Ecce Ego Mitte Me

Eia au, e hoʻouna mai iaʻu

God calls each of us into a life of active response. When the prophet Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord asking who would go for them, his answer was simple and ready. He said, here am I, send me. That phrase, Ecce Ego Mitte Me—expressed in the Hawaiian language as Eia au, e hoʻouna mai iaʻu—shapes how I understand my call to ministry in the Reformed tradition. It is a daily posture of listening for God and being willing to step out where the Spirit leads.

The foundation of this ministry rests on the grace of God made known in Jesus Christ. God created the world and all people out of love, and even when we turned away, God did not abandon us. In Jesus, God came close to us, sharing our life, dying on the cross, and rising to new life. Through Christ, our sins are forgiven, and we are set free to live as children of God. This is the good news that gathers us together and sends us back out.

At the same time, God's love and presence extend far beyond the boundaries of our own tradition, like the traditions of my Ilocano ancestors and guardians of the Hawaiian islands where I was born. I believe we are called to walk in deep respect and humility alongside people of other world religions, diverse faith traditions, and those who profess no faith in God at all. Truth, wisdom, compassion, and a commitment to human dignity are found across the human family. Loving our neighbors means honoring their stories, listening across differences, and working together for the common good without demanding conformity.

The Holy Spirit moves through the Church to equip us for this work. The Church is not a social club or an institution meant to preserve itself. It is the body of Christ in the world, called to worship God, care for the hurting, and work for justice alongside all people of goodwill. The Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper mark us as part of this community. In baptism, we are washed and claimed by God once and for all. At the table, we are fed and nourished by Christ so we have the strength for the journey.

Living out our faith means we do not stay inside the walls of the church building. The motto Ecce Ego Mitte Me (Eia au, e hoʻouna mai iaʻu) reminds us that ministry happens wherever people are struggling, searching, or hurting. It means showing up in our neighborhoods, our workplaces, and our communities with open hands and willing hearts. When God asks who will feed the hungry, comfort the grieving, or stand up for the vulnerable, our response cannot be hesitation. It has to be a readiness to go.

My ministry is built on trust in God's grace and a willingness to answer when God calls. No matter where the path leads or what challenges come up, we go forward knowing that God goes with us every step of the way.