Transformation Multiplication From Small Beginnings to God-Sized Multiplication ✨
Aloha! My name is Max Fowler, I am the Lead Pastor at Salt and Light Hawaii. We meet at Waikiki School, in the shadow of the world famous Diamond Head.
Transformation Multiplication. That’s not easy to say, is it? Say it a few times really fast, “Transformation Multiplication, Transformation Multiplication!” In fact, multiplication isn’t that easy either! When it comes to anything to do with math, it gives me a little bit of a headache! I may not know the most about mathematics, but I do know one thing… We are praying for and working towards transformation multiplication.
The God-given vision of our church is for Jesus to redeem and transform our hearts, our families, our community and the nations!
With a small church like our’s it’s easy to think small, dream small dreams, and have a human sized vision. But God has put it on our hearts to dream big! He wants us to go from normal addition to God’s multiplication!
Let me share a few small testimonies that are adding up to the fulfillment of a giant, God-sized vision!
The Ivy is a Retirement Home in Hawaii Kai. We found out that they didn’t have a service there and teamed up with New Hope Hawaii Kai to send in teams there on Sunday mornings. We’ve been sending teams there for almost 4 years now one Sunday a month who do a worship service for the residents. New Hope sends a team on a separate Sunday. They had a baptism last year and 16 people ended up getting baptized in their pool!
Last year, a member at our church found out about it and God put it on her heart to start another Ekklesia at The Plaza Waikiki! They have another team that goes in once a month with a message, arts and crafts, and food. It’s really growing and more and more residents are coming out and hearing the gospel, getting prayed for and developing relationships with God’s people! One of the residents has even become a part of our church ohana!
As a pastor this is especially exciting for me! I’m not a part of either of these Ekklesias. This is the church being the church. God is empowering our church of ordinary people to love like Jesus and live like missionaries! To inject the leaven into the dough of society! To go and be salt and light!
I’d also like to share about a woman in our church who is shy and doesn’t say much. But over the years I have seen her really grow in her faith and desire to see people redeemed and transformed. Susan Miyashiro is a basketball mom. Her daughter plays for HBA and their middle school coach passed away recently. Susan was the team mom and organized a prayer group at the hospital where team members and their families would gather and pray and worship together in the room. The Spirit of God was moving and the coach’s family and the tribe families were comforted and even encouraged.
There are a lot of other testimonies, which we celebrate and are grateful for, that encourage us. I can think of many other groups, mission ventures, or Ekklesias birthed over the last few years as people are taking their faith into their families, workplaces, and to their neighbors!
We have seen an online Ekklesia birthed with a group meeting regularly to worship Jesus in Central Asia! One of the women in the group has been inspired to connect with 9 of her neighbors and start a weekly Bible study! She said it was always her dream and it finally became a reality!
I may not be a mathematician, but I do know that these stories are adding up! They are stacking upon themselves one after another and even starting to multiply!
We are living for transformation multiplication!
The vision of Transformation Multiplication is becoming contagious! Our church is starting to live for God’s vision of redemption and transformation, and starting to actually believe God will use our church to transform East Honolulu over the next 20 years!
In 20 years what will our “7 mile miracle” of East Honolulu look like?
Thousands of people, families, businesses, and schools from Kaimuki to Kalama Valley - from Diamond Head to Koko Head, will come to know Jesus! They will be disciples and disciple makers! The culture of East Honolulu will love Jesus and the Spirit of God will dwell in our hearts and homes.
Of course we can’t do it alone, so we unite with other churches. We already have a hub of pastors who pray together and partners and brothers in this mission.
I’m living for Transformation Multiplication of everyone in our church, and their families. But it doesn’t end there, I am living for Jesus to transform all of Hawaii, and all nations!
What about you? What vision are you living for?
Start right where you’re at. What’s in your hand? Start there. Start small, and soon these testimonies add up and pretty soon the testimonies will start to multiply!
Zechariah 4:10
Don’t despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…
Philippines Outreach 2026
Camarines Sur — Bicol, Luzon
Where do we even begin?
This year’s outreach to the Philippines has been nothing short of extraordinary. God is moving in powerful ways — especially in the province of Camarines Sur in the Bicol region of southern Luzon.
From the moment we landed, doors began opening.
We ministered everywhere — from small squatter communities where families live in extreme poverty, to high-level government offices. One of the most unexpected moments came when the city mayor, the former Vice President of the Philippines Leni Robredo, welcomed us and opened the entire city to our team. She simply said, “If you need anything, just call.” It was a casual invitation, but it carried tremendous authority.
Soon after, we were given the opportunity to meet and pray with the provincial governor LRay Villafuerte. What we expected to be a brief courtesy visit turned into an hour-long meeting. During our time together, our team performed a sign dance choreographed by our dear friends Paka and Lei Souza. The presence of God filled the room, and the governor was moved to tears.
What happened next was a defining moment.
He granted us permission to preach the gospel throughout the entire province — in government buildings, in public schools, and in any institution under his jurisdiction. Not only were we allowed to share, but we were also given his blessing to hold altar calls!
It was a complete game changer.
Through our partnership with Bishop Joey Piano, who serves as Director of Religious Affairs under the governor, we stepped into a shared vision: to bring the gospel to every single school in Camarines Sur.
Bibles, study guides, discipleship materials for high school and college students, and illustrated gospel booklets for elementary students were distributed widely. In total, we witnessed over 4,000 students respond to the gospel and give their lives to the Lord.
When God opens governmental doors like this, it shifts the spiritual atmosphere over an entire region.
This outreach continues to be a beautiful blend of what we’ve gleaned from TOW Hawaii and our ministry with YWAM. YWAM gives us the opportunity to go with passion and zeal, sharing Christ boldly. Transform our World reminds us that it’s not just about decisions — it’s about discipleship. We work closely with local churches to ensure new believers are connected, grounded, and strengthened in community.
This year was especially meaningful as we were able to minister among two major church networks that don’t normally collaborate. Because we come from outside the region, we were uniquely positioned to serve both groups and help foster unity.
And for me personally, one of the greatest joys was ministering alongside my wife, Doreen, and our daughter Breezie.
Watching them worship through hula, seeing the love and presence they carry, and witnessing how the people embraced them — it was deeply moving. Doreen carries a motherly and grandmotherly grace that draws hearts in immediately. Breezie continues to grow into her leadership calling — strong, loving, and full of joy, reminds me of her grandpa Hiroshi.
We are seeing the fruit of legacy.
The decision our parents made to follow the Lord has changed the trajectory of our family. Now we are watching that faith ripple into the next generation — and into the nations.
God is faithful.
Thank you for praying. Thank you for standing with us. The harvest is truly plentiful.
Mahalo and God bless you all,
Doreen and Paul Chinen
A Testimony of God’s Faithfulness in Mililani Carol Miyashiro & Chris Iwamoto
When we reflect on what God has done in Mililani, our hearts are filled with awe. This journey has never been about our strength or strategy—it has always been about surrendering to God’s presence and trusting Him as He leads.
Our journey began in the fall of 2022 at a monthly intercessor gathering in Mililani. As we prayed for pastors and their families, we heard testimony of the manifest presence of Jesus moving powerfully in Nānākuli through Pastor Allen Cardines, who shared about the Ekklesia Excelerator. When Pastor Allen shared, faith ignited in our hearts. Four of us from Mililani jumped “all in,” believing God desired to release the same Kingdom life here.
In 2023 we began stewarding what we had received. We adopted the Neighborhood Security Watch/Citizens Patrol Team in partnership with HPD District 2. As we continued to do prayer walks over every school campus in Mililani, Carol met personally with each principal to listen and honor the needs of their schools. That spring, Pastor Cal facilitated Ekklesia Excelerator for leaders from Mililani/Central Oahu and from those seasons we dedicated prayer evangelism which took root in the community.
God continued to bear fruit. We partnered with Pacific Islands Bible Church to help establish the Good News Club at Kipapa Elementary, Mililani’s only Title I school. We discipled local apostolic teachers in the principles of God’s manifest presence and prayer evangelism, followed by additional seasons of the Ekklesia Excelerator.
In October 2024, on Yom Kippur, five women gathered on the mountain above Mililani to pray, repent, and declare God’s promises over the city. We believed His aloha would become love in action—and we saw it. That Christmas, with only weeks to prepare, we heard the Lord say, “Be the Light.” Four churches came together as one in the heart of Mililani Town Center, filling the city with worship, joy, and the tangible presence of Jesus.
In 2025, after Chris heard the Lord say clearly, “Build a boat and run,” we stepped out in faith to form a nonprofit. Though we were told the process would take six months, God approved it in six weeks. Transforming Communities With Aloha (TWCA) was born.
Throughout 2025, we watched God bring unity across the community—government leaders, schools, clubs, churches, and families working together. From Drive with Aloha, to after-school tutoring at Kipapa Elementary, to serving seniors and families throughout Mililani, we actively carried the Aloha Spirit of Jesus.
One of the greatest blessings God gave us personally during this season was walking through Transform U, A Roadmap to the Soul with HollyKem and Dean Sunseri. As God entrusted us with greater responsibility for our city, He lovingly invited us deeper. Through Transform U, God
showed us how the 3 voices within—the wounded child (the part of us that carries our wounds) and the protector (the part that protects us from our wounds) —can cause us to react, even when our hearts love Him. But when our true self, fully connected to the Holy Spirit, leads, we respond with love, wisdom, peace, and authority. God healed wounds we didn’t know we were still carrying and revealed that what He restores in us becomes a gift for those we serve. We learned that moving with God requires wholehearted surrender, dependence, and trust.
This revelation now shapes the heart of Transforming Communities With Aloha. We believe true transformation begins within—leaders living from wholeness, not exhaustion; from intimacy with God, not just responsibility. With that heart, we are honored to invite you to an upcoming conference hosted by Transforming Communities With Aloha, where we have invited HollyKem and Dean Sunseri to Hawaii on March 6-7 at Mililani’s Excel Church.
A Miracle of Sight and a Changed Life By Daniel Chinen
I believe, like many of you, we are in a season of healings and miracles. What seem like setbacks, are God’s set ups and our comeback stories of God at work. There are moments when God’s work is so clear that the only appropriate response is awe. My friend Bruce’s healing is one of those moments—a reminder that the same God who opened blind eyes in Scripture is still at work today. Here is a quick testimony in regards to my friend Bruce (who prayed to receive the Lord last year) of what God is doing at Kewalo Basin.
Bruce faced a situation that threatened his vision, something most of us fear deeply. Sight shapes how we move through the world; it gives independence, confidence, and connection. All of that came into question one morning after mistakenly squirting antiseptic solution into his eyes while putting on his eye contacts. Initially, Bruce felt no difference. So, he drove down to Kewalo Basin just like any other morning to go for a surf. While he was in the water, his sight turned from clear, to cloudy, to burning within minutes of paddling out to where the waves were. The image that came to mind while his eyes were burning was of an egg being fried on a hot pan. Bruce popped out his contacts and paddled in as fast as he could.
When the uncertainty became overwhelming, Bruce reached out in faith to Uncle Peter and me to stand with him in prayer.
We responded immediately, lifting Bruce before the Lord with confidence and compassion. We prayed specifically and persistently, trusting not in their own words but in God’s power to heal. Our prayers echoed the promise that when believers come into agreement, God is present and at work.
What makes this testimony even more remarkable is what the eye doctor said. Bruce was told that damaged eye cells do not repair or heal themselves. From a medical standpoint, restoration was not expected. There was no natural explanation for recovery, no treatment that could reverse the damage. And yet—God intervened.
Then came the miracle. Against medical expectation, Bruce’s eyes were healed within a matter of several days. What was damaged was restored. The eye doctor told him that he would be blind in one eye 76% initially. When Bruce went in again after several days, the doctor told him his eyesight was restored to 98%, which was more than his eye sight originally was before the incident! What once brought fear became a powerful testimony of God’s mercy and authority over the human body. This healing was not only physical; it strengthened Bruce’s faith and affirmed the power of intercessory prayer within the body of Christ.
Bruce’s story reminds us that God still does what medicine cannot. He invites us to pray boldly, believe courageously, and trust Him completely. May this testimony stir gratitude, deepen faith, and remind us that miracles are real—and our God still heals.
Bringing ALOHA to the Classroom: Joni’s Testimony from the TOW Global Conference
Hello TOW Hawaii Ohana.
My name is Joni. I give all glory, honor and praise to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing me with the opportunity to attend the Transform Our World Global Conference. It was an amazing experience! My goal for attending the conference was to build my relationship with God so that I could understand His plans for me. I wanted to partner with Holy Spirit to guide me so that I could teach in the Spirit and not so much in my own strength. I know God has plans for me to minister to my students as a Kindergarten Teacher but I didn’t quite know how to bring more of Him into my classroom. After hearing Pastor Allen Cardines talk about the core values of ALOHA, I understood that these are the Kingdom values that I can teach to express God’s love with actions.
I had a substitute the day before our Fall break and a very serious incident occurred. So I knew coming back the day after the conference was not going to be easy because I had 2 students who were worried, hurt, and scared. I also had parents who were not very happy about this incident. I have taught my students to have a sense of unity, belonging and to show love at home, at school and wherever they go. So the core values of Aloha were perfect to reinforce Kingdom values that I wanted to teach.
I also learned from Dean and HollyKem the importance of Spirit, Soul and Body. I knew I had to give a lesson on apologizing (no one admitted to the wrong doing) and forgiving. I usually make a heart and crumple it to show how hurtful actions and words cause the heart to be hurt. But when good things happen, the crumpled heart can feel better. I usually say that the hurt never goes away. However, right before I was going to say that, I heard God say “Don’t say that, it’s not true.” So I got another paper and drew another heart on it. Then I told them that when people apologize for their wrong doing and people forgive, the heart can begin to heal. Then your heart is able to give all the love away. Right after my lesson, the child who was hurt said that she chose to have her heart healed and was ready to forgive. The next day, we got a confession, an apology was made, and forgiveness given. The following week was Parent Teacher Conferences. The parents that were involved in this situation, were very grateful for the lesson taught. I was able to minister to them about the Aloha core values that I am teaching to my students. I was able to share the importance of gratitude and being able to pull out the treasures in their child to build them up to who they were meant to be. I am practicing to do this with my own daughters and extended family members too. After my conferences, I now know that my mission is to minister to my students and parents so that they can live the Kingdom values in their homes as well.
Last Friday, another teacher and I were able to pray for a teacher who was expecting. She had swollen feet and high blood pressure. A day later we found out she had to take maternity leave early and was on bed rest. I sent her some scriptures and worship songs. She downloaded the Bible App and used it during her very long labor and had worship music playing during her delivery. She was very grateful for the prayers and thanked me for helping to find her way back to God. Praise God for giving me a vision to work towards and for working through me to minister to everyone at my school, my own family and church family as well. Hallelujah!
When God Removed My Scarlet Letter - Leilani Delima
Every little girl dreams about her wedding day. I remember saving a special prayer that I would only say on that day to bless my marriage. We all want the dream wedding. That’s all we think about until that day arrives. The handsome groom. The wedding dress and, of course, the veil. Tradition teaches us that the veil symbolizes innocence and purity. Dream, dream, dream…
One of my fondest memories was going to church with my grandpa. I would spend the whole weekend with him and grandma. Saturday morning we’d go shopping for the perfect outfit for church the following morning. On this special weekend my grandpa took me to Sears and bought me a cute two piece pink and white culotte with Mary Jane shoes and white socks. Even at that young age I understood the reverence of being in the Lord’s house. I was so proud to enter church that Sunday morning with my grandpa and my new church outfit.
In 1985 my dad was ordained as an Assistant Pastor at Ka Mauna O Oliveta. He met my mom when he was a young Navy Sailor. In Hawaii it’s very common to have families share the duties of raising children. My mom was given the task of caring for her older sister’s third child. After a few weeks my aunty and uncle asked my mom to bring the baby over to spend the night at his parent’s house. It was on that very night that the new born baby boy would pass away from “crib death”. My mom was devastated and inconsolable. She would find comfort in my dad’s arms and months later found out she was pregnant.
My grandpa made sure that my dad and mom would get married before the baby came. Grandpa chose the day and made preparations for the luau. They got married on October 14 and my brother Danny came on November 21.
My dad had a hard life. He recalls often going to bed hungry. He was one of nine children. He would share with us the day Pearl Harbor was bombed. He was six years old. My dad, as well as his dad, Papa Naipo, both shared a love for alcohol. My dad struggled his entire adult life with this addiction until Jesus was introduced to him and he was finally free. We thank God everyday for Grandma Machado. She was the grandma and prophet at Ka Mauna O Oliveta that begged my dad to come to her church. After attending a few years, he gave his life to the Lord and gave up alcohol. My dad was a changed man. My mom, my brother, my sisters, and I all knew it.
Here’s my love story. It’s going to be quick, so don’t blink.
I met Kelly Boy in January of 1987. I was pregnant by June and we were to be married in November of that same year.
Telling my dad that I was pregnant was the hardest thing to do. My mom told me that she heard him crying that night. Disappointed. You bet. He was, but maybe the right description would be dad was heart broken. Our relationship lacked in so many ways. I wanted validation from him, but he wasn’t able to give it. He had high expectations from me, but I couldn’t live up to it. I remember our house being uncomfortably quiet during the next five months. Our wedding day couldn’t come quick enough.
I love seeing pictures of the Father of the bride walking down the aisle with his daughter smiling, maybe even laughing. That was not what I experienced on my wedding day.
My dad and I got into an argument earlier that day and he was mad at me, still. This is not how I dreamed or imagined my walk down the aisle would be or feel.
My dress was this beautiful white laced wedding gown with an 8 foot long train. It was everything I had imagined and more. The bridal stylist begged me to try on the veil. I insisted, “I won’t be wearing a veil.” She would try again, “maybe just a short one.” I finally told her, “I’m not wearing a veil. Not a long one or a short one.”
Hypocrite. I didn’t want to be a hypocrite. I wasn’t about to walk down the aisle of my church where my dad just got ordained Assistant Pastor and everyone knows I’m five months pregnant wearing a veil. Nobody had to put the Scarlet letter A on me. I could do it myself. I didn’t deserve to wear a veil because I was not a virgin.
The Lord restores scripture verse.
In 1999 I was asked to be a speaker at a women’s conference. My very first. I was honored and terrified. I gave a raw, heartfelt testimony. I think I cried the whole time. I was a mess. I remember seeing the pastor, who spoke after me, years later and asked the question that had been bugging me for years. “Was I supposed to have said everything I said that day?” I had never seen any pastor quite as passionate and out of control as I felt I was. She told me, “You brought forth a real word and that was what the women at that conference needed to hear.” Thank you God for pastors, who are able to comfort, support, and confirm the word of God in you.
It was at this conference that Kailua Pentecostal Church shared a skit of the ten virgins in the Bible. They looked beautiful all in white with short veils on and a candle lit in their hands. One of the participants later came up to me with a veil in her hand and she said, “I don’t know why, but God told me to give this to you.” I was floored. I was sobbing. What? Me? Why? The Lord spoke to my heart that day. He restores. He redeems. He removed my shame at the cross and today I get to wear my veil. Not because I am worthy to wear it, but because he suffered at Calvary and took my shame. Jesus made me worthy to wear a veil. The very next morning at church I was wearing, yes you guessed it, The Veil, but this time as a humble, beloved daughter of the king.
From Addiction to Countless Blessings! - Ken Kondo
When asked to share how God is transforming me and my Ohana with the Transform Our World Hawaii Ohana, reading how the LORD redeems the Kapihe Ohana from fear to freedom, and the restoration of love that Jesus blesses upon the De Lima Ohana; I’ve been praying to our Father over two weeks now to overcome this stronghold Satan has planted in my head that I’m not worthy, “Who am I to share my story?”, making every excuse being reluctant on where to start. Then, the LORD reminded me of the promise I made to Him 18 years ago, “I going do whatever You say no matter what,” dying of self and born new in Christ.
B.C.
Let me begin with how my promise came to be. My life before Christ was all about me as success came at an early age of 22. It was my senior year in college when I took my first hit smoking ice. With adrenaline pumping through my veins I aced my final exams, began my financial planning career training under Hawaii’s top producer, living large buying my first rental property in less than 12 months from starting my practice, and driving a Corvette. Residing on the slope of Punchbowl, I recall looking down from my redwood deck at my corner office in the Ala Moana Pacific Center, feeling invincible like Superman. Flying high on a dopamine rush, I found myself working until 3 AM thinking I was productive, often not sleeping for three days straight. As a result, I would shut down hard, waking up lost and lifeless, jonesing for my next hit to get up and function, starting this vicious cycle all over again. Crystal meth controlled 18 years of my life, no matter how hard I tried I would only go backwards hopeless, burning my life away, everything I worked hard for up in smoke.
I sought help and self-admitted to substance abuse treatment programs at Kahi Mohala, Hina Mauka, and Salvation Army ATS. After my 6th attempt for treatment, I attended my aftercare class on graduation day all high, the Hina Mauka counselor advised me not to come back, they cannot help me. My 7th time in treatment was when I found Jesus. Salvation Army offered Sunday Services in residential treatment with my first beginners Bible. Being the relapse king, I was 2 weeks away from graduating when I started the vicious cycle again.
It was after a 9 PM AA meeting when God spoke to me in the ocean at Kaimana Beach and asked me, “What’s changing?” As I was back floating looking up into heaven, I cried out to God, “I cannot, I give up! Help me! I promise I going do whatever You say no matter what.” Suddenly, all my guilt and shame were washed away when God revealed His countless blessings for me as I saw all the stars shining in the sky.
A.D.
By honoring my promise to God, He began my transformational growth by placing His Spirit and angels to guide me on my journey with Jesus, to answer His question “What’s changing?”
For me
A month after receiving my Clinical Discharge, my cousins invited me to their church. As a 40-year-old brand new believer at MGMC, the first thing God changed in me was His will be done not mine. I learned how to communicate to God through prayer, to receive His Word daily through SPA, to activate the Ekklesia Excelerator, and to share my faith with others. Thank You LORD for having me share my testimony with the church 17 years ago to overcome my ice addiction. The word of our testimony is a powerful tool to overcome strongholds, when we speak life by sharing what Jesus has done and continues to do in our lives.
For my Ohana
God also taught me I cannot give away what I no have, and when I give away what I have He makes room for even more. I cannot give His blessing if I no have His blessings. By the blood of the Lamb, I have a Constant Companion always there for me and working through me to accomplish things far greater than I can ever imagine. Thank You Holy Spirit! By the power of the Holy Spirit, I’m able to receive each star God showed me. The brightest star being my beautiful wife, Maryann. At our wedding, Pastor Cal quoted Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” Placing God first has transformed our marriage from alcoholism at night to starting our day with the Lord’s prayer in Marshallese and sharing KYLO (Keep Your Love On) For Couples. The power of prayer that Maryann and I share has brought transformation to our children as they seek the LORD.
Celebrating our 9 year anniversary this summer in Bryce Canyon, our youngest son Eddie called us in great need for prayer as Rainbow, his pregnant significant other, was rushed to the hospital in labor for what seemed to be eternity.
As we prayed together thanking the Lord for Eddie and Rainbow to become parents, we humbly asked that He be with them and the doctors to deliver their first son, our grandson baby To`a. What a blessing! We have come to realize by living and giving Aloha, our marriage, our parents, our children, our grandson, our Ohana are transformed as we receive and give His blessings.
For my Marketplace Ohana
Another star I received that God has brought full circle is the restoration of my financial planning practice as a partner of Ho`ea Wealth Advisory Group, transforming His marketplace as my ekklesia. God has planted His moral compass in Ho`ea. By the grace of God, I open the doors each day welcoming Jesus and the Holy Spirit in, E Komo Mai, to brighten our offices with His light and fill our day with His Aloha. The LORD has blessed me with a great team of disciples as we start each week praying for His will to be done and ending the week in prayer praising the LORD for all He has accomplished. Receiving the fruits of the Spirit, the LORD has blessed Ho`ea with a culture of Aloha as we are Ohana serving Ohana. I am grateful to shine the light of Jesus upon our group and clients, our Ohana.
My Vision & Prayer
My vision for Transformation is growing with God to become more like Jesus. Thank You Father for this abundant and amazing life. All that I am and all that I have is from You as I surrender myself, my pride, my doubts, my worries, my fears over to You; put You first; do whatever You say no matter what; and make the most of life living by faith through Jesus. Holy Spirit, come upon us and fill us with God’s love, Aloha Ke Akua, to be experienced and shared by all. Let us receive and give His blessing to those around us, making room for even more to be received and given; starting God’s virtuous cycle. Let Your light so shine before men, that they may see Your great works in us and glorify our Father which is in heaven. Because when one of us grows, we light the path for others; not just changing ourselves, but inspiring change in others. In Jesus name I pray.
Amen,
Ken Kondo
“We’re Not Going to Make It—Without Jesus”: A Story of Redemption, Restoration, and Radical Faith
By Leolani DeLima
Within the first year of our marriage, I knew something was wrong. The thought that ran through my head was clear and heavy: We’re not going to make it. But what I’ve come to learn—and what’s become the foundation of our story—is this: We’re not going to make it without Jesus.
One of the first times I truly cried out to God was in my son Kapena’s nursery. I dropped to my knees, overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. My prayer wasn’t eloquent—it was raw and desperate: “God, I remember someone at church saying You could help me. Well, here I am, and I need a whole lot of help.”
Like many women, I often internalized the blame. I thought maybe if I were a better wife, a better mom—if I were prettier, skinnier, wealthier—then maybe everything would be okay. I even tried bargaining with God: Make me enough, and maybe our marriage will survive.
But in His grace, God didn’t grant those wishes. Instead, He whispered something deeper: “If you’ll just follow Me.” That invitation, in 1988, changed the trajectory of our lives.
In January 1991, I committed to a weeklong fast with my church—14 hours a day of no food, no water, no distractions, just prayer and Scripture. As a young mom with a toddler, I was allowed to care for my son and tend to our home, but the fast marked a turning point. It was during that time of pule hamau (silent prayer) that I encountered God in a way that transformed me.
Later that year, we welcomed our second child, Kalena Ku. My husband had planned a special birthday dinner at Ruth’s Chris to celebrate my 26th birthday. Life felt full—on the outside. But before the entrees even arrived, he leaned forward and quietly confessed: “I’ve been hiding something from you for years. I’m a drug addict and I’ve been doing crystal meth.”
I was blindsided. Shocked. Heartbroken. That dinner wasn’t what I expected, but that confession was the key to freedom. Scripture says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16). And that’s exactly what happened. From that night on, my husband never touched drugs again. He’s been clean and sober for 34 years.
We were both ordained in 1995, and most days, we lived a good life—raising a family, serving in church. But there were undercurrents: unresolved anger, emotional outbursts, and a home culture where we often walked on eggshells. It became our “normal,” even though it was far from the peace God intended for us.
Everything came to a halt after our last child left the house. Suddenly it was quiet. Too quiet. My father, who had been living with us during his final months, had just passed. Our dog followed soon after. What had once been a home filled with life, music, and laughter was now heavy with grief and silence. I found myself asking: Lord, is this what You promised me all those years ago?
But I knew what had to be done. There was still one demon left to confront—and I needed backup. I prayed, “God, I’m going to need help. Send reinforcements.” Not long after, my husband got a call: breakfast with two pastors. At that meeting, Pastor Cal looked at him and simply said, “You’re stuck.”
That was seven years ago.
Since then, we’ve been on a journey of healing, truth, and grace. We’ve seen the hand of God restore every area of our lives. We now pray that same healing over our children—that they would experience the same love and restoration we’ve come to know.
Six years ago, we completed the Excelerator marriage program. It sparked a rhythm in our home: daily devotions together, open conversations, and a commitment to Scripture. It gave us a place to connect, to speak truth in love, and to pursue unity. Since then, we’ve read the entire Bible together every year—for five years straight. As Psalm 119:105 reminds us, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Jesus is, and will always be, the glue holding our marriage together. He’s carried us through our hardest years, and He’s the reason we can now look ahead with hope, gratitude, and faith.
God’s not done with our story—and He’s certainly not done with yours either.
From Control to Freedom! God truly redeemed our Ohana!
Like the prodigal son, I came to my senses.
I realized I was the cause of the disconnection, the fear, the resistance—and the reason my kids didn’t trust me. It wasn’t because of them. It was because of me.
I had put so much fear in them that they couldn’t feel safe around me. They didn’t want to come near me. And for the first time, I saw it: I was the source of fear in my home.
This awakening came through the Holy Spirit. It hit me hard—but it was also filled with love and grace. I wasn’t being judged. I was being awakened. I saw clearly that I was the problem behind so much pain.
But God didn’t leave me there.
He gave me confidence—not just to see the problem, but to know I could change. He said, “You’ve taken ownership of the problem. Now you can take ownership of the solution.”
I was a control freak, and I had to throw control out the door. But the Lord showed me: “Your problem isn’t control. It’s that you tried to control everyone except yourself. What you need is self-control.”
So that became my focus—exercising self-control in the Spirit, letting the Holy Spirit refine me, sanctify me.
But I also needed tools.
That’s where Loving Our Kids on Purpose and other resources from the Life Academy (The Silk’s) came in. I read a few books, did some training, and started applying the principles. They helped me take responsibility for myself, which opened the door to healing.
From there, I began to rebuild trust with my kids.
I shared with them what I was learning. I modeled it. I taught them the same principles, so they could live in freedom too. And that’s how God began to restore our relationships—beautifully, powerfully.
Behind the scenes, Becca was praying persistently for my freedom. She wasn’t the one on the front stage of this testimony, but she was in the trenches with the Lord, contending in intercession. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine us being where we are today—as a more healed and whole family—without her prayers. Her partnership in the Spirit made a way for breakthrough.
The fruit? Freedom in our whole family.
Because I started living in freedom, it began to spread. Now, as a family, we’ve made a commitment:
We will be honest with each other.
We will be respectful.
We will share our real emotions and thoughts—passionately, but with self-control.
Our priority is connection and freedom.
We will strengthen our relationships, go deeper, and protect the love we have from anything that could break it—including ourselves.
God truly redeemed our family—and it started with awakening me, and the faithful prayers of my wife who never gave up.
The Kapihe Ohana
Teila Kapihe Anae
I watched my dad transform as he surrendered to God—leading our family with humility and faith. That change reshaped our home and showed me the kind of wife, mother, and partner I hope to become. Together, he and my mom revealed the beauty of a Christ-centered marriage and the lasting legacy it can leave.
EJ Kapihe
The way that our family operates today is a perfect model for how I want my future family to operate. I have learned the necessity of having Christ as the center of our family. This family has showed me how to comfort others in their times of need, how to guide others when they are being led astray, and most of all, how to love others with a pure heart. Through my dad’s faithfulness and determination, God has used him as an amazing example of what a father should be.
Tia Kapihe
My dad’s transformation definitely changed our connection as a family and for me specifically I was able to learn the importance of honest communication which I feel is a key value for our family that helped us grow and connect. And even though they weren’t always the most “feel good” talks or easiest changes, they were definitely the most impactful. My dad played a huge role in shaping me into the person I want to become because his leadership by example.