From Prison to Pastor…

I was born in Wahiawa but raised in Waianae, never having a second thought about Wahiawa, yet here I find myself brought back full circle.
I was brought up in a great home with two loving parents and an awesome sister. Our parents sacrificed so much for my sister and I. Our parents chose to buy a house in Waianae and went without a lot so that my sister and I could have a private school education.
We went to Maile Bible Elementary and also attended Sacred Hearts Catholic Church in Waianae on Sundays. Even at a very young age, I noticed the difference of doctrines between what was being taught at the Christian school and at the Catholic church. It was confusing to me and no one was ever really able to answer my questions satisfactorily.
As I got older, I didn’t want to go to private school because of all the homework and not being able to hang out with all of my neighborhood friends. In 7th grade my grades began to drastically drop. I went from being a straight A student to practically Ds and Fs. My mom finally put me into Waianae after several attempts to move me around and keep me in private school. I quickly fell into the wrong crowds, using drugs, and crime. I had also run away from home several times through my high school years. I was so hard on my parents and made my mom cry more than several times. They never deserved all of the hardship that I gave them.
I moved out at 17, began a young life of several pursuits that never lead to any real substance. After having my oldest daughter, I went into a serious bout of depression because I felt like I had failed her by not providing a solid family setting for her. I made choices that eventually lead me to hard drugs and eventually to a life of real crime.
I have been arrested and in and out of jail more times than I can count. In prison, there is no shortage of Bibles. There was an interest that I had, but no real desire to follow Jesus. There was also a lot of bad theology in there. The last time I got arrested, because of some loophole, I became eligible for a mandatory 20-year prison sentence. That was the brick wall that I ran into in my life. One of my realest prayers that I ever prayed was, “God, I can’t do 20 years, I need Your help”. Well, He heard and answered. He helped me to know who He was. He opened my eyes and heart in a very real way to understand the Bible. He gave me a desire to know Him and follow Him.
I have been walking with Jesus ever since. He’s done an amazing miracle in my life by taking what was dead, broken, and in love with the world and made me alive in Christ, whole, and in love with Him.
Today, I am a husband to my beautiful wife, Joleen, and a father to my five wonderful children: Kamalani, Camryn, Eliana, Ahmariah, and Kalikiano.
My passion and purpose is to teach the Word of God and love His people. It is a tremendous honor and privilege, one which I do not take lightly. I am forever in His debt and eternally grateful.