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What does it take to be a “warrior in the making”?
by Joe Noland –
Revolution Hawaii team on the beach in front of Camp Homelani, front left to right: Jewela Campos, Lindsey Ponce, Antonia Munoz, Laura Peguero, Nancy Tuttle, Denise Noland, and Rob Noland; back left to right: Emily Rapoza, Juan Ramirez, Adam Schaefers, and Angel Resendiz. |
Since ancient times, long before the arrival of the British in 1778, the Hawaiian warrior’s life was one of devoted service to the ali’i nui (high chief), and demanded rigorous physical training to maintain his specialized offensive and defensive skills.
The “warrior” was highly esteemed in Hawaiian culture and, in the historical excerpt above we find an uncanny spiritual parallel to the present day Revolution Hawaii warrior. They have come from far and wide, eight in number, for rigorous training in spiritual warfare. In so doing they have set aside a year to prepare for a life of devoted service to the King of Kings. Let’s take a brief glimpse into the “making of a warrior.”
A typical day begins early with personal and team devotions—the goal being to read and journal through the Bible in a year. This is followed by a time of teaching and free wheeling discussion under the direction of their Kahunas (leaders), Rob and Dee Noland. Part of that discussion centers around the books they have been assigned to read—Revolution, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Before You Hit the Wall, The Servant, Kingdom Works, The Irresistible Revolution, Aggressive Christianity, Flight Manual for Prospective Angels, The Case for Christ and Under the Banner of Heaven, just to name a few.
In addition, guest lecturers are featured on a regular basis: Major Dave Hudson, (monthly), Commissioner Joe Noland (monthly), General Paul and Commissioner Kay Rader, Commissioners Earle and Wilma Maxwell, Commissioner Raymond Cooper, Captain Kyle Smith, Captain Marty Cooper (Marshall Islands), Major John Chamness, Major Gary Miller (NHQ) and Captain Rubina Navarro, with more yet to come.
After lunch, the four teams depart for their assigned “spiritual warfare” areas surrounding each of the four corps on the island. They attend the corps and participate as good soldiers, but they do not work for the corps. They are missionary warriors who have been charged to get involved in their community by building relationships with those who find themselves marginalized and wanting. Every Friday the prayer room is occupied for 24 hours as each team member takes a shift praying and fasting. In addition, the team has committed itself to Scripture memorization.
Don’t let the photo of the REVOHI team accompanying this article fool you. This was one of those rare beach photo ops at Camp Homelani, taken before launching into the regimen described above. The team, by design, practices a simple lifestyle. There is no television, and public transportation is their mode of travel. Each week they are given a small stipend equal to what someone on welfare might receive and, together, they must
find creative ways to stretch their resources.
Talk to the team members and they will be quick to tell you that they have discovered another side of paradise, one that requires a highly sophisticated set of defensive and offensive skills. They will tell you that the enemy is attacking continuously in most unexpected ways (both internally and externally). They will also tell you that they are being prepared and equipped to defeat the enemy, not only now, but for a lifetime.
If you are between the ages of 18 – 28, you too can become a “warrior in the making” and experience “A Year to Change a Lifetime.” Check it out at www.revolutionhawaii.com.