WAHIAWA UMC
ABOUT US
Nestled in upper Wahiawa, just below Leilehua High School, our church is a multi-generational mix of keiki and kupuna, locals and those new to Hawaii. We especially welcome military families!
PASTOR MOSESE TAUFALELE, JR.
Pastor "Mosese" grew up in Mayor Wright Housing in Kalihi, before moving with his family to Waipahu at the age 11. It was there, at this poor, oppressed, and neglected community, that Pastor Mosese found his passion for life. Growing up he saw the hopelessness in the eyes of those in his neighborhood. He saw the pain that they carried with them daily. He saw the burdens they dragged around with them everywhere they went, and he had this feeling deep inside him that God was moving him to act. God was showing him the suffering in his community as a way of calling him to proclaim God’s message of Hope.
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After graduated from Waipahu High School, Pastor Mosese went on to attend the University of Hawaii at West Oahu, where he received a B.A in Justice Administration. During this time, Pastor Mosese got accepted as an intern at the Family Court in Kapolei. It was there that he realized that pushing papers, filing TRO’s, and scheduling court dates was not going to heal the wounds of the world. There was an emptiness deep inside most of the people who came to court that needed more than legal assistance. They needed God.
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Compelled by this experience, Pastor Mosese enrolled at Claremont School of Theology (CST) where he graduated in the Spring of 2020 with a Masters of Divinity. Since then, he has strived to be the light and salt to broken and disenfranchised communities. ​​
Pastor Mosese is the biggest Philadelphia Eagles fan in the state of Hawaii. Aside from watching football, he enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading and learning new information, meeting new people, binge watching Netflix and Hulu shows, walking Ziggy (his dog), and talking, learning, thinking, sharing, and meditating on the word of God.
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Pastor Mosese has served as the intern-pastor at Colton United Methodist church, and West Anaheim United Methodist church, both in Southern California. He recently served the community in Kahalu'u UMC through worship, social justice, and discipleship before coming to Wahiawa UMC!
Dr. Lucio “Leo” Pascua
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Born and raised in Wahiawa, Leo has been behind the piano at our church for the last twenty five years! He brings an eclectic and dynamic style to our worship experience.
A pediatrician by profession, during the week he serves at the Waipahu Satellite Clinic of the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.
Jaylina Feliza Sagon Abuy
OFFICE MANAGER
Appearing on Wahiawa UMC's doorstep during the peak of COVID, Jay has since learned what it takes to run an office and a church. Also from Wahiawa, she is grateful to work within the community that raised her.
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A graduate of the University of Hawaii, West Oahu with a BAS in Media and an AA in Teaching, Jay also works with the Hawaii Restaurant Association, its Educational Foundation, and is a freelance graphic designer and photographer.
OUR VISION
God is calling Wahiawa United Methodist Church to make disciples of Christ through mission and service to others. Our purpose is to nurture our community, meet its needs, and to be welcoming to all.
OUR BELIEFS
We believe that God’s love and grace are available to all people. Through Jesus Christ, we experience God’s healing and transformation. The Bible is the authority of our faith, which we interpret with the help of reason, tradition, and experience. We live out our faith in community and service to others.
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Wahiawa United Methodist Church affirms that all people are God’s children and deserve God’s love and grace. We welcome all, especially those who have been excluded or discriminated against due to their race, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, physical or mental ability, family configuration, political affiliation, education, economic status or theological perspective. We are an open and affirming congregation that welcomes and celebrates the full inclusion of all people in the life and ministries of Wahiawa United Methodist Church as we journey together toward reconciliation through Jesus Christ.