No Longer Sitting on the Sidelines

by RUSSELL OGAWA
Pearl City, Hawaii, USA

In my early teens, weekends meant biking, fishing, football, and any other activity you could think of doing with friends. One day, my mom said she wanted me to start attending the Methodist church across the street from our home.

Wow, I thought, this would take a chunk out of my fun-filled weekends. However, I started attending Sunday school and church services regularly. I enjoyed it. I remember intently listening to the sermons and taking the lessons seriously.

Pastor Kim took an interest in developing the youth program there. We enjoyed many fun activities, service participation, and youth camps. On April 11, 1976, when I was 14, I was baptized in the church.

This was a big deal for me because it was a commitment I made on my own to follow the Christian faith. Through high school and college, my Christian faith helped me overcome many difficult situations.

Later in life I met my wife-to-be, Noreen. She was a member of the Hilo Congregation in Community of Christ. In 1990, we were married at the Makiki Congregation. Several years later, we began attending the Waipahu Congregation.

I remember being asked several times at the annual reunion if I would like to be baptized. But I did not pursue it, even after our daughter was baptized at age 8. I often felt like an athlete “sitting on the sidelines” during church services or activities. Although it felt uncomfortable, I did not feel the need to be baptized again because my original baptismal commitment remained personally special to me.

In 2010, I heard Community of Christ would be considering other baptisms. I was hopeful the policy would be approved. In November 2010, President Stephen M. Veazey, released a letter outlining policies about baptism, confirmation, and church membership. I was excited and began researching the policies and forms online at home and on my lunch breaks.

I pulled out my baptism certificate and checked that I met all the requirements for Community of Christ confirmation.

Shortly afterward, I shared my interest with Pastor Ron Mobley and Evangelist Redge Roberts. I submitted the required documents to Pastor Ron for review. He said I met the requirements, so I requested a date for confirmation.

On April 17, 2011, I was confirmed into Community of Christ with the Waipahu Congregation. This special day marked a blessing in my life I will never forget.

I am thankful Community of Christ made this policy change. Although I had been committed to Christ, I now am filled with gratitude to have renewed this commitment in the eyes of my family and church family by becoming a confirmed member.

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