For the past decade, those attending North Shore Christian Church had to be sure to bring a few things. Oh, sure, they brought their Bibles to follow along with the sermon by Pastor Steve Thompson. And many brought food for
For the past decade, those attending North Shore Christian Church had to be sure to bring a few things.
Oh, sure, they brought their Bibles to follow along with the sermon by Pastor Steve Thompson. And many brought food for the popular after-service potluck. But they also had to remember their raincoats and sunglasses. Yep, both — because you never know what the weather’s going to do.
That’s how it goes when you meet in a tent on Kauai.
“When there were heavy rains, the river would run through it,” said Rosalie Gordon, a member of the church since it started in 2001.
On days of strong winds and more rain, when it was difficult to get audio or visual systems working with any consistency, church was canceled.
“God was good,” Gordon said, smiling. “It only happened about three times.”
It won’t happen anymore.
NSCC recently moved into its new home at 4000 Kilauea Road, literally next door to that large yellow and white tent that still stands.
The four-year, $1.7 million project took patience, perseverance and prayer, but church members never lost hope.
When NSCC charter member Donna Schulze stepped into the building a few weeks ago for that historic first service, she cried. Couldn’t help it.
“I was so joyful,” she said. “I just felt complete joy.”
Likewise for Luka Hooten.
“It’s beautiful,” she said last Sunday following service. “It’s so wonderful not to worry about the weather, that we’re going to get blown away.”
Hooten looked around at the cavernous structure and grinned.
“Oh my goodness, we’re blessed to have this,” she said.
“I’m just happy to be here,” she added.
This new building isn’t anything too fancy. We’re talking the basics here.
Plastic chairs are lined up facing the stage. Beams and pipes and insulation are in plain view. Different colored sections of remnant carpeting lay on the area of the concrete floor where services are held. There are spiders on webs in some corners.
It’s casual here at NSCC. Folks laugh and chat before settling in for the 90-minute service that includes a sermon, communion, music and announcements.
“Let’s take a few moments to allow God to speak to us in our hearts,” says Thompson to the congregation during a time of prayer.
On this sunny Sunday morning, birds are singing outside and everyone is chipper inside, too.
“Praise God on this Super Bowl Sunday,” said guest speaker John Kanter.
Pastor Thompson was thrilled the building was finally ready for the church to meet on Sunday mornings but admitted there’s a little sadness, too.
“We really enjoyed the tent,” he said.
But that tent was two years past its 10-year warranty. No doubt, its better days were behind it.
“After 10 years, we were amazed at how long it lasted,” Thompson said, chuckling. “After 10 years, it seemed to deteriorate quite fast.”
The groundbreaking for the building was held four years ago. There were delays along the way, but in the end, it was finished on God’s time.
“When we finally got the occupancy certificate, it was quite a day of rejoicing,” Thompson said.
It was a lot like moving into a new home, with much to celebrate and be thankful for.
“It’s been good,” he said.
Gordon noted another reason the building is better than the tent.
“I’ve lugged the coffee pot and water jug for 10 years,” she said. “I’m happy to put it in the kitchen now and close the door.”
The building, which is big enough to fit a regulation basketball court, will see plenty of use from the church and its next door neighbor, Kauai Christian Academy.
When North Shore started, it met in smaller tents before moving into a larger one. A building fund was started with hopes of buying land.
“But it was so hard to find land for a church at a reasonable price,” Thompson said.
Someone suggested building on the KCA campus so both the church and the school could use it.
Good idea.
The church and the private school worked out a deal, said Thompson. The church paid for the building and will gift it to the academy, which also owns the property. They’re settling on an agreement that will assure the church use of the building on Sunday morning and other days when needed. The school will have access to it throughout the week, as well.
“The school has been very gracious to us,” Thompson said. “We just want to gift them with this building. We’re just pleased to be able to do that.”
Don Tofte, a member of the church leadership team, said the building will serve the area well.
“It’s going to be a real complement to the Kilauea community,” he said.
He expects it will receive a lot of use, so folks shouldn’t expect it to be spotless.
“We’re going to be using it for God’s glory,” he said. “We’re not going to try to keep it all that perfect around here.”
Tofte added it’s a nice change to be out of the rain and wind.
“This has been a big switch for us. We’ve been doing the family camp once a week for 12 years in the tent,” he said.
NSCC member Suzanne Deppe said the building is wonderful, but the people are even better.
“This is about the warmest congregation I’ve ever been in,” she said.
