Kapa‘a Missionary Church, located across the fire station in Waipouli, was founded in 1952 by two women missionaries who traveled to Hawai‘i from Fort Wayne, Ind.
They founded churches in Kapa‘a and Koloa, and traveled around Hawai‘i to help start other churches. In the 1980s Kapa‘a Missionary published a book about their history called “The Wahine Firebug.” Senior Pastor Ed Terui and wife Jan, who retired in October 2003 after 39 years of service, were among the first members.
As children they attended where the church was originally set up at a building behind Samuel Mahelona Hospital. The Teruis are currently serving at Kalaheo Missionary Church, which is seeking a new pastor.
The main emphasis of the Missionary Church of the U.S.A. is spreading the word of God and missions to other communities around the country and the world.
In February, a team traveled to Thailand for several weeks to build a parsonage and medical aid facility. The year before they built an orphanage.
Next winter another group plans to go to Thailand again for a building trip. Another group went to the Philippines to do similar works.
Something for the whole family On a typical Wednesday evening, passersby are sure to notice the cheering and music and the dozens of cars lined up in and around the parking lot. It may be considered an odd night to hold church activities (aren’t they usually on Sundays?) but Kapa‘a Missionary Church is involving all their members and churchgoers with Family Night, which was instituted early this year.
About 50 adults usually meet in the sanctuary where they follow “Worship and the Word,” verse-by-verse lessons from books of the Bible, complete with photocopied worksheets and a computer slide show. And another 60 to 100 youth in grades 7 through college share testimonies — most recently, stories of summer Bible camp. Younger boys and girls hear motivational talks, learn crafts or skills they can use at home, or put into practice a Christian lesson. There’s also child care for infants and toddlers.
“We want to have something that will minister to every family member,” Randolph said.
Teens take a cue from youth pastors Jason and Leah Brown, who share their love of Christ in a variety of ways, Randolph explained – just being friends, taking them on camps, with Bible studies, “lots of food” and involving themselves in their lives.
“You can shout about the ice epidemic or you can do something good. You can either shout at the darkness or turn on the light, and the light is Jesus. And that’s what they’re doing,” Randolph added.
Jason was born and raised in Waimea, and was a professional surfer with the Kauai Classic team. Leah is the daughter of Leroy and Cindy Metzger who lead Hope Chapel in Po‘ipu. The couple have four children.
They started with Kapa‘a Missionary Church in February.
Akua Keiki or “God’s Kidz” is for kids up to sixth grade.
Next month, church leaders will be taking the boys camping and the girls on an overnighter. “We want to build character into our children in a positive and fun way,” Randolph said.
“Kapa‘a Missionary is about loving God and living aloha.
That’s what our purpose is here: to know Jesus Christ and make him known,” said Stacie Victorino, the church’s office manager and member for more than 20 years.
More than 180,000 people in more than 34 countries belong to the Missionary Church. There are nearly 400 congregations with 11 districts and 4 mission districts in the United States.
The Missionary Church came into existence as a result of the “spiritual revivals” that swept across North America in the late 19th century. “The evangelistic fervor continued through an aggressive program of missionary activity,” church leaders stated.
Pastor Mark takes a closer look “What’s on my heart is that Jesus was authentic and his ministry was very real and relatable to,” said the Rev. Mark Randolph, who most often goes by “Pastor Mark.” He and wife Kelly have three sons, Samuel, 13, Jeremy, 11, and Benjamin, 7.
Randolph, who grew up in the church (Presbyterian), said he couldn’t relate to the lessons. The road from being Mark to “Pastor Mark” was as such: “Screw up your life and let God put it back together.” “I walked away for a few years of rebellious living and that’s when God put my life back together. it was a no-brainer for me, I wanted to see God do the same for other people,” he said.
He grew up all over California, lived for a few years in Oregon and attended Capital Bible College in Sacramento, where he “studied pastoral theology and majored in God.” He started in youth ministry, then pastored in Pleasantville, Calif. for about seven years. He moved to Hawai‘i in 1999. spent a year on Maui, and moved here to Kaua‘i in 2001.
On filling the shoes of the Rev.
Ed Terui — “I don’t even attempt to fill them. I just got new shoes.
He is a great man and did an outstanding job with this church and made a difference in this community,” he said. “It’s a huge honor to take the reins of this church.” He went on to credit the members for their devotion and commitment over the years.
“These are the greatest people in the world,” Randolph said of his congregation. “They really are. We’re just love what God is doing in peoples lives and we love this island and we’re proud to be part of what He’s doing.” The unmistakable sign at the front of the church often displays witty sayings, or are “promos” for that week’s sermon.
They just finished up the “reality series.” John Bolling, who was an associate pastor for many years, used to come up with the words.
Now, they just all put their heads together, Pastor Mark said.
“When you’re driving down the road and you’re stuck in traffic, it’s something to life your spirits,” he said.
Pastor Mark is also getting into radio. In his daily 60-second “A Closer Look” spots on Island Radio 98.9 FM at 1 p.m., he talks about trust, confidence, selfworth and other topics. “I’m trying to encourage people. But there really is no encouragement that lasts other than through God,” he said.
In addition to Family Night on Wednesdays, Kapa‘a Missionary Church has Sunday services at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., Sunday school for all ages and infant care. The church also operates a preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds; and women’s and men’s ministries.
