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Aimed at giving head deacons and their families further inspiration in being effective helpers of the Church Administration, the Ecclesiastical District of Hawaii-Pacific held a special gathering for them on November 11, 2024. Also present were the leadership aides assisting in the pulpit, or podium aides, and their respective families.
The said gathering was officiated at by Brother Gem H. Baitan, district supervising minister, from the house of worship of Ewa Beach Local Congregation. His homily was livestreamed to four remote sites, namely, the houses of worship of the Local Congregations of Keaau (Big Island cluster), Wailuku (Maui cluster), Kalaheo (Kauai cluster), and American Samoa.
“This special gathering was held for the head deacons, podium aides and their respective families as primary helpers when it comes to administering the brethren” at the local level, Brother Dontae Thompson, the district secretary, said.
“One of the duties that entail a lot of sacrifice is being a head deacon yet I will continue fulfilling it no matter what I or my family go through in this life,” Ron Espanto of Pearl City Congregation said.
In his homily, Brother Baitan emphasized that, being extensions of the Church Administration in caring for the brethren, head deacons must always fulfill their duties wholeheartedly. He also called upon their respective wives, as well as their children, to rally behind the head deacons in the performance of their duty because “it is a God-given privilege.”
“As a wife of a head deacon, I promise to support him. In doing so, our daughters, and even the brethren, would see the bond and faith we have as husband and wife,” said Michelle Gilo, wife of Jerson Gilo, a head deacon in Kunia.
“The lesson taught in the special gathering provided the families of head deacons and podium aides the reassurance that although our duty entails being busy for the Church we, as a family, are blessed by our Almighty God in heaven,” Jerson Gilo said.
Knowing the many sacrifices head deacons and their families make, laboring at the side of their resident ministers, Brother Baitan encouraged them to always seek God’s help in every Church endeavor they lead and, most especially, in their time of need.
“Indeed, head deacons and their families make sacrifices for the sake of their duties. In this gathering, they were reminded that no matter how difficult life gets because of trials and tribulations, when they place their trust on the shoulders of our Almighty God, there’s nothing impossible,” Brother Thompson said.
Like what we were taught, there will be hardships and trials, but I will continue to put my complete trust and hope in what God can do. I will do the best I can to fulfill this duty, this gift that our Lord God has given me,” Ron Espanto added. — With assistance from Erwin Sunga
