WELCOME TO CBTS
Calvary by the Sea is a group of people gathered by the Creator to a live a life of inclusivity, intentionality, and involvement. To participate in the ongoing healing and reconciliation of the world!
We say Amen to God's diversity of humanity!
We are a congregation with a Lutheran theological imagination that practices the sacraments of baptism and communion as Jesus did. We are a sacramental community that partakes of wine and bread as a weekly nourishment.
We are a Reconciling in Christ congregation that boldly declares inclusion of our queer siblings in Christ. We are a Racial Reconciling in Christ congregation that openly declares unity for people of all ethnicities and races and works towards a shared vision and visible sign of the heavenly church.
Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, ELCA and in mission partnership with the Pacifica Synod.
OUR MISSION & VISION
Responding to our changing world with Godʻs unchanging love and grace.
OUR CORE VALUES
CBTS has identified three core values that truly speak to the heart of what we are striving to do and to be a church in this community and island.
Inclusive – As a Reconciling in Christ Congregation, we continue to acknowledge that LGBTQIA+ discrimination occurs inside and outside the church. Therefore, we advocate for the full welcome, inclusion, equity and celebration of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. Amen for the diversity of God’s people! As an Ecumenical Congregation we strive for unity across various faith traditions and denominations. Our theological differences don’t divide us, rather they allow us to learn from one another and celebrate the unique perspectives we all bring to the table.
Intentional – As a Learning Congregation we seek out education as a source of spiritual growth and social action. Our ministries and programs across all ages aim to deliberately serve and care for the poor, hungry, oppressed, and exploited. As a congregation striving for Racial Reconciliation, we continue to acknowledge the lifelong process of unpacking, processing and rejecting the sin of white supremacy embedded within our society and the American Christian Church. We lament that Black, Brown, Asian, Pacific Islander, Indigenous, People of Color (BBIPOC) continue to pay the price of systemic racism with their lives. We pray for the image of God to be the common identity that unites us and heals us, pointing us toward justice and wholeness.
Involved – As a Serving Congregation and as our sanctuary entrance states, “Beyond these doors your service begins,” so we aim to be actively involved in the care of all creation. Serving our island through nourishing the hungry, engaging local/global social equity and caring for the aina (the land) and all living things. As a Sanctuary Congregation, we continue to advocate for protection, dignity, and justice for migrants and refugees, who seek to be called travelers. We advocate for our island through Faith Action creating a more equitable and justice centered world.
OUR LOCATION
5339 Kalanianaʻole Highway, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [Oceanfront Sanctuary]
Calvary by the Sea is a group of people gathered by the Creator to a live a life of inclusivity, intentionality, and involvement. To participate in the ongoing healing and reconciliation of the world!
We say Amen to God's diversity of humanity!
We are a congregation with a Lutheran theological imagination that practices the sacraments of baptism and communion as Jesus did. We are a sacramental community that partakes of wine and bread as a weekly nourishment.
We are a Reconciling in Christ congregation that boldly declares inclusion of our queer siblings in Christ. We are a Racial Reconciling in Christ congregation that openly declares unity for people of all ethnicities and races and works towards a shared vision and visible sign of the heavenly church.
Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, ELCA and in mission partnership with the Pacifica Synod.
OUR MISSION & VISION
Responding to our changing world with Godʻs unchanging love and grace.
OUR CORE VALUES
CBTS has identified three core values that truly speak to the heart of what we are striving to do and to be a church in this community and island.
Inclusive – As a Reconciling in Christ Congregation, we continue to acknowledge that LGBTQIA+ discrimination occurs inside and outside the church. Therefore, we advocate for the full welcome, inclusion, equity and celebration of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. Amen for the diversity of God’s people! As an Ecumenical Congregation we strive for unity across various faith traditions and denominations. Our theological differences don’t divide us, rather they allow us to learn from one another and celebrate the unique perspectives we all bring to the table.
Intentional – As a Learning Congregation we seek out education as a source of spiritual growth and social action. Our ministries and programs across all ages aim to deliberately serve and care for the poor, hungry, oppressed, and exploited. As a congregation striving for Racial Reconciliation, we continue to acknowledge the lifelong process of unpacking, processing and rejecting the sin of white supremacy embedded within our society and the American Christian Church. We lament that Black, Brown, Asian, Pacific Islander, Indigenous, People of Color (BBIPOC) continue to pay the price of systemic racism with their lives. We pray for the image of God to be the common identity that unites us and heals us, pointing us toward justice and wholeness.
Involved – As a Serving Congregation and as our sanctuary entrance states, “Beyond these doors your service begins,” so we aim to be actively involved in the care of all creation. Serving our island through nourishing the hungry, engaging local/global social equity and caring for the aina (the land) and all living things. As a Sanctuary Congregation, we continue to advocate for protection, dignity, and justice for migrants and refugees, who seek to be called travelers. We advocate for our island through Faith Action creating a more equitable and justice centered world.
OUR LOCATION
5339 Kalanianaʻole Highway, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi [Oceanfront Sanctuary]
OUR STORIES
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OUR MINISTRY TEAM
Associate Minister of Family Ministries, Grace Lee (she/her)
Grace was born and raised in Honolulu, HI. She is a graduate of Kaiser High School, The University of Hawaii and Fuller Theological Seminary. While in seminary, Grace was called into hospital chaplaincy. She’s been a chaplain for 6 years and has served at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, CA, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children and at Straub Medical Center. Grace serves as CBTSʻs Associate Minister of Family Ministries and is in the candidacy process for ordination with the ELCA. She is married to her wife Debbie and they enjoy traveling, cooking, listening to podcasts and spending time with their niece Piper. Some of Grace’s hobbies include playing the guitar, watching movies and checking out new restaurants.
Contact Minister Grace
Worship Director, Alana Freitas (she/her)
Alana Freitas was born and raised in Kaimuki and attended high school at Mid-Pacific Institute School of the Arts where she explored her passions of acting and singing. She then attended her top-choice school, Chapman University, in Orange, California where she majored in Creative Writing and minored in Integrated Educational Studies. While her plan was always to return to Hawaii to become a high school ELA teacher, Alana chose to answer the call to minister to college students at UCLA after her experience as the president of Chapman’s InterVarsity chapter. During this time, Alana grew in skills of discipleship, worship, fundraising, and retreat planning. In 2019, Alana abruptly returned home to the island due to a family emergency and has stayed ever since. She recently received her 200-hour yoga teacher certification as well as her Hawaii State Standards Board certification in English Education. She now works as a high school teacher at Hawaii Technology Academy in Waipahu and teaches outdoor yoga from time to time. She also leads a weekly Ohana Group for Calvary by the Sea and is currently training for the Honolulu Marathon in December. Alana is passionate about creating spaces for people to inquire, express, and connect. She loves tteokbokki, memoirs, slow mornings, coffee, and singing. This is the sixth worship band she will serve on.
Contact Alana
Associate Minister of Student Ministries, Eric Hasha (he/him)
Eric is the Associate Minister of Student Ministries and in process towards ordination with the ELCA. He grew up in the suburbs of Birmingham, AL where he attended Samford University with a major in Sociology. He is married to Cristy, a fourth grade teacher at Hawaii Baptist Academy, and they have two kids, Abigail (13) and Everett (10). Eric received his Master of Divinity degree from Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (VA). Beginning in 2002, he has served in various positions in churches in Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee and Hawaii. The church members of Tabernacle Baptist Church, who belong to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship denomination, ordained Eric on April 25, 2010. Although Eric now serves as the youth minister, he also works full-time as the President of Restoration Services Hawaii, a full-service restoration company serving residents all over Oahu. Besides enjoying most of his time with his wife and kids in the Kamehameha Heights area, he also enjoys watching college and professional football, as well as Formula 1 racing and taking his dog, Rosie, a mini golden doodle on long neighborhood walks.
Contact Minister Eric
Parish Administrator, Mieko Takada (she/her)
Mieko was born in Japan, but has been a resident of Hawaii for over 30 years. Upon graduating from UH Manoa, she juggled multiple jobs and raised 3 children who all played soccer through the collegiate level. With her 12 years of experience with NPO that involved children, she feels like this role at CBTS is a match made in heaven. She provides parish administration and organization for Calvary by the Sea among many other things. Today her children are all grown up, and enjoys traveling, playing tennis and piano.
Contact Mieko
Choir Director, Chris Suzuki (he/him)
Chris Suzuki is a composer, arranger, and music director who was born and raised in Hawai‘i. He demonstrated an avid interest in music at a young age and began composing and arranging for Hawai‘i’s diverse music community. He studied music seriously in his high school years and despite the lack of a music program, Chris was able to study music independently until he graduated. He further pursued formal training and a college education in music in 2000. By 2007, Chris received a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.
While attending the University of Hawai‘i, Chris studied composition with Professors Donald Reid Womack, E. Takeo Kudo, Byron Yasui, Peter Askim, Daniel Kessner, and band arranging with Daniel Kalantarian. He also studied composition independently with Hawai‘i-based composers Jerré Tanner, Jon Magnussen, and John Starr Alexander. His composition interests lie greatly with the fusion of “Classical” and “Popular” music styles through large ensemble mediums (band, orchestra, chorus), piano music, and vocal music. Chris’s stellar talent is transparent in projects that have been performed and read by the Honolulu Symphony, Royal Hawaiian Band, Honolulu Chorale, Hawai‘i Youth Opera Chorus, ensembles from University of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Pacific University, students of the Ernest Chang Piano Studio and more. He also worked on arrangements and transcriptions for individual clients and managed projects for local church music groups, high school ensembles, and various community ensembles in Hawai‘i.
During the 2020 pandemic, Chris found ways to remain musically active by participating in various virtual ensemble projects as both as a singer and a video/audio editor, and engaged other local singers/musicians to participate. He also founded and created the Hitbox Music Ensemble in 2016; an ensemble of instrumentalists and chorus singers dedicated to the performance and preservation of live video game music which has led to performances at comic and anime conventions and collaborative performances with the Hawai‘i Symphony. Chris is currently the choir director at Calvary by the Sea and has held past director positions at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church and the Honolulu Chorale. As a vocalist trained in Classical and Popular genres, Chris has sung with over a dozen of other Hawai‘i choral groups which include the O‘ahu Choral Society, Lutheran Church of Honolulu, and Windward Choral Society.
Contact Chris
Senior Pastor, The Rev. Dr. Moses D. Barrios (he/el)
The Rev. Dr. Moses D. Barrios (he/el) is the Senior Pastor of Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church. He is an Indigenous American of Mayan descent, born and raised in Los Angeles, CA with more than 24 years of ministry experience, serving in Northern and Southern California and Hawaiʻi. He is married to his wife Brenda for 23 years, and they have three terrific children, Penelope and Amelie who attend college in the Bronx, NY and Hansel, a Senior at Kaiser High School in Hawaiʻi Kai. Pastor Moses received both his graduate and post-graduate degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. His doctoral project titled, “Confronting the Lack of Racial Unity in the American Christian Church,” is one of his passions in ministry. Click here to read or download.
His other theological and biblical studies derive from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (P.L.T.S.) in Berkeley, CA, Centro Hispano de Estudios Teologicos (C.H.E.T.) in affiliation with North Park Theological Seminary in Compton, CA and Chicago, IL and Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. He is an Ordained Roster Minister of Word and Sacrament with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Additionally, Pastor Moses is the President of Faith Action, a faith-based non-profit organization in Hawaiʻi advocating for justice and equity for the last 40 years. Click here to learn more about Faith Action Hawai’i. He has extensive experience as a chaplain and spiritual counselor working with disproportionate people groups. Most notably with the skid-row houseless community in downtown LA and the queer/trans community in the Greater LA area. Moreover, he has served on pastoral staff in numerous traditions and denominations. This spectrum of theological and liturgical history has created an ecumenical approach and devotion to the engagement and reconciling of the local church and all creation.
Moses routinely speaks on racial reconciliation, LGBTQI inclusion, church vitality in the urban context, and liberation/prophetic preaching. Furthermore, as an advocate and activist for inclusion, racial unity, and the repair of all creation –he fully believes the Trinitarian flow of the divine is healing the world. Hope is here, joy is here, and healing is already happening. Enter the flow!
Contact Pastor Moses
The Rev. Dr. Moses D. Barrios (he/el) is the Senior Pastor of Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church. He is an Indigenous American of Mayan descent, born and raised in Los Angeles, CA with more than 24 years of ministry experience, serving in Northern and Southern California and Hawaiʻi. He is married to his wife Brenda for 23 years, and they have three terrific children, Penelope and Amelie who attend college in the Bronx, NY and Hansel, a Senior at Kaiser High School in Hawaiʻi Kai. Pastor Moses received both his graduate and post-graduate degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. His doctoral project titled, “Confronting the Lack of Racial Unity in the American Christian Church,” is one of his passions in ministry. Click here to read or download.
His other theological and biblical studies derive from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (P.L.T.S.) in Berkeley, CA, Centro Hispano de Estudios Teologicos (C.H.E.T.) in affiliation with North Park Theological Seminary in Compton, CA and Chicago, IL and Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. He is an Ordained Roster Minister of Word and Sacrament with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Additionally, Pastor Moses is the President of Faith Action, a faith-based non-profit organization in Hawaiʻi advocating for justice and equity for the last 40 years. Click here to learn more about Faith Action Hawai’i. He has extensive experience as a chaplain and spiritual counselor working with disproportionate people groups. Most notably with the skid-row houseless community in downtown LA and the queer/trans community in the Greater LA area. Moreover, he has served on pastoral staff in numerous traditions and denominations. This spectrum of theological and liturgical history has created an ecumenical approach and devotion to the engagement and reconciling of the local church and all creation.
Moses routinely speaks on racial reconciliation, LGBTQI inclusion, church vitality in the urban context, and liberation/prophetic preaching. Furthermore, as an advocate and activist for inclusion, racial unity, and the repair of all creation –he fully believes the Trinitarian flow of the divine is healing the world. Hope is here, joy is here, and healing is already happening. Enter the flow!
Contact Pastor Moses
OUR WORSHIP TEAM
Worship Production, Fletcher Young (he/him)
Fletcher Young has been working at Calvary by the Sea since 2008 as Worship Production Support. Primarily an audio engineer, he was part of the team that transitioned Sunday worship services to an online Zoom format when the pandemic of 2020 hit and services were shut down for most of that year. When it comes to the worship service, his philosophy is that the goal of the sound engineers is to be unnoticed; if people enjoy the service without noticing the microphones or problems with the music, their job is a success. At CBTS he has run the sound for most special events, notably the “Love is but a song we sing” fundraisers, the Hawaii Homeless Companion, and the Performing Arts at Calvary musicals. He is married to Ina Young, and they have two beautiful and talented children. During the week he works in IT at Hawai’i Pacific Health.
Instrumentalist, (Saxophonist/Flutist), Jason Gay (he/him)
Jason Gay is one of the most charismatic, technically proficient, and dynamic saxophonists in Hawaiʻi. Born in Wash DC, Jason was exposed at an early age to many forms of music such as jazz, blues, R&B, folk, Indian, African, and Chinese. he began studying saxophone at age 14 and performing professionally at the age of 16 in many theaters and venues on the east coast eventually receiving NAACP youth award for “best instrumental performance”. Attending Berklee college of music in ‘94 with a partial scholarship, Jason befriended and performed regularly with acclaimed musicians such as John Blackwell, Jeremy Pelt, Reuben Rogers and Ravi Coltrane. Later earning a Bachelor’s of Music from VCU, he felt inspired to enlist in the US Navy as a musician under the leadership of Barack Obama. While in the Navy, Jason toured the world, leading his own Jazz ensemble which performed at many venues in countries such as Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines and Cambodia. After serving his last years in the Navy while stationed in Chicago, Jason decided to return to Hawaii and set roots with his Wife and two sons, where he continues to maintains a career as a highly sought-after saxophonist, bandleader and clinician. Jason has performed with the Temptations, Nate Smith, Jeremy Pelt, John Blackwell, Marion Meadows, Mulgrew Miller, Michael Paulo, and Renè Marie. Jason also has opened for artists such as Mos Def and Medeski, Martian and Wood. He plays saxophone for Calvary by the Sea on Sunday mornings.
Instrumentalist, (Bassist/Ukulele), Alika Lyman (he/him)
Alika Lyman is a bassist, guitarist, composer, and teacher of over 20 years from Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. He has lived and worked professionally in Seattle, WA and more recently NYC as a sideman and leader. Alika has studied the classical style on both instruments and considers himself a lifelong student of Jazz. He plays bass and other instruments for Calvary by the Sea on Sunday mornings.
Instrumentalist, (Drummer/Percussionist), Scott Shafer (he/him)
Scott Shafer was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. Scott started playing drums at age 14 and was working professionally by age 16. After graduating from Kalani H.S. he attended Berklee College Of Music in Boston where he earned his B.A. in Professional Music. Since returning home, he has played in a wide variety of styles and musical settings. His musical theater experience includes manning the drum throne in productions of Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Song And Dance, Evita, Tommy, Something Rotten and Waitress. His ensemble performances included dates with,but not limited to Na Leo Pilimehana, Manoa DNA, Jazz Hawaii Big Band, Salsa Hawaii, Alex Bell and The Phones, Bob Jones and Hardrive, Hula Joe And The Hutjumpers, and eight0eight. Scott is currently working with Hawaiian Soul (old school R&B) Nalu Collective (Neo Soul,Jazz), Stone Soul Sounds (Classic Rock) and Groovology ( Traditional and Latin Jazz) as well as various live, studio recording, and freelance projects. When he's not performing he's teaching private instruction for drum set at Honolulu Music Lessons Workshop. Aside from music he enjoys surfing, hiking, biking, and spending time with family, dining,chilling and grilling. Scott plays drums for Calvary by the Sea on Sunday mornings.
Instrumentalist, (Acoustic Guitarist), Peter Gorham (he/him)
Peter Gorham is a professor of physics, and Chair of the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Hawaii at Manoa since 2001. His specialty is radio detection of ultra-high energy cosmic particles, an experimental branch of the cross-disciplinary field known as Particle Astrophysics. Prior to his work at the University of Hawaii, he spent 4 years at the Jet Propulsion laboratory where he worked in optical and radio interferometery. He has published many scientific journal articles in physics and astrophysics. He is a recipient of the Congressional Antarctic Service Medal, and shared the 2016 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics. Water Language was his first book of poetry. He lives and teaches in Honolulu, Hawaii. Peter plays classical guitar for Calvary by the Sea on Sunday mornings.
OUR CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL
The Congregational Council is made up of a group of people who are called by God and the local parish to provide spiritual support and missional leadership. A member of the council cares for the spiritual well-being of the congregation, regularly attends worship services, is involved in the congregational life, financially supports the church and its ministries and prays for discernment about what is best for the congregation. The Congregational Council meets on the first Sunday of every month after worship.
Please be in prayer for your council in such a season as this and please feel free to contact us
The Congregational Council is made up of a group of people who are called by God and the local parish to provide spiritual support and missional leadership. A member of the council cares for the spiritual well-being of the congregation, regularly attends worship services, is involved in the congregational life, financially supports the church and its ministries and prays for discernment about what is best for the congregation. The Congregational Council meets on the first Sunday of every month after worship.
Please be in prayer for your council in such a season as this and please feel free to contact us
Beth Littledell is our Moderator (she/her), PHR, and is the Director of Human Resources for HHHRC, Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center. Beth has over 20 years of experience working within the Human Resources profession and advocating for a strong, productive workforce. Beth has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in Human Resources from Louisiana State University and completed additional Master’s business classes at Harvard University. She is passionate about harm reduction and advocating for those living in marginalized communities. The aloha felt in Hawai’i and, in particular, the congregation at Calvary by the Sea have had a profound impact on Beth’s faith walk. Her hope is to be able to utilize the skills and abilities she’s garnered throughout her professional and personal life to support the church in its various missions. Beth and her wife Rhonda lead Pride Connection, a ministry for our queer community and allies. She is excited to be considered for this role.
Nathan Maxwell-Doherty is our Vice Moderator (he/him), newlywed to his beautiful wife Addie and proud dog dad to Maisie, is a jack of all trades. Nathan graduated from California Lutheran University with a degree in Fine Art with an emphasis in Religion. After college he worked for Lutheran Retreats, Camps & Conferences (LRCC) at El Camino Pines & Luther Glen Farm - Southern California’s only Lutheran Bible Camps! He served as Program Director & Director of Outreach for 3 years and as the Camp Director of Luther Glen Farm for 5 years. Currently Nathan is weaving creativity across roles as a Freelance Graphic Designer, Creative Director at Duneyrr Fermenta Winery & Brewery, and Remote Project Manager for Christie Building & Development. Beyond his professional roles, Nathan is a seasoned speaker and planning team member, contributing to various Youth Gatherings, the ELCA Youth Ministry Network’s conference The Extravaganza, and multiple professional improvement retreats. When he’s not working, Nathan loves spending time with his wife and dog either at the beach, on the couch, or at a brewery!
Renee Ako is our Recorder (she/her). She has been a member of Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church and a resident of Aina Haina for 20 years. She and her husband Michael have two adult daughters who reside in the mainland. Renee recently retired from Aina Haina Elementary School where she worked as the Parent Community Networking Coordinator, connecting families to the school and community through communication, activities and events. She is currently caring for her parents on a full-time basis and is grateful for their companionship. Renee enjoys recipe testing and discovering new authors.
On Sundays Renee can be found happily serving “behind-the-scenes” by caring for our altar or ushering. Taking the step to serve on our council would allow her to share her gifts which include being adaptable, organized, empathetic and having a healthy sense of humor. She strongly identifies with Calvary by the Sea’s core values of inclusivity, intentionality and involvement and is excited to be a part of a community that puts faith in action.
Susan Winklareth is our Financial Officer (she/her). She came to Calvary in 2009, over 15 years ago and served as Treasurer and as a member of the board for three years. Sunday service is an important part of her week, and serving on the board brought her closer to Calvary and gave her treasured friendships. She works both as an accountant for a CPA firm and sales representative for her and her husband's business. Their son Tristan went through confirmation at Calvary and they are forever grateful for the education and spiritual guidance he received at that time.
Zoe Lewis is our Youth Representative (she/her), and is a sophomore at Punahou School and part of the Marching Band. She is a long time and active participant of our CBTS student ministries and is excited to be nominated to represent youth in our congregational council. As a Youth Representative, a position previously held by Amelie Barrios, she follows in the footsteps of consecutive terms of student and youth representation in Calvary by the Seaʻs congregational council. Thanks be to God! This is a voice desperately needed and valued in the advocacy of all dialogue and decisions for our congregation. Demonstrating an intentional and prioritization of young people in the governance of our church. Zoe is the daughter of long time member Pati Kickland and Brian Lewis, sister to Tycho and a wonderful addition to our council.
Mark Chuakay is a Member at Large (he/him), PHR, works for Reliance Matrix as an HR IT Specialist. He has over 20 years of Human Resources experience, specifically in leave of absence management. Mark has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix, and is a certified professional in Human Resources. Mark was a therapeutic foster parent for Hale Kipa and Child and Family Services for 5 years, fostering hard-to-place youth and those requiring therapeutic services. Eventually, he adopted 3 children who are now 25, 13, and 9 years old. Mark started attending service at CBTS in 2019, and resides in Hawaii Kai. He is excited to continue serving on the congregational council.
Lisa Montano-May is a Member at Large (she/her) and has been nominated again to be a member of the Council of Deacons for 2022-2024. She has been on the council for many years prior and took a break, but ready to serve again. She enjoyed her past tenure and will do her best to serve again. She feels the Council of Deacons is an important body of the church. Your vote would be greatly appreciated. She is a Stephen Ministry leader and trainer and has really been involved with that program to help many others heal from heavy burdens. Our service begins beyond the walls of the church, so keep attending church and always stay in prayer. Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Becky Hoy is a Member at Large (she/her) and joined CBTS with her husband Randy in 2022. During their first visit to CBTS their family felt immediately welcomed and knew that they had found their church home. Becky is particularly passionate about the church's focus on authentic community, inclusivity and service. She enjoys serving as a part of the CBTS Worship Team and is grateful for our church's commitment to exploring fresh expressions of worship. Now an E-commerce Operations Consultant, Becky previously worked as Director of Logistics & Operations for Crossroads United Methodist Church and for Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church (PCUSA). Becky grew up as an active part of her local ELCA church, serving as President of the Northeast Pennsylvania Synod Lutheran Youth Fellowship and Member at Large of the National Board of the Lutheran Youth Organization. She is excited to develop deeper friendships through service and community at Calvary by the Sea!
Garret Pick is our Parliamentarian (he/him). Aloha! I grew up in the Midwest with a Lutheran background. When I moved to Hawaii in 2001, I immediately felt at home at CBTS. Over the years, I've served on the COD, taught Sunday school, helped with ushering, care of the property and various on campus events. I have two adult children who both attended preschool at Calvary. Years later, my son completed his Eagle Scout project for the school. Professionally, I work from home in Kaka'ako as a software engineer. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and to help the church continue to grow and thrive.
Jack Ashby is a Member at Large (he/him) and his wife Mary Pat have lived in Hawaii for 16 years and have been active members of Calvary by the Sea the entire time. He has a Masters Degree in Health Management and Policy from the University of Michigan, and had a career with the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (an arm of Congress in Washington D.C.) before transitioning to similar work for HMSA here. After initially retiring in 2021, he continued a couple of more years to help organize and launch a comprehensive health care center for the homeless, with a non-profit called the Hawaii Homeless Healthcare Hui. This center, known as Punawai, became fully operational earlier this year. Jack enjoys hiking, playing golf, yoga, Hawaiian music and dance, and traveling with Mary Pat to see places in the world and to keep up with their son and family in Chicago. At Calvary, Jack has been in the choir for many years and has helped with Calvary’s finance and stewardship programs. He began serving on the Congregational Council for the second time in 2023 and looks forward to continuing to serve in this capacity in the coming year.
OUR COMMUNICATION
The Calvary Caller is our weekly email communication that includes our upcoming events and gatherings, a note from the desk of the Senior Pastor throughout the year and other announcements for the congregation. Our desire to keep you informed of all the happenings at Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church.
If you would like to subscribe, please contact us
The Calvary Caller is our weekly email communication that includes our upcoming events and gatherings, a note from the desk of the Senior Pastor throughout the year and other announcements for the congregation. Our desire to keep you informed of all the happenings at Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church.
If you would like to subscribe, please contact us
OUR HISTORY
The idea of a new Lutheran Church in Hawaii came from Dr. Phillip Dybvig, Director of Home Missions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Dr. Gaylord Falde, Bishop of the South pacific District of the ELC. The funding of the new church was handled by the Churches of the Austin Circuit in Southern Minnesota in late 1953. On the day that the Austin circuit decided to sponsor the mission by providing loan money, Dr. Falde and Dr. Dybvig gave Stan Gjervik the Letter of Call to become the mission pastor in Honolulu.
Stan and Doris Gjervik arrived in Honolulu on July 26,1954. They were ready to work the afternoon they arrived. First, they met with real estate agents to scout the Aina Haina area for possible church sites. Sven Anderson at M's Ranch House offered the use of his banquet facility for a place of Worship and Sunday School. The first service was scheduled for October 17,1954. The big day came. Dr. Phil Dybvig was a guest. Forty-two people were present at the first service. Attendance was down a little the next two Sundays, but it climbed gradually until there were about 95 by Christmas and 120 by Easter.
While Dr. Dybvig was here, the congregation began negotiating for property. A realtor by the name of Mr. Wright found the present site. For four days we worked with a Mrs. Wild and her advisors at the Hawaiian Trust Building. The bank was wonderful. We explained that we had $90,000 to invest, but that this would have to include the purchase price of the land and the first unit of the church (now Ohana Lani). The result was that the church purchased 63,000 square feet of land for $60,000. Later, the church received a gift of 10,000 square feet where Hale Aloha is located. An additional 10,000 square feet of land on the highway end of the property was a gift in 1955.
In 1956, a pledge of $10,000 covered a promissory note to Mrs. Wild. Plans for the parsonage (now Hale Aloha) were started. Harold Hicks was the builder but was assisted by Nolan Wold, a volunteer who came in January, 1955. Paul Jones of Wimberly and Cook was engaged as the architect. Plans were soon ready, and the church accepted a bid from C. W. Winstedt for under $24,000. By the end of September, 1955, we were in our new building. Special gifts came for the finishing touches.
We continued to meet at the Hind Company Office Building behind M's Ranch House. Sunday School started on October 24, 1954. Children's programming began on Thursday afternoons in November when we moved to the new church site. Women of the church began meeting once a month. Later we started a regular weekly Wednesday morning Bible Study. Everybody seemed to take hold of the work, and to support the congregation seemed to be a natural thing to do. In fourteen months, we began carrying our own weight, and no longer needed the monthly Home Mission Grant in Aid.
The church was active from the beginning. Visitors were abundant during those years. Participation in Kiwanis and P.T.A. became an important community service. In 1958, we began broadcasting our worship service on KAIM FM. Additions were built to both sides of the sanctuary in 1953. The church had taken its place in the community
The spirit of the first congregation still exists. Words of early pastors continue to describe Calvary by the Sea Lutheran: From our first pastor Stan Gjervik (1954-1961): "Every car that drove up was a miracle." From James Bergquist (1961-1964): "Calvary Lutheran has always been a unique and wonderful congregation." From Obed Sunde (1964-1967): "Thanks to God for the blessings He has showered on the congregation."
In 1968, Doug Olson became the senior pastor at Calvary, ushering in a period of strong growth in membership, church programs and community service. This included a unique program called Clown Sunday, which used theatre to reach out to members of the church and community at large who were burdened by emotional and spiritual problems. Pastor Olson's wife Ivy launched Angel Network Charities (ANC), which was dedicated to helping those in need with housing, counseling, and food assistance.
In 1978, Calvary by the Sea membership voted to affiliate with the new Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, or ELCA. Then in 1979, planning began for a new sanctuary to be situated where those attending worship services can look out over the beautiful seascape of Moanalua Bay. The facility opened in 1982.
In 1991, the parsonage (now Hale Aloha) was renovated to provide space for ANC's program. Today, Angel Network Charities focuses exclusively on feeding and nourishing our 'Ohana in partnership with other ministries and organizations. The need for nourishment has grown steadily over the years, and grew exponentially during the covid-19 global pandemic. At the peak of the pandemic, ANC was providing food weekly for more than 1,000 families. Today they feed nearly 3,000 families per week!
Early in Pastor Olsen's 34 years as senior pastor, Calvary started a preschool with 30 students and 2 teachers. The school later became a Montessori School and its enrollment increased to nearly 70 students shortly before covid restrictions went into effect. At about the same time, Calvary began offering weddings to couples in Hawaii, the continent USA and countries around the world, another program that continues to this day (with a pause during the covid global pandemic.) In 2004, Tim Mason began a 14-year term as senior pastor. After a two-and-a-half-year interim process and a global pandemic, Calvary by the Sea called a new a pastor.
In 2021, Calvary by the Sea’s current pastor, Moses Barrios, arrived with bold intentions to extend Christ’s love and grace in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi through the called people of God at Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church. Since Pastor Mosesʻ arrival to the congregation, CBTS has boldly embodied its mission and values; uplifting the inclusion of the LGBTQI community, becoming known for its bold inclusivity, intersectionality and advocacy. Nearly 20% of todayʻs congregation identifies as queer. Thanks be to God!
CBTS is living with intentionality by nourishing the island through Angel Network Charities Food Bank, becoming the islandʻs largest food bank during the pandemic and post-pandemic years. And seeking to be involved in advocacy and social change through Faith Action Hawaiʻi and other advocacy organizations. Thanks be to God!
As a result, CBTS has exponentially grown in participation and spirituality, adding more than 150 new members and supporters to the spiritual family and tripling in Sunday worship attendance during the pandemic and post-pandemic years. Such growth gave birth to ʻOhana Groups, small groups that encourage community and relationship, and Pride Connection, a ministry led by our queer community and welcoming of allies. Thanks be to God!
Certainly, the trajectory for most of the American Christian Church is declining in worship attendance, aging, homogenizing and plainly put, becoming irrelevant. Nonetheless, Pastor Moses’ vision to see unity and diversity in race and ethnicity within a historically predominantly euro-centric congregation like CBTS and a denomination like the ELCA has authentically become a reality. More than 50% of todayʻs congregation is made up of people of color (B.B.I.P.O.C.) making it truly a multi-ethnic congregation. Thanks be to God!
In addition, our Executive Committee and Congregational Council has called a robust and experienced group of leaders, directors and ministers to assist with the growth of ministry and spiritual formation. And with the core values of inclusion, intentionality and involvement CBTS continues to prioritize young people and young families with children and youth, a demographic sorely missing from the congregation prior to Pastor Mosesʻ arrival.
In 2024, CBTS was recognized and celebrated as a top 20 ELCA congregation in the nation, among 9,300 congregations excelling in multiethnic and intersectional ministry. A case study and interview of CBTS was completed by DataWise Consulting in order to gain knowledge and outcomes to share with other ELCA congregations across the nation. We are very proud and excited about this movement of God among us! The divine is flowing in Honolulu Hawaiʻi! History will continue to be made in the coming years as CBTS enters the flow that is healing and reconciling of all creation, where everything is being made new. Amen!
The idea of a new Lutheran Church in Hawaii came from Dr. Phillip Dybvig, Director of Home Missions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Dr. Gaylord Falde, Bishop of the South pacific District of the ELC. The funding of the new church was handled by the Churches of the Austin Circuit in Southern Minnesota in late 1953. On the day that the Austin circuit decided to sponsor the mission by providing loan money, Dr. Falde and Dr. Dybvig gave Stan Gjervik the Letter of Call to become the mission pastor in Honolulu.
Stan and Doris Gjervik arrived in Honolulu on July 26,1954. They were ready to work the afternoon they arrived. First, they met with real estate agents to scout the Aina Haina area for possible church sites. Sven Anderson at M's Ranch House offered the use of his banquet facility for a place of Worship and Sunday School. The first service was scheduled for October 17,1954. The big day came. Dr. Phil Dybvig was a guest. Forty-two people were present at the first service. Attendance was down a little the next two Sundays, but it climbed gradually until there were about 95 by Christmas and 120 by Easter.
While Dr. Dybvig was here, the congregation began negotiating for property. A realtor by the name of Mr. Wright found the present site. For four days we worked with a Mrs. Wild and her advisors at the Hawaiian Trust Building. The bank was wonderful. We explained that we had $90,000 to invest, but that this would have to include the purchase price of the land and the first unit of the church (now Ohana Lani). The result was that the church purchased 63,000 square feet of land for $60,000. Later, the church received a gift of 10,000 square feet where Hale Aloha is located. An additional 10,000 square feet of land on the highway end of the property was a gift in 1955.
In 1956, a pledge of $10,000 covered a promissory note to Mrs. Wild. Plans for the parsonage (now Hale Aloha) were started. Harold Hicks was the builder but was assisted by Nolan Wold, a volunteer who came in January, 1955. Paul Jones of Wimberly and Cook was engaged as the architect. Plans were soon ready, and the church accepted a bid from C. W. Winstedt for under $24,000. By the end of September, 1955, we were in our new building. Special gifts came for the finishing touches.
We continued to meet at the Hind Company Office Building behind M's Ranch House. Sunday School started on October 24, 1954. Children's programming began on Thursday afternoons in November when we moved to the new church site. Women of the church began meeting once a month. Later we started a regular weekly Wednesday morning Bible Study. Everybody seemed to take hold of the work, and to support the congregation seemed to be a natural thing to do. In fourteen months, we began carrying our own weight, and no longer needed the monthly Home Mission Grant in Aid.
The church was active from the beginning. Visitors were abundant during those years. Participation in Kiwanis and P.T.A. became an important community service. In 1958, we began broadcasting our worship service on KAIM FM. Additions were built to both sides of the sanctuary in 1953. The church had taken its place in the community
The spirit of the first congregation still exists. Words of early pastors continue to describe Calvary by the Sea Lutheran: From our first pastor Stan Gjervik (1954-1961): "Every car that drove up was a miracle." From James Bergquist (1961-1964): "Calvary Lutheran has always been a unique and wonderful congregation." From Obed Sunde (1964-1967): "Thanks to God for the blessings He has showered on the congregation."
In 1968, Doug Olson became the senior pastor at Calvary, ushering in a period of strong growth in membership, church programs and community service. This included a unique program called Clown Sunday, which used theatre to reach out to members of the church and community at large who were burdened by emotional and spiritual problems. Pastor Olson's wife Ivy launched Angel Network Charities (ANC), which was dedicated to helping those in need with housing, counseling, and food assistance.
In 1978, Calvary by the Sea membership voted to affiliate with the new Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, or ELCA. Then in 1979, planning began for a new sanctuary to be situated where those attending worship services can look out over the beautiful seascape of Moanalua Bay. The facility opened in 1982.
In 1991, the parsonage (now Hale Aloha) was renovated to provide space for ANC's program. Today, Angel Network Charities focuses exclusively on feeding and nourishing our 'Ohana in partnership with other ministries and organizations. The need for nourishment has grown steadily over the years, and grew exponentially during the covid-19 global pandemic. At the peak of the pandemic, ANC was providing food weekly for more than 1,000 families. Today they feed nearly 3,000 families per week!
Early in Pastor Olsen's 34 years as senior pastor, Calvary started a preschool with 30 students and 2 teachers. The school later became a Montessori School and its enrollment increased to nearly 70 students shortly before covid restrictions went into effect. At about the same time, Calvary began offering weddings to couples in Hawaii, the continent USA and countries around the world, another program that continues to this day (with a pause during the covid global pandemic.) In 2004, Tim Mason began a 14-year term as senior pastor. After a two-and-a-half-year interim process and a global pandemic, Calvary by the Sea called a new a pastor.
In 2021, Calvary by the Sea’s current pastor, Moses Barrios, arrived with bold intentions to extend Christ’s love and grace in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi through the called people of God at Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church. Since Pastor Mosesʻ arrival to the congregation, CBTS has boldly embodied its mission and values; uplifting the inclusion of the LGBTQI community, becoming known for its bold inclusivity, intersectionality and advocacy. Nearly 20% of todayʻs congregation identifies as queer. Thanks be to God!
CBTS is living with intentionality by nourishing the island through Angel Network Charities Food Bank, becoming the islandʻs largest food bank during the pandemic and post-pandemic years. And seeking to be involved in advocacy and social change through Faith Action Hawaiʻi and other advocacy organizations. Thanks be to God!
As a result, CBTS has exponentially grown in participation and spirituality, adding more than 150 new members and supporters to the spiritual family and tripling in Sunday worship attendance during the pandemic and post-pandemic years. Such growth gave birth to ʻOhana Groups, small groups that encourage community and relationship, and Pride Connection, a ministry led by our queer community and welcoming of allies. Thanks be to God!
Certainly, the trajectory for most of the American Christian Church is declining in worship attendance, aging, homogenizing and plainly put, becoming irrelevant. Nonetheless, Pastor Moses’ vision to see unity and diversity in race and ethnicity within a historically predominantly euro-centric congregation like CBTS and a denomination like the ELCA has authentically become a reality. More than 50% of todayʻs congregation is made up of people of color (B.B.I.P.O.C.) making it truly a multi-ethnic congregation. Thanks be to God!
In addition, our Executive Committee and Congregational Council has called a robust and experienced group of leaders, directors and ministers to assist with the growth of ministry and spiritual formation. And with the core values of inclusion, intentionality and involvement CBTS continues to prioritize young people and young families with children and youth, a demographic sorely missing from the congregation prior to Pastor Mosesʻ arrival.
In 2024, CBTS was recognized and celebrated as a top 20 ELCA congregation in the nation, among 9,300 congregations excelling in multiethnic and intersectional ministry. A case study and interview of CBTS was completed by DataWise Consulting in order to gain knowledge and outcomes to share with other ELCA congregations across the nation. We are very proud and excited about this movement of God among us! The divine is flowing in Honolulu Hawaiʻi! History will continue to be made in the coming years as CBTS enters the flow that is healing and reconciling of all creation, where everything is being made new. Amen!
