Pacific Praise Newsletter

Eckert’s Editorial
Alumni Address
Student Spotlight
Campus Calendar
Mail Room
HBBI Dorm Wars 2008
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Eckert’s Editorial

Hafa adai from the SWGSBG (Short White Guy Saved By Grace)! It has been awhile since we have sent out “The Pacific Praise” newsletter. We praise the Lord that WE ARE BACK! With the help of the computer and audio-visual team here at Harvest Baptist Church we have worked out the problems that happen when you put together something like a newsletter. We have a new and improved “Pacific Praise” newsletter and would like to introduce you to it today.

Here’s a few of the things we have been working on. You will be able to access “The Pacific Praise” newsletter three ways: (1) email ( with no pictures), (2) on the web at www.hbcguam.net, and (3) downloadable (to print and show others). In the Mail Room we will be giving the email addresses of those who would like to give theirs out. This will help start getting students back in touch with each other. In Eckert’s Editorial I will mention 2 or 3 items that we can specifically pray for. The two items I would like us to pray for this issue are : 1…ADDITION OF A 4-YEAR DEGREE PROGRAM IN 2009 AND 2…START OF A NEW CHURCH AND SCHOOL IN CHUUK. These are exciting developments and we are looking forward to giving you more information as these things happen.

Finally as we go into the holiday season, I would like to ask you to pray for each other. Pray that the churches will be strengthened with Bible doctrine in Micronesia. Pray that our former HBBI student and current students will serve the Lord with all their hearts and souls and minds. Come quickly Lord Jesus. God bless you all.

Mr. Eckert
2 Timothy 2:2

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Alumni Address: Clayton Eliam (2001)

Clayton and Linda with Cheryl, Nathan, and Hadessah

This year my wife and I continue to teach at Calvary Christian Academy while I pastor at Wone Baptist Church. We are glad to have one of our young men, Solomon David, come back after graduating from HBBI. He is helping with the teens and children in church. He and my wife, Linda, take turns teaching Sunday school. On Saturdays, I work with Melvin Aphcas (another former HBBI student) and Kesner Santos. They are helping with the singing and translating. One of them also speaks at Toamworoalong, another ministry seven miles from our church.

I thank the Lord that He began a good work in us when we put our faith in His only Son Jesus Christ. He will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns (Philippians 1:6). Many times we are tempted to think that God does not see our need, and we make rash decisions on where to go and what to do. One of the things that encourages me is the fact that God cares about us. He even prayed for us before we were saved. John 17:20 says, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” Hebrews 7:25 also reminds us that He lives today and that He is interceding for every believer.

Every summer, my wife and I have a limited income since we are working at a private school that does not have its employees on salary when school in not in session. I remember once during the summer that we ran out of food and gas. Also, our “cash power” (electricity) was low. I had planned to take this need to the Lord and not to mention any of these needs to anyone except God. I was scheduled to speak at an anniversary service for a Baptist church that same evening, so I prayed that God would provide the gas. The Lord answered. A man called that afternoon and asked if we needed anything. I knew at that moment that his phone call was the answer to my prayer. After the service the man put groceries in the trunk of my car.

I thank the Lord for the privilege to serve Him. Deuteronomy 11:11 has encouraged me: “But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys.” God doesn’t promise that our journey will be easy; there will be hills and valleys like the Israelites searching for the Promised Land. But I am also thankful that before God calls us, He shows us in His Word that He will be with us through the hard times. I would like to challenge you that there are many islands and places in Micronesia where the gospel has not been preached. Luke 10:2 commands, “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest.” Pray that God would send more laborers to work in the harvest fields of Micronesia.

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Student Spotlight: Kerry Otto

Kerry Otto

Island: Chuuk
Class: Senior
Work: Security

I was born in an unsaved family and was raised in a Christian family because my parents got saved when I was in 5th grade. Around that time we started going to the Baptist church and that is where I found the truth. I remember that I was a very good kid after I got saved and growing spiritually until I reached high school.

During my sophomore year of high school, I started going out with ungodly friends and started doing what they do. I was drawing away from the Lord. Then, in my worldliness, I got into all kinds of drugs and alcohol. I started to lie to my parents about things and many times I did not come home all night because I would fall asleep in the jungle drunk. I would even miss classes and go to bars with my friends instead and then return to class drunk. During those years I was into so many terrible things that I am not proud of, but God has delivered me out of it all!

I had planned to go to college and be a lawyer but no schools accepted me. Only HBBI accepted my application and I came in August of 2006. Then, on September 31, 2007 at USO Beach while listening to a message on Micah 5:8 from guest speaker at Harvest, I dedicated my life to God and surrendered everything to Him. By his grace, I was able to deal with those old things in my life and have been growing spiritually. I am now looking forward to what the Lord has for me on the island of Chuuk.

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Campus Calendar

November
- Harvest Baptist Church Summit with Evangelist Steve Pettit
- Thanksgiving Beach Day Activity
December
- Christmas party with HBC Deacons
- HBC Christmas Concert
- Christmas Break
January
- Spring Picnic at Ritidian Beach
February
- 2008 Island Recruiting Trip
- Friendship Banquet
March
- Freshwater Retreat and HBC
- Missions Conference

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Mail Room

Special thanks to those listed below for writing to the Pacific Praise Newsletter. If you would like contact information for the individuals listed, please Contact Us.

Anter Sasuo
HBBI graduate (2000)
Married (Riwina) with 2 children
Pastor at Ohana Baptist Church…Hawaii

Megan Herron Pena
HBBI faculty
Married (Joaquin Pena)
Teacher at Harvest Christian Academy…Guam

Wedler Harry Jr.
HBBI graduate (2001)
Married (Mary) with 2 children
United States Air Force …Oklahoma
Attending Grace Place Baptist Church

Gordon Welles
HBBI graduate (1995)
Married (Karen) with 4 children
United States Army (SSG, Cadre Instructor)

Mark and Dianne Zimmer with 5 children
Missionaries to Yap
HBBI speakers

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