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Nearly nine months after the devastating wildfire on Maui, the community is still struggling and suffering from the aftermath of the destructive fire.
Pastor Greg Laurie, founder of Harvest Christian Fellowship in California and Hawaii, wants to help meet the needs of those struggling on the island, both physically and spiritually.
Laurie, along with former “American Idol” contestant Danny Gokey and worship leader Leeland, are organizing an outreach event called “Hope for Lahaina” on Sunday, April 28. a source of encouragement and upliftment for people trying to regain a sense of normalcy after losing everything.
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Speaking to Fox News Digital this week, Laurie said there continues to be a “lingering sadness” on the island, long after the clouds of smoke and ash have disappeared.
“Reality is setting in,” he said. “Unfortunately, some have abandoned the island completely.”
Reconstruction in Lahaina “has been slow,” Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship told Fox News Digital. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
Although the event is called “Hope for Lahaina,” Laurie said “hope” is an acronym that stands for “Holding On with Patient Expectation.”
“The Bible tells us that hope can function as an anchor in a person’s life,” he said.
In Lahaina, this is literally happening, Laurie said. A “grand anchor” now stands where the Pioneer Inn once stood, a historic inn that was the oldest continuously operating hotel in Hawaii.
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“The anchor survived that horrible fire, as did the famous banyan tree,” Laurie said. “This tree was originally planted in 1873 to mark the 50th anniversary of the missionaries’ first mission to the island.”
The banyan tree and the anchor, Laurie said, “symbolize what we’re doing.”
Pastor Greg Laurie, center, will share a message from John's gospel about Lazarus at Sunday's “Hope for Lahaina” event. He will be joined by Leeland Mooring, left, and Danny Gokey of “American Idol” fame. (Maui Harvest)
“Hope in God anchors us in tumultuous times, and God can bring 'beauty from the ashes' and we can live and grow again,” he said.
That hope, Laurie said, “is found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.”
“Hope in God anchors us in tumultuous times.”
Harvest, which is located in Lahaina, “was able to fill the gap and bring practical help and hope to the people of this island,” he said.
Thanks to donations from across the country, Havest Maui provided food, clothing, school supplies, housing and more to people who survived the fires.
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“We’ve also had mental health experts speaking on the island, as well as at family-friendly events – from inspiring movie nights to outreach activities for thousands of children,” Laurie told Fox News Digital.
He continued, “We help local schools by building temporary classrooms for their children and continue to support Maui first responders who are also victims of the fires.”
Pastor Laurie, seen here in a July 2023 photo, seeks to inspire the people of Maui with the message of the Gospel and the truth that Jesus has the power to change lives, even when things seem hopeless. (Pastor Greg Laurie/Ministry of Harvest)
The consequences of the fire are particularly severe for children, he said, who are now bussed 90 minutes to and from school each day after their original schools were destroyed.
“Rebuilding here has been slow,” Laurie said.
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In addition to physical assistance, Laurie also worked to meet people's spiritual needs.
“Our weekly worship services and biblical teachings are at the heart of everything we say and do,” he said. “We have had Harvest Maui pastors trained in biblical trauma counseling to support those in the community who need assistance.”
“Harvest Maui is here for the long haul.”
“Harvest Maui is here to last,” said Laurie, noting that her church will soon move to a more permanent facility to accommodate its growing congregation.
“I can’t emphasize enough how important spiritual help is for people, especially at a time like this,” he said.
“Jesus is still in the life-changing business today,” said Pastor Laurie. (Pastor Greg Laurie/Ministry of Harvest)
The situation in Lahaina, he said, is not unlike the story of Lazarus in the Gospel of John.
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After Lazarus' death, things “seemed like the bleakest of circumstances,” Laurie said.
“Jesus came and changed everything,” raising Lazarus from the dead.
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And “Jesus,” he said, “is still in the life-changing business today.”
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