Michael Asuega and Eliezer Graterol were ordained to the gospel ministry in a very formal ceremony at the Honolulu Central church April 22.

Asuega

“My journey into ministry took a long, and at times torturous, route," explained Asuega. "Starting as a Marine in Vietnam, I developed some habits of smoking, drinking and drugs that continually held mastery over me.”

Asuega's wife, Mila, prayed for her husband and, after a night of his drinking, finally demanded that he go to church or she would leave him. That got his attention. It was during that church service where the Holy Spirit finally reached Asuega. A month later, Mila and Michael were baptized.

“Immediately after my conversion, I was fired from my job for keeping the Sabbath, but was reinstated four weeks later with all of my back pay," said Asuega. "A man dressed in a white suit came to the company and convinced them to hire me back. To this day, I do not know who that man was.”

Shortly thereafter, Asuega went back to college for his bachelor's degree and eventually completed his Master of Divinity degree at Andrews University. About 10 years ago, he accepted a stipend pastor position with the Southeastern California Conference. In 2004, Asuega moved to Hawaii to pastor the Kohala church on the Big Island. He recently accepted a call to pastor the Samoa-Tokelau church in Honolulu.

Graterol

The story for Eliezer Graterol began before his birth. His mother had been involved in an accident that left her unable to carry a baby to full term. In spite of her doctor's protests, she became pregnant. She decided to make an agreement with God. “If you give me this baby, I will dedicate, train and educate him to Your service,” she promised.

Graterol's mother took this vow with God very seriously. Eliezer, which means “God is my Helper” in Hebrew, knew from childhood that he would become a minister and missionary.

Graterol studied at Venezuelan Adventist University. After marrying a classmate, Nelly Samaan, the couple immigrated to the United States to study at Andrews University. After graduating with his M.Div. degree, he served as an assistant pastor in a church near Andrews.

In 2003, Graterol joined the pastoral team in Hawaii. Currently, he pastors the Oahu Hispanic and Waipahu churches and is in the third year of the Doctor of Ministry program at Andrews University.

“I have a passion for evangelism and teaching," says Graterol. "It has taken me to many places in the United States, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and Africa. It is Christ who enables me to faithfully minister to those who have not heard the Gospel before.”

“These two men are willing and ready to be a faithful pastors to all whom they will be called to serve, says Conference President Ralph Watts III. "The Hawaii Conference welcomes them as ordained ministers of the gospel.”