April 2025 News
Dear friends of Invested Faith,
Kamaile Pahukoa, Ke’anae Community Market, Ke’anae, Maui
I spent several days on Maui last week visiting with two of our Invested Faith Fellows on that island. Kamaile Pahukoa has organized a farmer's market that is revitalizing her home community of Ke'anae, Maui. Part of that is her new coffee truck, up and running thanks in part to Invested Faith's support of her work.
Leslee Matthews, SOUL Law, Maui, HI and Pastor Amy Butler
Attorney Leslee Matthews also updated us on her work with clients facing the trauma of domestic violence. Her holistic approach to legal and social support engages a whole network of community leaders, and it was beautiful to see her thriving.
I also drove into Lahaina, destroyed by fire almost two years ago. The city is flattened, all the debris moved, but the feelings of destruction, pain and loss float in the air still; I think they will forever. During a few moments of reflection, I began to notice all the ways new life is coming back to Lahaina--sprouts of green from burned tree stumps, big groups of Hawaiian sea turtles rolling around in the surf along the shore, and slowly, slowly, homes being rebuilt and people returning to begin again.
It was a palpable reminder that life is tenacious. The words of Deuteronomy 30:19 kept coming to mind: "I'm offering you the choice of life or death. You can choose either blessings or curses. But I want you to choose life. Then you and your children will live."
In these times fraught with fear and uncertainty, Invested Faith is helping me choose life over death again and again, thanks to your support and the life-changing work of our Fellows. I am so deeply grateful.
P.S. Don't miss this great article about the innovative work of Invested Faith Fellow Beverly Jenkins and her husband, Ken, on the Faith and Leadership website.
Join Us in Atlanta in May!
Are you attending the Festival of Homiletics in Atlanta this May? Join Pastor Amy at this special event! You'll have the chance to meet several Invested Faith Fellows and learn more about our work and Good Faith Media. Best of all - it's free!
Advance registration is required. Click here to register.
If you're not a faith leader already attending the Festival, forward this email to your pastor, colleague, or friend to make sure they know about this opportunity!
Meet An Invested Faith Community Member
Deborah Balfour Chisholm
Chester, NY
If you could only watch one television show or listen to one musical artist for the rest of your life, what would it be?
TV Show: Matlock (Kathy Bates version)
Musical Artist: Roberta Flack
What is the most unique fact you know?
There is no medical name for the back of the knee.
What's at the top of your bucket list?
I would like to visit the coast of West Africa, the location of slave ports such as Ouidah, Lagos, Aneho, Porto-Novo and Badagry. These ports traded slaves (my ancestors) who were supplied from African communities, tribes, and kingdoms.
What inspired you to give financially to Invested Faith?
As a life-long member of a United Church of Christ congregation, I have experienced many highs and lows, which sometimes included a collective hesitation to think outside of the box about the ways the Church can continue to do what Jesus commanded, long after we're gone. While continuing to pray that my and many other local congregations will grow in thought and deed, I find that the principles of Invested Faith ring true to me as an effective approach to doing His will. As an exercise of my personal faith, I decided to support Invested Faith along with my own Church and other organizations that are working in the vineyard.
