By Greg Yee, Superintendent
The awe-inspiring Nā Pali Coast of Kauai called out to me as my plane descended into Lihue Airport, stirring a deep sense of familiarity within my soul. It had been a long travel day, yet it was only a blink in time compared to what must have been at least a three-week journey by schooner for my great-great-grandfather back in 1877. He arrived on Kauai as a young, single merchant during the Qing Dynasty and at the height of the island’s sugar industry boom.
I felt drawn to return to the land that had been my family’s port of entry. This intentional pilgrimage marked the culmination of a grant I received from Duke Divinity to engage in “balcony time,” a period of focused reflection for Christian organizational leaders.
In1877, Kauai was still part of the Kingdom of Hawaii, the same year Queen Liliʻuokalani assumed her role after the passing of her brother. The intertwining of Hawaii’s history with my family’s story prompted me to reflect on the Seventh-Generation Principle, attributed to the teachings of the Iroquois People: What decisions are we making today that will positively affect seven generations from now?
I wandered through old Chinese cemeteries and strolled through Kapaa, the town where my great-great-grandfather had established his business. In the archives, I uncovered an old 1900 census ledger that recorded his name, along with those of his wife and son. Standing on the beach at sunset, I found myself wondering if he, too, had stood in this very spot. What were his dreams? His fears?
There in Kapaa, as the golden hue of the setting sun painted the horizon, I imagined his hopes carried on the same waves that now lapped gently at my feet, five generations later. Then it struck me. My grandchildren will be the seventh generation. What are my dreams? My fears?
Just before Thanksgiving, our executive board voted to nominate me for my fourth, four-term serving our region of 69 churches and all of our ministers. I continue to be humbled by this call and am deeply appreciative for the privilege it’s been to serve you. With this as an important part of our agenda for our conference annual meeting May 2-3 at Bellingham Covenant, I want to introduce our theme for this year – Generations.
We come into this focus from multiple angles. We continue to experience a notable shift of generations, as evidenced by the vast majority of our churches being Baby Boomer dominant. What needs to shift and change as we think of our work with Millennials, Gen Z, Gen Alpha and even Beta? We all desire for our ministries to be multi-generational. How do we continue to keep our collective commitments high in our ministries to children and youth? Most importantly, how do we continue to focus and grow in our main work of disciple-making?
I am desperate for my kids and their kids and for seven generations from now to love and serve Jesus with their heart, soul, mind, and strength. My dream is that the decisions we make today would send forth sold-out followers of Christ, who we just celebrated at Christmas as our Emmanuel and Savior. I dream about the ripples of our commitments today and how they may go forward to produce powerful waves of gospel work.
Happy New Year, conference family! I look forward to this new year in anticipation of the light of Christ to shine ever more brightly.
…to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:21 (NIV)
