Connect Ministry Pastor
debbiel@hopechapel.com
Family:
Marc & Debra Lawton, Tatiana & Tiana Grant
How did you first start coming to HCKB?
I first started coming to Hope Chapel way back in 1983 when Aaron Suzuki was making the church bulletins in the architect’s office that I worked in at the Pali Palms Plaza. At that time, Pastor Ralph’s secretary Susie Beach invited me to attend a service at Heeia Kea State Park.
What is one thing that you love about HCKB?
One thing that is unique to Hope Chapel is the inspiring teaching and worship.
What do you love most about working for HCKB?
Meeting new people and making them feel comfortable on the church campus.
Who is the most influential person in your life?
The most influential person in my life would have to be Pastor Ralph and his wife Ruby. They have been good role models for me growing up in the church.
What inspires you?
New believers inspire me the most, watching them step out in faith and trusting a spirit being that cannot be seen.
Any Hidden Talents?
Not being able to remember things, although I wouldn’t really say it’s a talent…
Life Long Goal:
To be able to sit and paint a landscape using oil painting.
Little Known Fact About Me:
I like to surf but am getting too old to keep doing it.
Favorites:
Book (other than the Bible):
The Shack was an excellent book. Experiencing the trinity from a different perspective.
Movie:
Becoming Jane
Restaurant:
Romano’s Macaroni Grill
Food:
Italian: veal marsala, Japanese: tempura, sukiyaki, butter fish misoyaki.
Ice Cream:
My favorite ice cream is Rum Raisin and Rocky Road
Drink @ Starbucks:
Mocha Frappachino with whipped cream please!
Song:
On My Knees by Jaci Velasquez
Childhood Memory:
My favorite childhood memory would be hitting guavas down a steep hill in Kalihi Valley with a homemade golf club made from guava wood.
Is there anything else you would like people to know about you?
That I grew up in Kalihi Valley was suppose to go to school at Dole Intermediate and Farrington High School but instead got a GE and went to Stevenson Intermediate School and graduated with the class of 1977 at Roosevelt High School. My best friends at that time were from Anianiku and Papakolea. Ironman the first women’s crossing of the Molokai to Oahu canoe race in the late 70’s. Was led to the Lord by my classmate Corey Grinder in 1981.
I met Pastor Aaron Suzuki and Pastor Ralph’s secretary, Susie Beach when I was working at an architect’s office in the Pali Palms Plaza where the first church office was located. They held services at Heeia Kea State Park or Ulumau Village as it was called back then. On Sunday mornings I would come early to help them set-up the chairs and the book table, I later started working for them in 1983 to 1994 then moved to Kilauea (north side) Kauai till 1997 then moved back to Oahu and started working for the church again; publishing, bookstore and now with Pastor Rob McWilliams in the Connect Ministry and HCKB Welcome Lounge.
