New Hope Christian Fellowship

Oahu, Hawaii

The 2009 Gift of Hope Charity Concert

Wednesday, Dec. 9th, was a magical evening in the Farrington High School auditorium in Honolulu, Hawaii – beautiful music performed skillfully for a special cause. The program stated:


Now in its fourth year, the Gift of Hope Charity Concert has become an annual event that makes a tangible difference in people’s lives. Last year’s concert raised over $13,500, in spite of the failing economy. 100% of that went to a very deserving charity known as Mercy Ships.

In 2010 Mercy Ships will be in Togo, Africa, to spread their message of hope and love. Because of your support for this charity concert, that message, that gift, will be received by a few more people. Lives will be changed, and hope will be restored. On their behalf, thank you.

The Gift of Hope Charity Concert was launched in 2005. The idea emerged from a conversation between Chad Brownstein, a video editor at New Hope Christian Fellowship, and Elden Seta, the music director at Moanalua High School. Laurie Komeiji and Arlene Iwano, administrative assistants at New Hope, joined the planning team, and the first concert was held.

Two groups from Moanalua High School’s outstanding Music Department performed in this year’s concert – the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Symphony Orchestra. Special guests artists included Ho`okena, a Hawaiian group of four men recently nominated for their second Grammy Award; New Hope’s Senior Pastor, Wayne Cordeiro; local entertainers Ben Vegas and Maila Gibson; and New Hope vocalist, Clint Torres.

The concert was sold out a week before the event. In fact, extra chairs had to be added. Laurie Komeiji, one of the Event Coordinators, reported, “My financial goal for this concert was to raise $10,000 for the work of Mercy Ships in Togo. I was pleasantly surprised that God had doubled it. Then I was totally blown away that He, through a generous matching fund [offered by Mercy Ships donors], doubled that again for a total of $40,000!”

Concert attendees included several legislators, including Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona. He addressed the audience, saying, “We’re all going through some very challenging times right now. But when you see what’s going on throughout the world, you know that it’s always worse somewhere else. And so we who are blessed have this opportunity to give back.”

The concert was a blessing in many ways. People who attended the performance fell in love with the students at Moanalua High School. It also made people more aware of the medical needs in Africa, givingthem a larger world-view and bringing that Third World continent much closer to home. And, of course, the proceeds will enable Mercy Ships to do more humanitarian work.

Chad Brownstein, an alumnus of Moanulua High School and one of the Event Coordinators, hopes that the greatest impact is felt by the students. He says, “To see these students do what they excel at, and know that they’re changing someone’s life so radically, as Mercy Ships does, is what makes all the effort worth it.”

Susie Lam, a concert attendee, beautifully summed up the experience, saying, “The concert was first-rate. The music was beautiful. The cause was inspiring. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Christmas than by giving to Mercy Ships.”

Photos courtesy of Derrek Miyahara