuda, and dancer Tara Chanel performing “;O Makalapua,”; attributed to Queen Liliuokalani.

The Rev. Sky St. John is the senior minister at Unity Church of Hawaii.