Issue 17 | Summer 2025

ISSUE 17 | SUMMER 2025 | KAUAICHRISTIAN.ORG

2731 ALA KINOIKI • KOLOA, HI • 96756

Building the Kingdom Brick by Brick

the concept of our own lives, our service, and our

I have picked my favorite one to share with you. It

of the establishment of God’s eternal Kingdom:

There are a few versions around on the internet and goes like this: In 1675 the famous Christian architect

Christopher Wren was commissioned to rebuild Saint

Written by Dain Spore

I

Have you ever heard the story of the three brick layers?

Paul’s Cathedral in London after The Great Fire of 1666. was feeling pretty good about myself, until I went

Stepping into what would eventually be the girls’

“Look at me!” I thought, “I hope people notice and

on their hands and knees caulking the baseboards.

a simple question to three brick layers. “What are you

God from the fifth chapter of Amos “I hate, I despise,

working hard to feed my family,” the second offered, “I

exactly what He said, but I wouldn’t be surprised if

third answered, “I am a cathedral builder. And I am

to explore the rest of the construction project.

say ‘Wow! He can teach Scripture AND he knows

how to paint?’”. Because there I was, doing my small part to complete the building of the new Anchor

House Discipleship Center. When I say, “small part”, I am not exaggerating. When it comes to all things construction, Rick and I jokingly call ourselves

“The Cheech and Chong of builders”. The only

“skill” I possess in construction is painting. After Hurricane Iniki I worked for a Christian painting contractor (Agape Painting, how divine!) and

learned how to slop water-based acrylic over rotting wood. I thought I was pretty awesome until one day I said to a contractor friend “Painting is the only construction skill I

possess” and he replied, “Painting is NOT a construction skill.”

Whatever the case, there I was, all duded up in my painter clothes, and working a roller over the smooth, freshly primed

walls, and offering painting advice to anybody within

earshot. However, my selfcongratulatory expertise and do-gooder

feeling vanished like a morning mist on a July morning when I went to check out

how the other work crews were faring.

growth into Christian maturity, with the larger narrative

“You yourselves, like living stones are being built up

as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer

spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5, ESV)

dormitory, I was shocked to see Don and Lorrie, down

Five years into the massive project, he stopped to pose

Why was I shocked? Two reasons. First, to paraphrase

doing?” He asked. The first replied, “I am a brick layer,

I just love this idea that as we ourselves grow up, and

caulking or painting baseboard”. Well, that is not

am a builder. I am building the walls of a church.” The

purpose, the universal worship of our Lord Jesus

God felt that way. Have you ever caulked or painted

building the kingdom of God.”

baseboard? It is THE most miserable thing a painter can do. It is equal parts backbreaking and tedious.

If you have done it, right now you are nodding in agreement.

Secondly, Don, at least, is perhaps twenty years older than me, and I consider myself way too old for such taxing menial labor. “What are you guys doing?” I cried, with perhaps

more of a scolding tone than I intended.

They both blinked at me in silence for

beat, and then Don replied, “Getting this place ready for the next

generation”. “Couldn’t they find

anybody youn—” I stammered.

I stood there awkwardly

for a few seconds with my

half-completed sentence

hanging in the air until Don said, “If you look in the closet over there,

We are part of a much greater purpose, the universal worship of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The lesson of the story is fairly obvious. When we see

ourselves correctly in the grand Redemptive Narrative

into Christ (Eph 4), we are part of a much greater

Christ. It makes our every effort towards Him an act

of Holiness, surpassing even the efforts of the ancient priests of Israel. He calls us His “Holy priesthood”!

Imagine that. By this measure, even applying caulking to baseboard on a hot, humid morning on Kauai is an act of sacred duty.

This idea was really driven home about three days

ago, when we had the Anchor House 2025 graduation ceremony. Standing in front of us were 28 young,

faithful and energetic servants of The Lord. You could palpably sense their excitement to get out into the

world and begin a lifetime of building God’s Kingdom.

And let me tell you people, the Kingdom is in good hands! But while the presentation continued, and

the year’s recap video was playing, my eyes drifted

over to small corner of the room, and I caught myself looking at the baseboard. And it hit me like a ton of

bricks! Get it? Bricks! In that moment I could vividly see the direct connection between the efforts of Don and

Lorrie, doing their small part for God, and how it directly translates into the building of God’s Kingdom.

we killed about the

of God, our every effort is part of a much bigger vision

And like all good lessons, there is a built-in challenge

I’ve ever seen”.

or difficult for us. Instead, it is infused with meaning.

efforts for God, and the magnitude of His plan of

biggest centipede

(St. Paul’s Cathedral, London | Photo by Aaron Gilmore on Unsplash.com)

than the task before us. Then, no task is too menial

Additionally, and this what I love about Don and Lorrie, they see with clarity their position in the history of

the Kingdom of God. Their temporal, physical efforts

in helping the building of the Anchor House will have eternal, spiritual results that quite frankly are not

quantifiable to our thinking. Peter speaks of a similar

concept in the first letter that he wrote. He combines

for us. Do we see the connection between our small Redemption? What else can we do to be a part of

His plan? What bricks can we contribute? Well, since you asked (!). We would like to invite you, to use your bricklaying gift to support the efforts of the ministry at the Anchor House. Whilst the main building is

complete, we are currently raising funds to complete

the project. Specifically, we need to build a permanent SUMMER 2025 | 3

lecture hall to facilitate the instruction of God’s Word. In

down lay a few bricks or hammer a few nails. And

to pay the tuition. If you are looking for a place to put

authoritatively waving my painting roller around like

addition, there are always a few students who struggle your hand to the plow, or place your brick, we would

gratefully appreciate your financial support. And if you

live here on Kauai, and you are able, when construction begins on the new building, we invite to come on

don’t be surprised if you see me wandering around,

Moses with his staff in Midian. And don’t be surprised if

you see Don and Lorrie down on their hands and knees, humbling us all with their gift of baseboards!

My Cup Runneth Over

A View from an Anchor House Student - Part Two Written by Mieka Schneidereit In our last Issue we featured an article by Mieka, who at the time was a new student at the Anchor House

weighing in on what it was like to step into a brand new world from her home in Canada. This article is part two, written in the closing days of her experience at this nine-month school of the Bible.

W

ow. I can’t

have equipped me so well that my walk with God has

there are

just something that I grew up being taught to do, but

believe that

only two weeks left. I remember meeting these strangers in September and

become more genuine. My walk with God is now not one that is extremely personal to me. I have gained

arguably the most important thing a person can have: an active love relationship with my Heavenly Father

knowing that we had

One of the things that I really appreciate about this

lined up ahead of us

told that our year in particular has a knack for knowing

nine whole months to make memories

and grow closer to Jesus. I can’t even wrap my head

around the fact that those nine months have passed! I

year’s class is the amount of fun we have. I have been how to have a fun time. The joy of the Lord has been

extremely apparent in this last season of my life as it

has been overflowing from the people around me and

But as someone really special to me said recently,

and for all God has been working within me. I have all

share this raw and genuine joy is because everyone

greenhouse that our branches start cramming against

battlefield and find the lost people.

filling my heart. I believe that a big reason why we can

there comes a time where we’ve grown so much in this

here is comfortable to fully be themselves in Christ.

the glass roof. I remember one of our last speakers

love, and testimonies of what God has taught me.

That kind of vulnerability is one that only a group of

us. I thought about it, looked around the room, and

displayed God’s providence and loving kindness for

Napali Coast as a class, or creating a hilarious “fake

this whole year and was having trouble thinking of

and I have really felt God having fun alongside us. I am

praying for God to send me lost people. How blessed

ever. I’ve heard it been said that a year at the Anchor

the gospel after a year at The Anchor House. My cup

say first hand that that statement is so true.

pours, and I’m ready to direct this overflowing stream

have two journals, both full of entries from September to now.

Within those entries are stories of adventure, sorrow, This year has completely edified my faith and has

me. I am so grateful for the friendships I’ve made here

and for the hours of lectures I’ve engaged with. The list of speakers that came to teach us has given me such powerful skills to understand God’s word and to know

what it looks like to follow Him. Just like how attending frequent violin lessons make you play smoother and

perform more naturally, all the Anchor House lectures 4 | SUMMER 2025

I need. I have Jesus. Now it’s time to walk out into the

encouraged us to think about the lost people around

A Special Note: Every year we have students who can’t

Christ followers can create. Whether it’s exploring the

realized I have been surrounded by Christ-like people

and every year we pretty much drain our scholarship

wedding” party, we experience the Lord’s joy together

lost people in my life. I found myself in that class

walking out of this year feeling spiritually fuller than

am I to feel so well equipped and eager to spread

House acts like a “greenhouse” for our faith and I can

truly is “runneth-ing” over from the gracious hand who to thirsty people. I am so grateful for this past year

swing the full tuition for a year at the Anchor House

fund helping out students in some way. If empowering a future student who is struggling financially is of interest to you please consider

contributing to our Anchor House Scholarship Fund.

Scan the QR code to donate SUMMER 2025 | 5

Here is what I’ve observed about grace. While outside

who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and

predict a diligent follower. I’ve known an individual

few who find it.”

influences are impactful, they don’t necessarily

Grace in the Journey Written by Jacqueline Hoban, Director of KCF Keiki Preschool

whose family left the Catholic church embracing

atheism instead after the mother became angry at

So, what should we do? Families should give their

and college, the five siblings emulated their mom and

and discover the unmerited grace God extends to

the priest’s message one day. Throughout high school lived careless lives ignoring the possibility of a loving Father in Heaven. Two of those children eventually returned to their faith. Three are still searching for

spiritual meaning and also admit they haven’t yet found it. Who can tell what may happen in their

future? I’ve also watched lovely families faithfully attend church, encourage their teenagers to join

youth group, lead Godly lives that made it easy to

T

conclude that following Christ made sense, and yet he end of every school year is both joy-filled

that every head was bowed and hands folded. As a

of the love and truth we have poured into the

the religious predilections of my students, so I left

and sobering. I worry about the sustainability

preschoolers. Will they continue to seek the One who loves them most?

Having been involved in education for almost a half

public school teacher, I wasn’t allowed to influence

Moses and his buddies alone for the rest of the year.

Miraculously, no one ever questioned the daily ritual of Mrs. Hoban’s kindergarten class.

century in one way or another I’ve had the privilege of

I often wonder about those littles who are likely parents

are a few examples of what I’ve noticed and why my

them in prayer. Is it possible that they’re still living a life

observing firsthand the outcomes of several. Herein

dearest hope for all children, no matter how young or

old, is that they will know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

I began teaching professionally as a kindergarten

teacher in an inner-city public school. As one of only a handful of caucasian staff members I was under

scrutiny. Part of my day included eating lunch with my

or even grandparents by now. On occasion I remember for Christ. What compels a child to continue on his or her journey with Christ?

In Ephesians 2:8-9, it says: “For by grace you have

been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

class in the big lunchroom with the older students and

In a popular self-help book, The Road Less Traveled,

and conflicted about how to function as a woman of

powerful force that influences human lives. The author

other teachers. I was a fairly new Christian back then

faith in a secular environment. I wanted to honor God

and keep the peace. My compromise was to take a few seconds to silently pray for the children and the food.

With eyes wide open I would just briefly fix my gaze on the meal and wordlessly thank God. One fateful day

I was startled from my moment when I heard Moses,

the grandson of a Baptist preacher, loudly pronounce, “In Jesus name, Amen.” I looked up just in time to see 6 | SUMMER 2025

a secular understanding of grace is explained as a

describes grace as something that originates outside conscious awareness and insists it is a critical aspect of spiritual growth. He explains embracing grace

involves acknowledging the limits of relying on one’s own efforts, especially when facing challenges or

resistance. It is sad that the author does not point the reader to Christ.

difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are

children the best opportunity to seek the truth

everyone who seeks Him. The imperative that Jesus gave to Peter also applies to parents in relationship to our children, “Feed my lambs.” (John 21:15) As

members of God’s family, we should all take care

to teach them the truth that Jesus loves them and

that He proved this when he died and rose again! All this done in the hope that they will find the road less traveled.

perhaps one or more of their progeny fell away. Will they eventually return? They have

a lifetime warranty that God loves them, and it is a well-hoped-for expectation that they might.

I’ve known several families who

never attended or only infrequently attended church, and yet their children clearly loved the Lord,

speaking of Him with reverence and awe. And as in the case of

the other examples, the outcome of their early faith either became unclear or very obvious as they grew older. However, one of my

pastors was the child of such a

family who chose staying home on

their sabbath day, never said grace or prayed for guidance, and yet my pastor discovered the Lord when

he was a youth and never turned away. That man is in his eighties now.

Matthew 7 states, “Enter by the

narrow gate; for wide is the gate

and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many

SUMMER 2025 | 7

Get in the Game Written by Kyler Schmidt

I

am going to start off by painting a picture for you,

one that many of us are familiar with in one way or another:

Imagine you decide to go out for a sports team- you prepare, spend time practicing, eat healthy, and

learn new techniques as tryouts fly by. The results are

posted, and you finally made the team! Now, you have the jersey, shoes, team logo and you go to practice every day. The first couple weeks of competition

roll by, and you find yourself noticing that you end

up spending every game on the bench. You say to

How do we take the ball and run with our Christian faith?

Over the last few months, this question has slowly

started creeping into my mind, as I have begun to

notice a pattern in the KCF middle school ministry. In

my experience as a youth pastor, I would submit that the answer to an active and flourishing faith isn’t a

profound and cerebral mystery. Rather, in my opinion,

the answer lies in a humble heart that’s willing to jump in and fill a need.

yourself, “It’s okay I’m the ‘new guy’.”

I have been blessed to witness many examples of

But eventually, the whole year passes and you are still

as the middle school leader. At Edge, we have leaders

on the bench and without a single second of game

time. But you’re comfortable enough and before you

know it, two, then three years pass without any game

time. Finally, you get fed up. There has to be more than this. And you’re right, the whole point of the team, the practice, the research and the gear is to get into the

game! The same principle can be said for our spiritual lives. As Christians, we’re not called to just sit on the

bench and be glorified spectators. God calls us to be

participants in His Kingdom team. We’re called to get in the game!

Too many times, Bible believing Christians express that they wish their faith was more alive - not realizing they have become too comfortable with sitting the bench.

So how do we as Christians leave the complacency of the sidelines and jump into the action of the game?

8 | SUMMER 2025

what a game-winning faith looks like during my time

Every leader serves in a beautiful and unique way,

Because of these game-active leaders, lives are being

Just like a sports team has different positions, God

been willing to jump in and answer the Lord’s call, we

according to the way God has gifted each person.

has given each of his followers a unique way to jump

in and build His Kingdom! For some of my leaders, this looks like driving a van full of middle school kids, for some it’s walking the perimeter of the group acting

as security, still for others it’s leading one of the small

game, as 1 Peter 4:10-11 states, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as

faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” Again, in Mark 10:45 we are told, “For even the

Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and

to give His life as a ransom for many.” In this case, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, these Edge leaders are called to serve middle school students of Kauai.

power of Christ. This type of change and growth just doesn’t happen from the bench.

strategically running the ball down the field for Christ.

my hope is that as Christians you and I would answer

one of these examples, they are actively in the game,

Not only are they living out God’s purpose for their lives and faith, but they often will tell me that they are the

each person into the game in different positions, and the call to get off the bench and get into the game.

ones who feel blessed while serving.

It’s Different Here

in to serve where they are needed with the youth. What

leaders are in the game. Scripture calls us to be in the

be baptized, and their lives transformed by the saving

It’s been my privilege to observe the way our God calls

schoolers to parents, and even grandparents jumping

it’s easy and comfortable to sit on the sidelines, these

have seen many middle schoolers come to the Lord,

groups, or even supporting financially. But in each

of all different ages, ranging from enthusiastic high

I admire and respect about all of them is that, while

changed. Because regular, everyday Christians have

Written by Dean Smith

K

auai is an amazing place. However, if you’re

“It’s Different Here!” can be relevant to many things on

commuting or just running errands, you will

of the foliage, mountains, beaches and rivers. The

going to spend time driving and exploring,

find yourself sitting in traffic quite often. I cover a lot

of territory on Island, literally from Waimea to Kilauea regularly. Time in grid-lock gives me the opportunity

to pray, listen to music, take in the scenery and notice bumper stickers. Bumper stickers can be humorous, offensive, meaningful, ridiculous and/or thoughtprovoking. In fact, I have come up with a bumper

sticker of my own that could grace the back of any island vehicle; “It’s Different Here!”

the “Garden Island”. It can be descriptive of the beauty colors and rainbows, daytime skies and starry nights, and of course the spirit of “aloha” are different here.

Something I’ve learned recently is that working in ministry and serving Jesus is “different here” on

Kauai, too. The lessons I’ve learned have left me with the deepest admiration for God’s people who have faithfully served Jesus and the Church on Kauai for many years.

SUMMER 2025 | 9

Kids Leading Kids Written by Leah Enns

R

ecruiting volunteers is always the trickiest

the K-5th grade range that would be attending the

church. Training and retaining those volunteers

so I was hoping I’d be covered on both aspects.

part of Kid’s Ministry, or really any ministry in a

is probably equally as difficult, especially if the

programming you run specializes in getting people and students outside of their comfort zone.

Luckily, we have some awesome, tenured Sunday School teachers — adults with years of teaching

experience and numerous tools in their tool belt for

wrangling in energetic kiddos. They do a wonderful job, Ministry on Kauai is not for the faint of heart, impatient or servants needing to personally reap the harvest of

their efforts. It is for those committed to knowing Jesus, loving others as He modeled, and introducing Him to others, whether the recipients remain on Island, are just visiting for their trip of a lifetime, or reside here

briefly only to move off Island to distant reaches of

the planet. The fruit of the seed planted here is often

harvested far away. Sometimes we get to hear results, often not. This can take its toll on Jesus’ servants in a place like Kauai.

On a recent Sunday, I stood briefly at the back of the sanctuary of Kauai Christian Fellowship North Shore

as we began the worship time. It struck me that I only knew the names of or even recognized about half of those in attendance! This is explainable. Ministry is

“different here”. The Church recently said “goodbye”

to some regular attending young families who moved away to seize opportunities for their future elsewhere.

Several of our “snow birds” who attend annually for three to six months during the winter season have

recently returned to their summer residences. Anchor House and Makanalani young people leave annually

and quarterly. Each week a significant percentage of

our attendees are tourists who choose to invest a part

make up a wonderful and valued collection of folk who come to worship, hear the Word of God and

fellowship, even if sometimes for just one day. “It’s

different here” because the ministry is not necessarily pouring into people who will remain and help to build a “megachurch” on this tiny rock in the mid-pacific.

Rather, the ministry can be characterized by planting seeds, watering, enriching the soil for them to leave

and be harvested elsewhere! It is gut-wrenching to

love people and to have to say “goodbye” redundantly.

The solution to joyfully sustaining ministry here, and

anywhere, is to focus on knowing Jesus and making

Him known to others; no matter who they are, where they’re from or where they may be going. Watching

people “passing through”, each on their own journey has made it clear that ministry is focusing on Jesus,

sharing His truth , loving others, and doing what I can to help them grow while I have the opportunity. I am

our schedule of serving on Sundays and their extra help during special events.

What’s been even more amazing to me, however, is

the appearance and willingness of younger volunteers who are barely in high school yet!

One Sunday, a middle schooler approached me and asked if he could help with our 4th and 5th grade special event, Club 45, where I knew his sibling

attended. I wasn’t sure what the dynamic would be

with siblings that close in age together, so I told him no, but said he could help out at Kids Night Out — a

one night event with a wider age range, Kindergarten through 5th graders. It inspired me to open up

What a night it was! Those 6 helpers, from 7th to 9th

grade, worked so diligently and did any and every task I threw at them. They single handedly baked all of the

personal pan pizzas and dessert we served to over 30

kids, assisted and co-led the smaller break out groups with a supervising adult, set up games, and spurred

on the kids in all things fun. The sibling dynamics that I was worried about were unfounded. In fact, that same original volunteer excelled at leading the 4th and

5th graders in their break out group, keeping them

captivated and engaged even during the down times.

Since that Kids Night, I’ve had high schoolers revamp the upstairs, 7th graders help at Club 45, 6th graders serve in the toddler room, and 4th and 5th graders assist with the kids sessions at Family Camp. They

have big hearts for service for the Lord and bring so much joy and exuberance when working with the

younger kids. It’s a big blessing and encouragement to

me. I can’t wait to keep working with their potential and see them grow into tenured teachers with tons of tools in their tool belt. Kid’s Min needs them!

volunteering for the event up to any middle school or older kid who was interested in helping. I ended up

getting 6 helpers — most of whom had siblings within

training myself to take joy, not just in the harvest, but in the moments, the conversations, the relationships, the stories, and ministries right here, right now. Maybe, it’s not so different here. After all, each and every one of

us is “just passing through” on our way to our Heavenly destination.

of their Sunday on Kauai at KCF.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the

These amazing people from all over the world

up.” Galatians 6:9

10 | SUMMER 2025

and I’ve been so grateful for their consistency within

event. This was in addition to a solid crew of adults too,

proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give

SUMMER 2025 | 11

Helping the Penny Drop Written by Nate Scribner

O

n any given Sunday morning at 6AM, four to

affable, fun-loving students asked me if he could

loading up in a large, white van, some with

I said.

ten Anchor House students and staff will be

surfboards, others with guitars, to make the one hour

share a story about his weekend with me. “Of course,”

drive from the Anchor House on the south side of Kauai

“I went north to drop off the worship team with Pippin

Kilauea on the north side of Kauai. In the early hours

listening to a sermon on Genesis 15, you know, the

to our sister Kauai Christian Fellowship campus in

at the Anchor House, they will be rubbing shoulders in

the bathrooms, hallways and kitchen with another five or six students who are getting dressed and making coffee before they walk 5 minutes down the path to serve in various ways at our south side campus as well.

To say, “Yes,” in going north means much of your

on Sunday,” he said, “And on the drive up, I was

part where God has Abraham divide up the animal

pieces and walk through them. And the speaker was

talking about how because the covenant was broken

between us and God, that God had to become mortal and be ripped apart like those animals to save us.

And I was just thinking about that the whole way up. I was thinking about the cross.”

Sunday will be spent traveling and serving. And by

“We dropped off the worship team at the church,” he

craving a nap. But, for some students and staff, the

and I went to check the waves. I have never seen

the time you get back, it might be 1PM and you’ll be journey north also means the possibility of checking

the surf in Hanalei before or after service, and Hanalei is among the most magical places on the island, and dare I say, the world.

For those who are awake enough to enjoy it, the

journey north often begins with some great moments.

continued, “And we had an hour and half so Pippin

anything more beautiful in my life. The sun was rising over the mountains. The water was sheet glass. We started surfing and catching waves and having a

ton of fun. I was sitting there in the water and I just couldn’t believe that the God who made all of this, would die…for me. He didn’t have to do that.”

As you drive up the eastern portion of the island

As a leader at the Anchor House, I have no idea when

is often the case that it is rising amidst a sky full of

Bible classes 17 hours a week and serving in ministry 5

through Lihue and Kapa’a, the sun is rising and it

clouds lit up with shades of red, orange, pink, blue and yellow. You have the morning’s worship setlist playing in your headphones or on the car speakers. It’s not a

difficult stretch to hear the singers sing, “God is great,” “The battle belongs to the Lord,” and “If the oceans roar Your praises, so will I,” and have a moment of

the penny will drop for someone. These students are in - 10 hours a week. We do short Bible teachings at night.

Kelson has been in his personal time, reading the Bible

straight through since September. A few weeks ago, he finished the New Testament. The question I am always asking is, how do I help the penny drop for someone?

pause, peace and comfort in worship.

This has been one of our most fun-loving classes at

The power, majesty, and glory of God are on full

camping trip, I had my clothes stolen from me while I

display here on Kauai. The more difficult revelation is that this God actually loves me and cares about me.

On a Tuesday morning, Kelson Evans, one of our more 12 | SUMMER 2025

the Anchor House. A week ago, at a boys overnight

was taking a shower. Before that while playing ultimate frisbee, the same boy that stole my clothes, had been sneaking around trying to “pants” (remove the shorts,

but hopefully not the underwear/boxers, but

Ghostbusters, Michael Jackson, you never knew for

guys when they were not paying attention. Needless

came to lunch on Tuesdays. For some reason, our cook

sometimes they do get the whole thing) from the other to say, you always have to be on your guard whenever you’re around this guy. This same guy, earlier in the

year, filled paper cups full of shaving cream, pinched

the tops of the cups until they were flat, squeezed the

sure what you were getting yourself into when you

decided to split them up. Not sure if it had anything

to do with them getting distracted with choreography practice during meal prep.

flat tops under the girls’ closed bedroom doors and

The fact is that these are eighteen to twenty year old

shaving cream explosions throughout the rooms. The

months of their young lives at Bible school. For some of

then stomped on the other end of the cups, sending

video of this has some entertaining screams. The girls

got the boys back by planting gravel in all of their beds and stealing only their left shoes. After which the boys,

unscrewed all of the toilet seats in the girls’ bathrooms and hid them.

I’ve seen some very strange things as well. I’ve seen

young adults who have made the decision to spend 9

them, they are coming out of situations immense pain and trauma. What they have taught me this year can be summed up in the words of one of our students,

“Some of the times I feel closest to Jesus are when I am having fun in His community and His creation.”

Laughter is good medicine.

guys trying to light their farts on fire before, but this

Many young adults are caught up in a lie that goes

of his girlfriend. “What do you see in him?” I asked her.

boring and terrible.” No. It’s the opposite. Jesus said,

year was the first time I saw a guy try to do that in front Joking a bit of course. They do make a fine couple.

Every day there are students who are tasked with making meal preparations. This year, for the first

time, we had a duo that practiced and performed

a song and dance for 3-5 minutes every time it was

their turn to present lunch to the school. I didn’t know if I should be proud or embarrassed in front of our

something like this, “If I follow Jesus, my life will get “I came that they might have life, and life to the

fullest.” So, what can I do to help the penny drop for

these guys? What can you do? Go to Walmart and buy 30 cans of shaving cream, and pass them out. Pack

up the car and take some of them surfing. Take them hiking…in a word, Jesus wants me to have more fun, and I think he wants you to do so as well.

doctorate-holding, theologically giant guest speakers.

SUMMER 2025 | 13

Maria

Written by Tony Leair

E

It took a lot of effort on her part to get all the details

Another beautiful part of the story is that we had a

the island, and boy are we glad that she did.

school girls. This family completely separate of

together for her to make a life past Anchor House on

very ministry throughout the world could use a

To continue on with this train analogy, I like to think

On a typical week you will find Maria not only driving

is consistent and hard-working, someone that

allows the direction to be set by the rails or God. They

hanging out on youth nights (she does 3 a week) but

God’s direction for the world.

checking in and reading the Bible together. (And

Maria. Someone who serves without expectation,

leads well, and is very talented. She has become an

important pillar of the youth ministries of our church and we are seeing tons of fruit from her efforts.

that the youth pastor puts in their power and effort, but

Vans (even the North Shore van on Tuesday nights!) or

are just a muscle to be applied in partnership with

also getting together with the girls on the weekends

Anyway, getting away from the train bunny hole,

leading worship on some Sunday mornings!)

Maria is an incredible leader that works with the youth

Recently, one of the girls that Maria has been picking

same direction.

baptized Easter morning! Praise God for the fruit of the

course there are cabooses. The thing that makes the

Maria came to us from Florida and graduated Anchor

It is so exciting for me to see someone like Maria grab

always loved watching trains as a kid who got stuck on

ministry during her year. She didn’t feel that God

church. Maria does not get paid to do what she does,

KCF and stepped into an additional youth ministry

ministry here. She is not necessarily the head of the

job at Keokis serving tables and found a place to live in

facets to the group, and she is absolutely leading

I always like the illustration of a train in ministry.

A train has different types of cars on the tracks. There are boxcars, flatcars, tank cars, hopper cars and of train actually go is the train engine or locomotive. I

one side of the road as they passed by, and I’ll never

forget the fascination of seeing multiple locomotives all at the front of a very long train. I’m not sure if only one of the locomotives is pulling or if it was getting

assistance from the other ones at the front of the train, but I know in youth ministry the more locomotives that pull in the same direction the better.

14 | SUMMER 2025

ministry. She makes my job easier, and pulls in the

up for church on Sunday mornings decided to get ministry.

donation given toward supporting ministry of high

knowing what Maria was up to felt lead to give toward the girls of our high school youth ministry. It is the

perfect time to add fuel to the fire, and we are going

to have a high school girls trip going out in July led by Maria and some of the other women that volunteer with the teens.

I can’t write this story without giving a special shout out to all of my volunteer staff that shows up and

works so hard on behalf of the teens. There are many

stories to tell with each of the lives that give their time away. They are additional locomotives that pull in the

direction God asks us to, and each of them shares the

House in May 2024 where she interned with youth

onto the great commission and practice it in the local

was done with her working with the youth ministry at

in fact, she works in order to support herself doing

Thank you God for Maria, and for leading us into the

internship after her time at Anchor House. She got a

youth ministry, but her leadership is adding different

process of partnership both with God and with one

order to set herself up to continue to serve the youth of

those as she follows the Lord.

burden for the teens of Kauai.

great commission for the world. It is an amazing another.

Kauai.

SUMMER 2025 | 15

Kauai Christian Fellowship 2731 Ala Kinoiki Koloa, Hawaii 96756

Good old fashioned Fatherly and Godly advice by two Dads on raising decent kids.

Available through Kauai Christian Fellowship – $15