Hello Beloved Church Family,
As of last night, the HS has appointed Beloved Deacon Janina to the position of Elder Janina Hopes. Seven months ago, we had a meeting when appointing Pastor Jeremiah, and I had told them at that time that we are no longer appointing spouses based on the default of one spouse getting appointed. In fact, I gave her two ultimatums. I gave her one year to lose weight and be sustainable in the new weight and show manageable ability with Joel. But not only Joel, they were told to have a different oversight and enforceability response with respect to Selah and JH. In December, I reminded both of them six months was up. Moreover, I had warned, at that time, Deaconess Janina that if she did not accomplish our requirements, Pastor Jeremiah would be taken down.
I am advising and disclosing this to the church family because there is a new way of doing business in the realm of leadership. Spouses will be responsible for each other. If one does not obey, then the other will suffer the consequences of the other, whether for benefit or loss.
Elder Janina had to endure some difficult tests during the last seven months, and Pastor Jeremiah had to institute a new paradigm of spiritual authority that was alien to the status quo of their normal family affairs. Both of them went through some fire as the couple persevered to be forged into one. They are still in the process of being forged by the Holy Spirit as a single-minded and spirited couple.
We give all the glory to God and we like to say we are proud of Elder Janina and Pastor Jeremiah for coming through the tunnel of Fire from God as they have been passing their tests. They are not yet out of their leopard city and Elder Janina is not finished with all her tests. When they leave Tracy and back to the Bay Area, more tests awaits them. But I believe they will do fine.
Please address Pastor Jeremiah and Elder Janina Hopes.
Senior Pastor Steve Kim