Dan at the Oscars?
by Shayna Kusumoto

If you were at the worship service on Palm Sunday, March 24, you may remember hearing Pastor Dan talk about the opportunity he had to go to the Oscars. If you don't remember, maybe you should consider going to bed earlier on Saturday nights.

In either case, Pastor Dan said it's a dream of his to attend the Oscars. He studied at University of Southern California's School of Performing Arts, so he's quite the movie enthusiast–loves seeing and studying movies.

Pastor Dan talked about wanting to see what happens behind the scenes at the Oscars–what happens during commercial breaks, the technical side and the awards presentations off-camera. He wants to be a part of the drama and anticipation of the ceremony and to socialize with the stars.

Well, last month he almost got his wish. A friend called him and said, "Dan, I have a ticket for you for the Oscars. You can get in this year and have a seat."

"Really? Praise God!" Dan said. "I can't believe it! This is great!"

The interesting part that he left out was that after hanging up with his friend, he called me to see if the headline could make it into the March Nu Hou Lani: "Pastor Dan goes to the Oscars." He told me about how it's every film student's dream, how it's just a miracle and how it would make a terrific article in the church newsletter.

"Wow. Gre-eat," I said, unconvinced that I should squeeze an article of that nature into the Nu Hou Lani (after all, it was way past the submission deadline). "Wait a minute, did you say March 24? So you're calling to cancel your RSVP to my wedding, too?!"

You see, I was that "church staff member getting married" whom he mentioned in his sermon. I was only teasing him about choosing the Oscars over my wedding, even though he really would have missed it. But what amazed me was that Pastor Dan actually paused (after exclaiming, "Oh my gosh–your wedding!" a couple dozen times) as if to reconsider accepting the invitation to the Oscars.

"Well, it is Palm Sunday," he said. "And I missed Palm Sunday last year because I got sick and Jim had to take my place. I would miss your wedding on Sunday and I would miss another wedding on Saturday. Ugh!"

"Pastor Dan, no–you should go–I won't be offended! I totally understand!" I said.

I found out later that he decided against going to the Oscars. He chose not to go! And I'm here to say that we should be very proud of Pastor Dan! He gave up something very important to him to be with the congregation. He chose to preach instead.

Pastor Dan "died" to his own will and desires just like Jesus did a week after Palm Sunday. Pastor Dan gave up the chance to walk the red carpet with the stars, of being within two feet of the world's greatest actors, directors and producers. (No regrets, right Pastor Dan?)

I can't tell you how much it meant to me to see Pastor Dan at my wedding that Sunday night, March 24. I knew he didn't have to be there. He could have been at home watching the Academy Awards on TV.

Every year thousands of people flock to the Oscars to see the stars walk the red carpet. Millions more watch this internationally broadcasted event from home. Pastor Dan could have been doing both, but he wasn't. He was present in my life and present with you during worship services. Or was he...? These hidden camera shots tell a different story.

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