More Than a Missions Trip in Paradise

written by Erica Baldwin, Younger Adults leader and missions trip member

Warned that Hawaii Kai was a “church planting graveyard,” Pastor Rafael Soto and his wife, Cara, were determined to faithfully follow God’s call to reach its people with the hope of Jesus Christ. 

Now approaching its 10-year anniversary, Kai Point Baptist Church is a testament to God’s power in sustaining the ministry.

Fourteen members of Friendship Baptist Church’s college-age group just returned from a week in Hawaii Kai, assisting Pastor Soto and his family as they prepare for the church’s anniversary celebration on August 16. 

“Wherever God calls you, He will always enable and equip you to do what He wants you to do,” Pastor Soto told the mission team.

“The view is amazing as you watch God provide.”

No doubt Hawaii is an awe-inspiring paradise, complete with mountains, beaches, and lush, colorful landscapes.

Hawaii Kai, located on the eastern coast of Oahu about 25 minutes from the capital city of Honolulu, is an upscale, white-collar suburb known for its beaches, water sports, scenic hikes, and family-friendly feel.

“I always knew God wanted me to start a church,” shared Pastor Soto, who was born and raised on the other side of the island. Though just an hour apart, he said the island communities feel like two different cultures.

After earning his degree and five years of ministry training at Cara’s home church in Woodbridge, Virginia, the Sotos headed to Hawaii in 2016.

Hawaii Kai is a melting pot of locals and transient military personnel, retirees, and people working hard to afford the high cost of living. The area has strong Catholic, Mormon, and charismatic religious influences, plus people seeking personal fulfillment from the island’s beauty and recreational opportunities.

Many people have no room for God, shared Pastor Soto, including commitment to a local church body.

Friendship from the Mainland

The Sotos, along with their six children (ages 2.5 months to 12 years old), enthusiastically welcomed Friendship’s team from 4,800 miles away. Pastor Soto admitted church planting can be lonely, and the help and fellowship from a supporting church was received with open arms. 

In preparation for the 10-year anniversary, the FBC missions team helped deep clean the church sanctuary from carpets and chairs to dry wall repair and new ceiling tiles. The group split tasks, with some applying fresh paint in the children’s room and adjacent ministry-led coffee shop, which serves as a Gospel outreach for the church. 

The young adults also covered neighborhoods across the valley, passing out thousands of invitations to the August 16 anniversary service and lunch. Plus the team led two Sunday morning services, including special music, testimonies, sermons by Pastor Bob DeAngelo, and providing children’s church programs and nursery coverage. 

Friendship’s group joined the Sotos for their in-home Thursday night Bible study with church members. Other projects included detailing the missionaries’ cars and helping in the coffee shop behind the counter.

“There is such a spiritual need here, and Kai Point Baptist is such a light in the community,” said FBC team member Olivia Barrows.

Bonds were formed quickly as the Soto family joyfully joined the FBC team all week. The family seemed tireless as they worked and eagerly showed off their beautiful island, including scenic hikes, beaches, and tasty local food.

“I loved seeing unity in Christ with other Christians,” said Elaina Willis. “How good our God is, whether it’s painting a mural or jumping off a cliff in Hawaii.”

Evan Bryant said he enjoyed how God used the team’s different gifts and skills like music, baking, painting, and more.

“I loved seeing the joy of Christ through the Soto family, even on a 10-hour day,” added Anna DeAngelo. “Their church was also so friendly.”

“It was eye opening to see the mix of cultures and religions in Hawaii and see the big spiritual need here,” said Thi Nguyen. Becoming a Christian while a student at FCS, Thi shared her testimony of coming to Christ from a Buddhist household. She’s praying for God to work in those she met who were moved by her salvation story, including a woman from her hometown in Vietnam who attended the service at Kai Point.

Missions in Paradise

The love shared between the Friendship team, the Soto family, and their church will not be forgotten. 

“It’s one thing to read a ministry update, but to actually be here and see their ministry firsthand — we were leaving part of our hearts there,” noted Kelly DeAngelo.

“Thank you for coming, raising your own money and loving on our church people,” said Cara.

“It was amazing to have young people here in Hawaii to serve the Lord.”

Pastor Rafael echoed his wife’s sentiments. “Thank you for your servant leadership. You’ve made an impact on our church and on my life.”

Pastor DeAngelo offered several big takeaways from the team’s mission trip:

• Missionaries, even in Hawaii, sacrifice. Ministry is hard, often lonely work. The hours are long and the pressures are real (financial, spiritual, practical, and relational). 
  
• It’s amazing to watch the body of Christ function together to accomplish much for God’s glory. Like Romans 12 says, we are many members of one body working for the Lord.
  
• One of the greatest ministries you have is simply being present. Pastor DeAngelo noted one of the most impactful “service projects” in Hawaii may have been doing life and ministry with the Sotos for a week.

A church member told us,

“Everything you all did was great, but the best thing you did was fellowship with us and encourage us.” 

“It is hard to explain, but love between brothers and sisters in Christ is real,” said Pastor DeAngelo. “The unity in Christ and mutual encouragement among the team and with the Sotos and church members in Hawaii was such a blessing.” 

Thank you, Friendship Baptist Church, for your support and prayers of the college group trip to Kai Point Baptist.

How to Pray for Kai Point Baptist Church:

• Pray for the 10th Anniversary Celebration on August 16, for visitors to come and hear and respond to the Gospel.
• Pray the church continues to honor God, for the Sotos and core church members to remain steadfast and faithful for the next 10 years and beyond.
• Pray for workers for the children’s class, nursery, music, and other vital roles in the church body.
• Pray for families to join the church, reject cultural influences, and serve faithfully.