Ho`ike – October, 2026

The Hawai’i Conference celebrates with gratitude the faithful ministry of Pastor Erik VanDenburgh, who was elected to serve as vice president for administration and secretary of the North Pacific Union Conference during its 2026 Constituency Session.

Pastor VanDenburgh has faithfully served the mission of the church in Hawai’i, first as youth director for seven and a half years and then as president of the Hawai’i Conference for the past four and a half years. Throughout, he has shown a deep love for people and a passion for advancing the mission of Jesus by strengthening pastors, educators, churches, schools, and communities across the conference.

Among his contributions, Pastor VanDenburgh has been instrumental in renovating and improving Camp Waianae, has helped bring greater order and stability to the conference’s finances, and has been a driving force behind conversations aimed at providing greater resource stability for conference employees.

The Hawai’i Conference is deeply grateful for the VanDenburgh family and the many ways they have shared in ministry. While this transition brings a season of change, it is also an opportunity to celebrate what God has accomplished through his leadership and to support him as God calls him into a new area of service.

On behalf of the Hawai’i Conference family, we extend our heartfelt mahalo to Pastor Erik VanDenburgh, Jana, Jacob, Joel, and Jaben for their faithful service, friendship, and leadership. We pray God’s continued blessing as he begins this new chapter with the North Pacific Union Conference. He will be greatly missed.

Mahalo, Pastor Erik and family, for faithfully serving Hawai’i. Once ‘ohana, always ‘ohana. 

—Hawai’i Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

HMA Windward teacher

Jessica Gleason was raised in California and later lived in New York and Colorado before moving to Hawaii. She brings more than 15 years of teaching experience in both Adventist and public education. She holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Pacific Union College. Over the past seven years, she taught at Mile High Academy in Denver, Colorado, as a classroom teacher and as vice principal, supporting students, staff, and families across the school community. Jessica is passionate about building strong relationships, supporting teachers, and helping students thrive both inside and outside the classroom. She and her husband, TJ, are excited to join the HMA Windward community alongside their two sons, Bentley and Cooper, who will be entering the 8th and 6th grades this year.

Ka Lama Iki principal

Michelle Smith brings nearly 30 years of experience in education, including 24 years in school leadership and 10 years as a teaching principal. She holds a Master of Education in administration and leadership and is currently pursuing her doctorate in cognitive diversity in education. Throughout her career, Michelle has served in a variety of educational settings across North America and Thailand, including Seventh-day Adventist, First Nations, Jewish, charter, and special education schools. She believes every student has unique strengths, gifts, and ways of understanding the world, and she is passionate about creating a safe, caring environment where students feel known, valued, and supported. Michelle believes education is about developing the whole person—physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially—and preparing students for a life of joyful service to others and to God. She enjoys gardening, especially growing heirloom vegetables, as well as reading, knitting, word puzzles, spending time at the beach, and snorkeling. She feels truly blessed to now call Hawai’i home. 

Mauna Loa School teaching principal

Bela Cinco is originally from Colorado. She graduated from Southern Adventist University with a degree in psychology after beginning her college journey at Walla Walla University. She has had the privilege of serving young people in a variety of school and residence hall settings, including Hawaiian Mission Academy and, most recently, Carmel Adventist College in Western Australia. These opportunities have allowed her to work with young people from many backgrounds and have strengthened her passion for Christ-centered education. Bela believes that Christian education focuses on nurturing the whole person while guiding students to love and serve like Christ. When not in the classroom, she enjoys hiking, running, getting boba, and spending time with friends. 

It’s always a delight to welcome our keiki to Camp Waianae from throughout the Hawaiian Islands. This summer, nearly 300 kids from families and churches on Kauai, Hawai‘i Island, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Oahu attended camp.

Our theme, “Rooted,” focused on the life of David and what it means to build a life deeply rooted in Jesus. Each week, our guest pastors brought that theme to life.

Pastor Jacob Moreno, the pastor of the Kona churches, connected with Adventurers through storytelling and his much-loved puppet, Grandpa. His stories highlighted people who made a difference in the lives of others and always pointed back to Jesus. A special moment came when Pastor Jacob’s own daughter was baptized in front of the campers.

During Junior Week, Pastor Rey Bibit, pastor of the Diamond Head, Fil-Am, and Waipahu churches, challenged campers to not simply know about Jesus but to choose Him personally. One camper who struggled so much that he wanted to leave was later seen singing songs about Jesus, smiling, and enjoying activities. It reminded us that sometimes ministry is simply staying beside a young person through a difficult moment.

Teen Week speaker Pastor Larry Graack from Sacramento spent time listening to teens, learning their names, and sharing openly how God had worked through the messy parts of his own story. On the final evening, many teens came forward during his appeal, and staff prayed with them and encouraged them. Some were in tears. God was moving.

Camp continues to be one of the most effective ways to reach our young people for Jesus. Each summer, we see campers open their hearts, make decisions for Christ, and take the next step toward Bible studies or baptism.

We are deeply grateful for every staff member who sacrificed time and poured into our keiki. This was truly a summer to remember, and our prayer is that the campers will remain Rooted in Jesus long after camp is over.

By Ivan Ostrovsky