In a formal ceremony at the Puna church, Pastor Stephen "Keala" Thompson was ordained for the gospel ministry. Members from the Puna and Honokaa churches, along with friends, family and colleagues, rejoiced with Thompson, his wife Yvette and daughter Ania, as they celebrated his call to ministry.

"I feel overwhelmed with the support I experienced today through the attendance of my fellow colleagues and church members," said Thompson. "I can feel the love of everyone, and I will long remember this event as a special day in my life."

Conference President Ralph Watts III encouraged Thompson with three points taken from the story of Elijah and Elisha: (1) Don't be satisfied to just watch from a distance; (2) The secret to being filled with the Spirit is to relentlessly follow Christ; and (3) Choose to follow wherever Christ leads.

Thompson, born and raised in Hilo, spent much of his life in the islands as a "local boy." He spent a great deal of time trying to fill the emptiness in his heart. At a low point in his life, he participated in a mission trip to Fiji which changed his life forever. There he met a friend who encouraged him to attend Weimar College to further his education and develop a deeper experience with God. It was at Weimar that he felt called to ministry.

In June of 1998, Thompson graduated from Weimar with a degree in pastoral ministry and returned to the Hawaiian islands to work as the youth coordinator on Maui. In 1999, he was called to pastor the Kohala and Honokaa churches, and in 2004, he moved to the Honokaa and Puna churches where he currently serves.

Early in his ministry at the Honokaa church, a Bible prophecy seminar resulted in 10 baptisms. One of those baptized, Yvette, eventually became his wife. Together, they want to help with "healing wounded hearts and restoring broken relationships in the community of Hawaii."

"God has a special plan and ministry for Elder Thompson," said Watts. "His ordination is a recognition of how God is using him in reaching the lost and leading them to Christ. We are grateful to have him as part of our pastoral team here in Hawaii."