In February, the PINCUM met annually in Hawaii to discuss the future plans of the UMC Ministry of 2017.  Bishop Hagiya challenged the Pacific Islander Pastors to create a Committee for the Youth and Young Adults.  This Committee will serve as a tool for all the Pacific Islander Methodist Churches in CalPac, to not only give an opportunity for the young adults to step up as Leaders, but strengthen their faith to take back to their own churches and apply.  Thus, the PIYYA Committee was formed and created.  The first event that the Bishop mandated was to create a Camp for the Youth and Young Adults - which is where the PIYYA Mainland Committee set forth to do. 

 

This Camp was created with the Theme "Feed my Sheep", with the emphasis on the scripture John 21:17, "The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "LORD, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."  The main focus of this camp was to open the door of fellowship between the churches, implement a foundation where we can start to build this Ministry and give the first tools/resources for the youths to take back to their own churches to apply.

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With the help of Rev. Saia Tuitahi (Santa ana UMC) and Rev. Nikki Uepi (Riverside UMC), we were able to "feed" 91+ Campers within 3 days filled with workshops, fellowship, praise and worship.  "This was what we've wanted for for a while now" stated Havili Lomu, a youth member from Santa Ana UMC.  It was just a great experience and a start of a great ministry for our youth and young adults.