Never Give Up!
When he walked into his first Revelation of Hope seminar in the summer of 2013, Jon Baker told himself, “Don’t get convicted.”
Up until that point, Jon and his wife Karissa weren't the least bit interested in God. They would much rather be throwing back a few cold ones with friends over a football game than sitting silent and stiff in a wooden church pew.
But that night, as the couple listened to their old high school friend preach the gospel, something shifted in their hearts. They couldn’t tell you later what the topic had been. They may not have remembered any of the verses. But they knew one thing -- God had grabbed hold of them, and they needed to make “a lot of changes.”
They started with emptying the alcohol pantry -- and haven’t looked back since. But their testimony goes far beyond a party-hard couple getting sober. It’s about family and friends who never gave up. It’s about second chances. And it’s about a loving God who will stop at absolutely nothing to get to the heart of His children.
Jon and Karissa both grew up in Adventist homes. Going to church on Saturday and avoiding unclean foods was part of their everyday life, but without a personal relationship with God, they were lost and didn’t even know it.
Jon grew up on the west side of Oahu. Waianae was known as the slums and Jon had to learn street smarts at a young age. He was often left to fend for himself, which sometimes meant having to steal just so he could eat. His family life was a lot different at home than what was portrayed at church, so Jon never had a deep conviction in learning about God. When Jon was a junior in high-school, Waianae SDA Church had a revelation seminar led out by Pastor Nemaia Faletogo. It was then that Jon felt on-fire for the Lord and decided to move mid-year from Waianae High School to Hawaiian Mission Academy.
Karissa grew up in Wailuku, Maui. Shortly after being baptized around the age of 12, Karissa succumbed to the influence of her peers. Occasionally smoking cigarettes that later led to smoking marijuana and drinking, became part of her teen life. She had the philosophy that as long as she come home with “A’s” and “B’s”, her parents wouldn’t question her social life. At the end of her junior year of high school, she realized a change needed to be made or she would end up “spiraling downward.” So, Karissa decided to move to Oahu and attend Hawaiian Mission Academy.
Jon and Karissa first met at Hawaiian Mission Academy, but they were just friends at that time. Taj and Wati also attended Hawaiian Mission Academy during this time. After high school, Jon and Karissa slipped away from following God. Jon stayed on Oahu and enjoyed the party life. Karissa went to Pacific Union College for a year, but came back to Oahu to finish college.
In the summer of 2005, Karissa and Jon ran into each other at a bar and exchanged numbers. A few months later they started dating and Karissa eventually moved in with Jon. Jon worked as a valet and Karissa was a bartender, they thought they were living the life. Partying, clubbing, and gambling were typical pastimes for this couple. About a year after dating, Jon and Karissa found out they were expecting. Young and not married, Karissa was afraid to break the news to her parents and Jon was contemplating abortion. To make things right, they decided to move to Maui and get married before the baby arrived. On March 31, 2007, Jon and Karissa had a shotgun wedding and the next day, on April Fools Day, Karissa gave birth to their first daughter, Makaylah. A couple of years later, their second daughter, Marley, was born. Other than being parents, not much changed. The partying continued. Whether it was a football game, MMA match, birthdays, it would be “party at the Baker’s.” Throughout the years, Taj and Wati tried to reach out to Jon and Karissa, but their attempts were dismissed. Jon and Karissa weren’t interested in hearing about God.
In the summer of 2013, Karissa’s parents told her about an upcoming revelation seminar at the Kahului SDA Church and that Taj and Wati were coming down. At first Karissa wasn’t interested, but God was working on her heart. The opening night of the seminar, Karissa asked Jon if he wanted to go, but he wasn’t interested. Nor did they attend the next night. On Sunday, Jon and Karissa decided to stay home and drink a new beer they recently discovered at a beer fest. The following night, Karissa tried a different approach and told Jon they should just go and say “hi” to their friends. Jon grew up with Taj in Waianae, and Karissa and Wati were both Maui girls, but the couple were also classmates with some of the ministry’s musicians. Jon agreed to go, but just for dinner and leave before the sermon.
While having dinner and catching up with their classmates, the couple’s daughters took it upon themselves to go to the children’s program. Karissa and Jon had no choice but to stay for the sermon that night. Before entering the sanctuary, Jon repeated in his mind, “Don’t get convicted.” They stayed, listened to the whole sermon then headed home. The car ride home was dead silent. When Jon parked the car, he turned to Karissa and said, “There needs to be a lot of changes.” The next day, the pantry that was once full of alcohol was emptied out and the couple started getting rid of jewelry, clothing, movies, music...anything that they felt God was telling them to clear out. They started going to church on a regular basis, hosting vespers at their home, surrounding themselves with fellow believers and making God the foundation of their home. Six months later, on January 11, 2014, the couple were baptized by Taj in a fresh mountain stream at Iao Valley.
The couple still resides on Maui and are still faithfully serving God. Jon serves as a deacon and the young adults leader and Karissa serves as teen Sabbath school teacher and VBS director. Their home is still the hang out spot, but now for missionaries, visitors, and the Adventist young adult group that has grown over the years. “Allowing God to be the center of our marriage and family was the best decision we ever made,” they said. Jon and Karissa also started a Christian clothing brand named J3:XVI (John 3:16). This brand has opened up many doors for the couple to work with the Maui community, other Christian brands, and believers of all walks of faith.
In reflecting over the changes the couple has experienced since rededicating their lives to God, Jon and Karissa are just amazed to see how God never gave up on them. To see how God used Taj and Wati and Revelation of Hope Ministries to bring them back to His fold is something Jon and Karissa will be forever grateful for. And to now come full circle with Karissa working as the new Communications Director for Revelation of Hope Ministries is such an honor for her.
The main message in this couple’s testimony is to never give up reaching out to your loved ones. Taj and Wati never forced, never judged, and were genuine each time they reached out to Jon and Karissa. Karissa’s parents never gave up inviting them to church. You may have been praying for someone close to your heart and have reached out several times, but don’t get discouraged if they have not yet responded. God’s timing is not our timing. Galatians 6:9 says “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Just as God used many to reach Jon and Karissa, God is working in your loved one’s life and when they are ready to listen, God will do wonders.
Patronage
The word “patron” comes from the latin orgin pater or patr- meaning “father.” One definition of the word is “one who advances the cause.” Just as a father would support the cause of his child, patronage stems from ancient times when the prevalent would support an artist or an institution.
The Revelation of Hope Ministries recently established an account with Patreon, which is an online platform that allows the ministry to work directly with patrons that are able to contribute financially to advance the ministry’s cause. In return, the ministry has created benefits for its patrons based on the financial pledge. There are currently seven different pledge tiers:
Each tier comes with different benefits, but all patrons, no matter what tier, receive:
Access to ALL Reflections of Hope Episodes
Access to the first 15 presentations of the Revelation of Hope Seminar
Early access to all new videos
Yearly Revelation of Hope Newsletters
Original nature pictures signed by Taj Pacleb
Revelation of Hope Ministries is very grateful to all the donors that have contributed over the years. Each donation has helped the ministry to preach the gospel throughout the world. And as long as God continues to open doors, the Revelation of Hope Ministries will continue the mission of revival, training, and evangelism. Please prayerfully consider becoming a Revelation of Hope financial patron atwww.patreon.com/revelationofhope.
Patronage can come in many forms, so if you are unable to commit to a financial pledge at this time, the Revelation of Hope Ministries will always be in need of your continued prayers and encouragement.
New Reflections of Hope Episode 22 — Shark Attack
It’s common knowledge, sharks are terrifying monsters of the deep, that love to hunt humans for lunch. Anytime you see a shark you should get away as fast as possible, right? But what if everything you thought you knew about sharks was wrong? What if reality, was far different from our pre-programed perceptions? This new Reflections of Hope episode takes a deeper look into the eyes of one of the most feared creatures in the world, to learn a life lesson that will empower you to live without fear!
Free At Last is the compelling conversion story of Evangelist Taj Pacleb. It describes the journey that took him from the bondage of his additions to the freedom he found in Jesus! This first Revelation of Hope pocket sharing tract is perfect for sharing with the people that God brings into you pathway from day to day. Hand it to a stranger, leave it at the gas pump, include it with your restaurant tip, send it in the mail, place it in the church bulletin, and pass them out from door to door. Each pack includes 100 tracts for the wholesale price of $5. That’s only 5 cents per tract that has the potential to change someone for eternity! Order today via our webstore.