ABOUT US

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Stephen Ventura grew up on the island of Kauai. As a fourth generation "Kauaian", he understands the island culture and lifestyle. He attended Kalaheo Elementary School then graduated from Waimea High School class of 1981. He became a Christian in 1995 and left the islands in 2001 to pursue an education in ministry and graduated from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary earning a Diploma in Theology. Stephen held the Youth Pastor position at Valley Baptist Church, San Rafael, CA. from 2001-2010, then was called back to Hawaii as the Associate Pastor for Waikiki Baptist Church in 2010. He was officially ordained for ministry in 2012 and in February 2015 moved on to become a Church Planter for the North American Mission Board. With twenty years of ministry experience, Pastor Stephen (and his family) feel led by God to share the joy, freedom and abundant life Jesus has to offer on Kauai. The plan is to start Bible study groups that meet in homes and see the radical transformation God will do in the lives of people.

Stephen has been married fourteen years to Diana, who is from California; they have an eleven year old daughter. As a family, the Ventura's love the outdoors, such as hiking, going to the beach and exploring.

KHCN Beliefs

THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE

1. ABOUT GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The three are co-equal and are one God. (Gen. 1:1,26-27,3:22; Ps. 90:2; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2)

2. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father and the exact representation of His being. All things were created by Him and for Him and He holds all things together. Laying aside His heavenly splendor, He took on flesh by being born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Spirit. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. (Isa 9:6; Matt. 1:22-23; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Rom 1:3-4; I Cor. 15:3-4; Col 1:15-20;  I Tim. 6:14-15; Tit. 2:13; Heb 1: 2-3, 4:14-15)

3. ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved. As Christians we seek to live under His control daily.  (John 14:16-17, 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; I Cor. 2:12, 3:16; 2 Cor 3:17; Gal. 5:25; Eph. 1:13)

4. ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God's Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. ( Ps 12:6, 119;105, 160; Prov 30:5; 2 Tim. 1:13, 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21)

5. ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God's creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, we are all marred by a sinful nature which separates us from God causing problems in life and the world we live in. (Gen. 1:27; Ps. 8:3-6; Isa. 53:6a, 59:1-2; Rom. 3:23)

6. ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is God's free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness, can anyone be saved from sin's penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith. (John 1:12, 14:6; Rom. 5:1, 6:23; Gal 3:26; Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:5)
 
7. ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot "lose" it. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security. (John 10:29; 2 Tim. 1:12; Heb. 7:25; 10:10,14; I Pet. 1:3-5)

8. ABOUT ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence. Heaven is a place where the Bible says, there will be no more death, crying or pain. While hell is mentioned quite often by Jesus as a place of torment. of "weeping and gnashing of teeth."(Matt 8:12, 13:42, 22:13, 25:30; Luke 13:28; John 3:16; Rom. 6:23; Rev. 20:11-15, 21:1-6)

 

THE ESSENTIALS WE PRACTICE
Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following eight practices:

1. Bible as our sole authority.
  • The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives;  it straightens us out and helps us to do what is right. (2 Tim. 3:15)
Since God's Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is "What does the Bible say?” We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.

 2. Autonomy of each local church.
  • Christ is the head of his Body, the church. He is the source of the Body's life ...  (Col. 1:18)
Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, group, or religious organization. We recognize the value of associating or cooperating with other Christ –centered church groups and Christians. 

3. Priesthood (Ministry) of every believer.
  • Christ loves us, and by His death He has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests to serve God ...   (Rev. 1:6)
  • But you are not like that, for you have been chosen by God himself—you are priests of the King, you are holy and pure, you are God’s very own—all this so that you may show to others how God called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.  (1 Peter 2:9)
The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to "full time" Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister and we encourage every member to find ways to serve others. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading and the "priestly" position is no longer limited to an "elite" class of men but rather through Christ we all have a responsibility to serve those in need and to share God's word. 

4. Tithing/Giving
  • A tithe of everything you produce belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.  (Lev. 26:30)  
  • All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  (Acts 2:44-45)
  • Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:7)
We practice tithing for the support of the church, as God commanded. The word tithe means "a tenth part." We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the biblical standard of giving. However, in the New Testament tithing is no longer commanded. God wants us to give from our heart with gratitude out of the blessings that He bestows upon us. He wants us to be givers in the same way that He loves us and "gave" His Son and every spiritual blessing that comes with Him. The New Testament standard is no longer bound to 10% as many will give above and beyond through tithes AND offerings. The true standard is to give and help others whenever we see a need. God loves a cheerful giver. 

5. Baptism by Immersion
  • For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ ...  (Col. 2:12)
We practice baptism by immersion under water - the way Jesus was baptized, and the way the Bible commands. Baptism does not save a person but is a symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. As we place our faith in Christ we are "born again." The bible also calls us a "new creation" for the old has gone and the new has come. Baptism is a testimony of our faith in Christ and tells the world that we are dying to our old way of life, being buried (under the water) then be raised to new life in Christ. Baptism identifies the new believer with Christ, signifies new life and incorporates the person into a community of believers and the overall body of Christ. 

6. Spirit-led living
  • For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (Phil 2:13)
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God's power within us. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God's Spirit to enable us to do what is right.

7. Telling others about Jesus
  • Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Pet. 3:15)
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those whom God brings us into contact with. We practice personal sharing about Jesus and inviting friends to church.

8. Make disciples
  • Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
    and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19-20)
When a person places their faith in Christ they are baptized and go through a discipleship class to learn all that Jesus commands. As a disciple we also learn to disciple others. We make disciples that will make disciples that will make disciples. The discipleship process is never over. We are always learning and always teaching and every person is expected to do so. This is who we are as disciples; it is in the very DNA of our house church network  and it is also in accord with the great commission of Jesus Christ.