Recapping Our Time Away In Hilo, Hawaii

“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” (Mark 6:30-32)

Given all that has happened as a result of the split of the Restored Church Worldwide (RCW) from the International Christian Church (ICC), beginning on October 18th, 2024, Kelly and I were extremely grateful to get away for some much needed rest and relaxation. Since my family currently resides in Hawaii, my parents generously offered to fly us “home” to spend some time with them. Although the trip had been planned in September, before we made the decision to depart from the ICC, it was absolutely the sovereignty and hand of God that it had been scheduled, since the timing of it was so perfect!

My family and I departed from Toronto on Monday, November 11th, and traveled for about 18 hours, finally arriving in Hilo, Hawaii, at 10:30 PM our time. As you can imagine, we were greeted by the warm and moist island air, with a temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius. It was great to reconnect with family, and to slow down… I mean, really slow down. For the first several days in Hawaii, it rained all day, and we were not able to get out and do anything “fun”. But once again, I see this as the hand of God. We needed the slow pace, and the rest. I was reminded of David’s famous psalm, where he says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.” (Psalm 23:1-3) Undoubtedly, the Lord made me lie down.

*The Central Singles strike again with the baptism of Samuel!*

While we were there, we were not only able to reconnect with our physical family but also some of our church family as well. I was baptized in the Hilo church on September 2nd, 2001, and Kelly moved to be a part of the Hilo church shortly after her baptism in 2002. So we both feel like we were raised up in the Hilo church. This was back when the Hilo church was in the International Churches of Christ (ICOC). In 2006, the Hilo church split. Twenty-six members left the church to start their own fellowship, and the remaining twelve of us steered the church into the ICC. Kelly and I then led the Hilo ICC church from 2007 to 2010, when many who are still a part of the church today were baptized. So given the recent events, concerning our departure from the ICC, we knew we would be having a number of good conversations with disciples. (Which we did!)

Sadly, the Hilo church has been through a lot during its time in the ICC over the last eighteen years. Not only has it experienced dismal growth, going from 12 in 2006 to now 25 in 2024, it has also just endured another church split. Just before we released our departure letter on October 18th, there was a small offshoot group of disciples that left the Hilo church, led by Curtis and Morgan Valdez. They too were sick and tired of the abuses they experienced under incompetent leadership, and decided to start their own group. This off-shoot group, still unnamed, is not connected with the RCW or the ICC, and is still trying to figure out exactly what they believe in terms of building their new fellowship. That said, both the offshoot group and the ICC are made up of disciples. So this made our trip even more interesting.

Brothers from multiple ministries and regions celebrate at John’s baptism!

On Friday, November 15th, the ICC issued a “Disfellowship Announcement” letter written by Raul Moreno, disfellowshipping myself along with the other RCW leaders (Jason Dimitry, Fernando Chavez, Kyle Bartholomew, Mike Patterson) and our wives because we initiated a new RCW church in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas. Jose and Monica Carranza, along with a handful of others, reached out to us for help. They no longer wanted to be under the leadership of the ICC, and specifically the Kernan’s, and decided to faithfully and courageously take a stand for God. Jason and Sarah Dimitry then flew to Dallas to assist them in the creation of this new congregation. For our role in helping, Raul Moreno and the ICC central leadership labeled us as liars, slanderers, and a faction that is persuading disciples to “leave the kingdom.”

Wisdom makes the wisest decision of his life – to become a disciple!

One might ask, “How can you disfellowship those who are already outside of your fellowship?” You can’t. Should we disfellowship the pope? Joel Osteen? Other denominational false teachers? No, that would be ridiculous. Once more, this demonstrates the arrogance of the ICC central leadership group, who believes they have the authority to dictate who is and isn’t a part of God’s kingdom. Excitingly, not only did a new RCW church start in Texas, but the Monterrey, Mexico ICC church decided to join the RCW. This small congregation, which has been neglected for years in the ICC, is being valiantly led by Flavio and Danna Berlanga. Also, as of this weekend, the Oklahoma City ICC church will be joining the RCW. The OKC church is led by Dillon and Claudia Gallez. With the addition of these three groups, the RCW has now grown to 16 congregations worldwide!

Sherika is baptized by the incredible Peel Campus Women!

Another positive note is that the false disfellowshipping of the RCW leadership made it a lot easier to figure out where we were going to worship God on Sunday! Since we were no longer “allowed” to have fellowship with those in the ICC, we decided to worship with the off-shoot group. Additionally, Curtis Valdez graciously asked me to preach, which I was happy to do! I preached about fighting the good fight; reminding the disciples that there are all kinds of fights we can find ourselves in, but only one “good fight.” (II Timothy 4:7) We had a great time fellowshipping with those in the offshoot group, as well as those from the ICC who were still willing to meet with us throughout the following week despite the disfellowshipping.

Magalie is raised up by the TMU sisters after her baptism!

Throughout our time in Hawaii, Kelly and I were super encouraged to see what God was continuing to do in Toronto! Last week, the Toronto church saw its 12th baptism in November after Samuel, Sav’hanna, and Wisdom were baptized – making Novem- ber our most fruitful month ever! This week, God continues to move, adding to the November miracles with the baptism of Magalie! We are so proud of the Toronto church, as well as grateful to Kirk and Margie Hamula, who led the church in our stead! All in all, we had a great trip, but we are so fired up to be back with our spiritual family in Toronto! Truly, you are our “joy” and our “crown”. (I Thessalonians 2:19, Philippians 4:1) We love you all very much! To God be the glory!