Amazing new ministries would sprout as the church grew, including Fresh Start, providing ministry to minimum security inmates scheduled for release. They developed relationships with the prisoners, introduced them to Christ, and helped them into a new life upon their release.

At the three-year mark, New Hope was heralded nationally as one of the fastest-growing churches in the United States. Services were moved to Farrington High School, the largest high school auditorium on the island. Attendance had grown to 5,000 people with over 3,600 committed believers. They also planted churches in Japan and Hawaii. Each year, God would bring more and more, mostly through personal evangelism. In years four and five, the attendance continued to swell to 7,000, with new services added to accommodate the growing congregation. The Easter celebrations over the past few years have held as many as 22,000 worshipers.

With an eye toward reaching the Pacific Rim for Jesus, Pastor Wayne and others formed two strategic training and educational forums to develop and equip leaders. New Hope Christian College offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Leadership and School of Worship and the Arts. The school currently has locations in Eugene and Honolulu and a combined student body of over 400, preparing them for the calling to full time ministry around the world.

Pastor Wayne also spearheaded New Hope International, the church planting and church growth arm of New Hope. Emerging leaders are groomed, trained and mentored to plant churches as close as Peal City and as far away as China. New Hope International supports 108 church plants and planted 5 additional churches in 2012.

And what are the key lessons learned in planting churches?

“These are God’s people. They are special and deserve to be led well. God has called people together for a reason. He doesn’t just throw us together in a church at random. All of us are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Together we make a beautiful, clear picture of who Jesus is in our community. One of the most valuable things I’ve learned in church planting is that by finding people’s gifts and passion, we develop them instead of use them. When they find their gifts, it’s the Lord motivating them, not us keeping plates spinning.”

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