Pastor Emeritus Alan Leigh
From Unrepentant Hippie to Jesus Freak
In the late sixties and early seventies, I lived life as an unchurched and unrepentant hippie. After graduating in 1972 from Woodbridge High School, I worked in highway construction in Virginia, while flying to and from Hawaii to visit my parents, who had moved and lived there in 1972-1973. In 1978, I got my B.A. in Political Science from George Mason University, then left Virginia to begin a career as a rock 'n' roll sound-man in Monterey California. Of course, this involved living my life as a hedonist and bohemian, a rebel, one who was hostile to the things of God. Little did I know that the Lord had already orchestrated my destiny according to His plans for me.
With perfect precision and timing, and utmost mercy, He chipped away at the hardness of my unrepentant heart - first through my beloved mom's witness of Christ, followed by her heartbreaking death a year later. Finally came the day when His Word completely shattered my heart through Pastor Mike Stangel (North Shore Christian Fellowship) - God's answer to the fervent prayers of my two saved brothers. Pastor Mike preached out of 2 Corinthians chapter 7 on the difference between the holy repentance of God and man's repentance. It was as if a lightening bolt had struck me as I heard the gospel - a Damascus road experience for this 29 year-old wayward and rebellious soul!
Since then, Jesus has healed and restored me; He's molded me and refined me, and He continues to bless me in endless and unexpected ways. He has shown me nothing but grace and mercy, and fills me with an overwhelming sense of being loved and secured.
The Lord has blessed me with my beautiful wife, Sonya, who I married on May 25, 1983. We have 3 now-grown children, whom I love and cherish: Ruth, Daniel, and Samuel.
I was an assistant pastor at North Shore Christian Fellowship for almost 17 years until 2005, when I heard and obeyed God's calling to start His work in Wahiawa - a place sometimes referred to by locals as the piko (Hawaiian = "navel") on the island of Oahu. I have earned a degree from University of Hawaii in teaching high school (with the intent for use for missions), and a Masters of Divinity from Liberty University.
In my 34 years as a Christian, I have led over twenty six short-term missions in the countries of: China, India, Africa, Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Mexico, Turkey, Indonesia and USA. (see Mission Page)
Calvary Chapel Wahiawa supports several different organizations in their missionary work: Gateway, Voice of the Martyrs (VOM), Good News Prison Outreach, and Chosen People Ministries.
Calvary Chapel is the only church affiliation I have ever been involved with. However, I have worked with, and continue to work with, many different churches - denominational - due to my deep desire to see Christ-following, Bible-believing church bodies coming together as one. I have been used by God's grace in every aspect of church life, helping me grow and understand God's heart for His church, and the unchurched. Since being save in 1983, I have been active in ministry prison and serve as an assistant Chaplin in the Hawaii prison system, working mainly in Halawa Correctional Facility.
In serving the Lord, I have some of the best and greatest relationships a man could ever ask for from my time with NSCF and CCW. I am blessed.
Today, I am praying for a real awakening of faith for our nation, and feel that the church must be on its knees to see God move again. I look forward to the rapture, and my heart cries out, "Come, Lord Jesus, come."