A Hawaii megachurch has a major agenda for the expansion of God’s kingdom in West Oahu.
Local television station KHON2 reported recently that New Hope Leeward, a Foursquare church of approximately 4,000 members in Waipahu, plans to purchase more than 200 acres of Kunia farmland to build an entire church community at a cost of $30 million.
The report said church officials expect to close on the property “in the next year or so” after signing a purchase and sale agreement in May 2012. They are now working with the city on zoning changes.
This past Sunday, New Hope Leeward Senior Pastor Michael Lwin revealed the plans—which include a church sanctuary, a Christian school and a large outdoor amphitheater—to his congregation. Lwin also hopes the church can launch a college campus on the property.
“We’re going to have a Bible college there, so basically your kids can go here from age 0 all the way to their doctorate degree,” Lwin told the congregation.
New Hope Leeward officials have launched a giving campaign called “Promised Land” to fund the expansion plans.
“We’re fundraising for $10 [million], and our church has pledged $3.5 million so far, which is super generous for a Waipahu church, especially in this economy,” Lwin told KHON2.
The church is in the midst of other expansions. It is opening three new locations on the Leeward side of the island of Oahu.
The property located along Kunia Road is currently zoned as agricultural land. The church’s initial plans were rejected in 2012, but a new director was appointed at the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), and the plans were revisited.
Church officials have done environmental and traffic studies ahead of the project plans and are waiting on the DPP for their zoning change request.
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