Servant-Leadership
Executive Director, Bible Institute of Hawaii
Rodney (& Miki) Wong serves at the 10th Executive Director of BIH’s long and rich history in Hawaii.
Rodney’s educational background includes a B.A., M.A., M.Div., and Th.M. earned from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and the International Graduate School of Theology. He also serves as the Lead Pastor of CrossCurrent Fellowship Manoa, where he plays a vital role in the spiritual leadership of the church.
In addition to his role at BIH, Rodney is responsible for overseeing the BIH Prison Ministry courses and serves as the BIH Student and Faculty Administrator.
Rodney’s career has been marked by a diverse range of ministry experiences, including work with Hawaii Youth For Christ, serving as an Associate Pastor and Youth Pastor in both Boston and Hawaii, Adjunct Faculty at Pacific Rim Christian University, and working as a Pediatric Mental Health Counselor at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA. His well-rounded skill set and extensive experience make him a valuable member of the BIH.
In his personal life, Rodney is married to Miki and has three young adult children Elijah, Josiah, and Mikayla. Rodney has been an Adjunct Faculty member at BIH since 2010 and assumed the role of Executive Director in July 2021. His leadership and commitment contribute significantly to BIH’s mission of providing theological education and guidance.
Board of Directors, Bible Institute of Hawaii
Rev. Ken Humphries, President
Cynthia Lai, Vice President
Rev. Kendal Fong, Secretary
Greig Porter, Treasurer
Pastor Curtis Fong
Daniel Abella
Staff, Bible Institute of Hawaii
Rodney (& Miki) Wong serves as both the Executive Director and Faculty/Student Administrator of BIH (See above for bio)
Randy (& Lenora) Stone, Volunteer Office Manager
Francis Miyazawa, Volunteer Bookkeeper
Providing more than 2,000 classes over 50 years requires a highly dedicated fellowship. We are here to serve Him! We are so grateful for many volunteers too and if you want to join our merry band, please call our office to offer YOUR service! 808-595-4708
Adjunct Faculty, Bible Institute of Hawaii
Emerita Ms. Ada Lum, “Lifetime Achievement“ Award recepient is a distinguished individual who has made a significant impact on the Christian community and education. She received her B.A. in History from Wheaton College and her M.A. in Biblical Literature from Wheaton Graduate School. Born and raised in Honolulu, she has been a dedicated member of Kalihi Union Church for over eight decades.
Ada’s deep passion for spreading the Word of God has led her on missionary journeys to 115 countries, primarily working with university students. With over 40 years of ministry experience, she has been a valued member of the BIH faculty since 1984. Throughout her career, she has also contributed her expertise to organizations like the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students and the Bible Institute of Hawaii. Ada is the author of several books and Bible studies, including “Jesus the Disciplemaker,” “A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Missions,” and “How to Begin an Evangelistic Bible Study.” Her profound knowledge and skills have earned her the respect and admiration of many in the Christian community.
Ada has served on the Adult Christian Education Committee at KUC, leaving a lasting impact on the community. Her unique teaching style and skills have inspired countless lives worldwide. She was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award during BIH’s 50-year Anniversary Celebration, further recognizing her remarkable contributions to the field of Christian education and ministry.
Emerita Dr. Rebecca “Ruby” S. Ovitt, the recipient of the “Love in Action” Award at BIH’s 50-year Anniversary Celebration, is a distinguished and long-serving member of the faculty.
Dr. Ovitt’s educational journey has taken her through various prestigious institutions, including Philippine Normal University, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Stanford University, where she earned her master’s degrees in educational administration and policy analysis. She furthered her academic pursuits by attaining a D.Min. from Hawaii Theological Seminary. With a background in education, she served as the retired principal of Hawaii Baptist Academy’s Elementary Division.
As an East-West Center Grantee, Dr. Ovitt pursued higher education in the United States from 1969-71, which marked the beginning of her remarkable career. Her outstanding service in administration and leadership has garnered recognition from numerous organizations, including the State of Hawaii Senate and House of Representatives, City and County of Honolulu, United Filipino Council, and the American Heart Association, among others. She has also received prestigious awards such as the Faculty Tribute Award from the Bible Institute of Hawaii, the Christian Service Award from Hawaii Theological Seminary, and many more.
Dr. Ovitt’s dedication extends beyond her impressive list of awards. She is a sought-after speaker at churches and organizations, sharing her insights on how God’s love can heal the broken-hearted. As an active member of University Avenue Baptist Church, she finds joy in teaching at BIH, where her knowledge and experience inspire the next generation of leaders. Her commitment to education, community service, and spiritual guidance makes her a remarkable and influential figure at BIH.
Rev. Todd A. Capen and his wife, Mary Ann Capen, are valued members of the BIH community.
Rev. Capen holds a B.A. from Biola University and an M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. He brings a wealth of experience to his role as an adjunct faculty member at BIH, having served as a pastor in various churches across California, Michigan, and Florida. Currently, he holds the position of Senior Pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Kailua.
With his extensive teaching and pastoral leadership background, Rev. Capen has been a dedicated and knowledgeable contributor to the Bible Institute of Hawaii since 2008. His presence on the faculty enhances the educational experience for students, and his pastoral expertise undoubtedly enriches the BIH community.
Chaplain Clive Cowell
B.S., Nottingham University, England; M.A. in Biblical Studies; Multnomah Biblical Seminary; Bristol Hospice Chaplain; short-term missionary to Thailand, the Philippines, Macedonia, China, and Japan; Teaching Fellow at Multnomah Seminary; former church administrator. PacRim Christian University Faculty. Served as a Pastor at Honolulu Christian Church at Kalihi Union Church. He served as the 7th Executive Director of BIH.
Dr. Mike (& Lynette) Dugal
Retired from the United States Army with 33 years of active service. He served as a military chaplain for 30 of those years and finished his career here in Hawaii. Chaplain Dugal is ordained with the Assemblies of God. He holds a B.A in Theology from Southern Bible College in Hous10n, Texas, a M.A. of Sacred Ministry from Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland, Oregon, a Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia, a Masters of Science in Strategic Studies from The Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, a M.Div. Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri, and a Ph.D. in Biblical counseling from Trinity Theological Seminary in Newberg, Indiana (Endorsed by the University of Liverpool). Mike is a Fellow with the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and bolds state licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Texas. He also serves as a certified Faith Strengths Performance Coach with Gallup University. Alsom. Beyond the Reef. Dr. Dugal and his wife, Lynette, are the proud parents of Denise and David.
Dr. Randall “Randy” Furushima and his wife, Jeanie Furushima are distinguished figures within Hawaii’s Christian community.
Dr. Furushima holds a notable educational background, including a B.A. from the University of Hawaii, an M.Ed. from Boston College, and an Ed.D. from Columbia University in New York. He has made significant contributions to the field of biblical and practical theology and is well-regarded as the co-founder and President Emeritus of BIH. Additionally, he has served as the Dean of the Graduate School and Co-chair of the Bible and Practical Theology group of the Society of Biblical Literature.
Dr. Furushima founded the Emmaus Center for Biblical Teaching, where he imparts his knowledge of Bible and theology to students in churches and seminaries across the USA, Canada, and Japan. His commitment to education and theological studies extends beyond BIH, making a positive impact on a global scale.
Dr. Furushima’s service to BIH is further highlighted by his role as the 9th Executive Director from July 2018 to June 2021, during which he played a crucial part in advancing the institution’s mission and vision. His leadership and expertise have left a lasting mark on the BIH community and its mission to provide quality theological education
Dr. James Kwong
Dr. James Kwong’s extensive background is in a variety of educational and Christian ministries. He holds a B.A. in Mathematics from The University of Hawaii at Manoa and has furthered his studies with an M.Div. in Pastoral/General and a D.Min. from Talbot School of Theology.
Dr. Kwong has a wealth of experience in ministry, having served with organizations such as Kalihi Union Church, Hawaii Youth For Christ, and the Chinese Baptist Church of Central Orange County. He also took on the role of Pastor of Administration at Faith Christian Fellowship.
Currently, Dr. Kwong is engaged in education as he works at Kaimuki Christian School in the Student Services department and athletic coaching. His background in mathematics and theological studies, coupled with his extensive experience in ministry, brings a unique perspective to his current role. He and his family attend Kalihi Union Church where he also conducts Sunday School classes.
Pastor Gary Lau
Gary Lau is the creator of the Learn the Bible Fast methodology. He has been a National Instructor for Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, teaching pastor for New Hope Central Oahu, and Executive Dean and Adjunct Faculty with Pacific Rim Christian University. Gary has a B.A. from the University of Hawaii and a M.Div. from King’s Seminary.
Pastor Earl Morihara
B.Ed in Secondary English & M.A ESL University of Hawaii at Manoa, M.A Christian Ministry Pacific Rim Christian College, Mililani Campus Pastor at New Hope Central Oahu, Lead Translator for the Hawaii Pidgin Bible and proud Hawaii Pidgin speaker with roots in Waipahu.
Dr. Bong R. (Alma) Ro
B.A. Bible, Columbia International University; B.A. History, Wheaton College; M.Div. Covenant Theological Seminary; S.T.M. & Th.D. Concordia Lutheran Seminary; OMF Missionary: Singapore (1970-74), Taiwan (1975-89), Korea (1990-2000); Hawaii Theological Seminary (2000-2009), Director of Korean Program; Hawaii Theological Seminary, President. BIH adjunct faculty since 2009.
Bong and Alma Ro have served with Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF) for 30 years: Singapore (1970-74), Taiwan (1975-89); Korea (1990-2000). Bong has taught at different seminaries in these countries. Bong also served as the Executive Secretary of Asia Theological Association (1970-90) and the International Director of the Theological Commission of WEA (1990-96). Since 2000 Bong has taught at Hawaii Theological Seminary (former International College and Graduate School) and Pacific Rim Christian College.
Dr. Martha Stinton
B.F.A. Art History, Northern Arizona University; M.A., Biblical Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary; D.Min., Gordon- Conwell Theological Seminary. Vice President for Academic Affairs, Pacific Rim Christian University. Co-pastor New Hope Kailua. A women’s conference speaker in Xouzou, China; Brisbane, Australia; Langley, British Columbia, and Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
Dr. Rick Stinton
B.S. and B.Ed., University of Calgary; Th.M.; D.Min., Dallas Theological Seminary. Senior Pastor at New Hope Kailua, which was planted in 2007 along with his wife, Dr. Martha Stinton. He is also on the faculty at Pacific Rim Christian University and BIH adjunct faculty.
Dr. Rick Bartosik
D.Min. and Th.M., Dallas Theological Seminary; B.A., Trinity International University; and Diploma, Moody Bible Institute. Pastor Rick has served the Lord in Hawaii for over 40 years. During that time, he has also ministered God’s Word in 12 countries of Europe and Asia. He has served as Chaplain of Hawaii State Prison, Professor and Academic Dean of International College, Interim Pastor of three local churches: and for 21 years, Senior Pastor of Mililani Community Church. Most recently he established the Myanmar Church Planter Training Partnership” in collaboration with national leaders in Myanmar, Burma, training church planters throughout the nation. He and his wife Diane met in Hawaii. Their son, David, is lead pastor of a local church in Madison, Wisconsin. One of Pastor Rick’s favorite hobbies is fly-fishing. Pastor Rick last taught for BIH in 2015.
Dr. Matt Sanders
M.A. in Theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; Ph.D. in Theology, University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Lead Pastor at Waialae Baptist Church and is adjunct faculty with The Bible Institute of Hawaii and Pacific Rim Christian University. Former professor at The College at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Ms. Nanette Williams
BA., Physics, Cornell University; Master of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Master of Air Mobility, Air Force Institute of Technology; and MA., Christian Ministry, Pacific Rim Christian University. Retired U.S. Air Force. She currently serves on the faculty at Pacific Rim Christian University, while working to earn her M.Div. degree.
State Representative Elijah Pierick, House District 39, Chaplain
BA., Christian Ministry, MA, Christian Studies, M.Div.(Chaplaincy Concentration) from Pacific Rim Christian University. He is currently earning his
Doctorate of Ministry: Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University.
He has earned 4 Units of Clinical Pastoral Education and became a Board-Certified Chaplain with the Spiritual Care Association. He is an Ordained Pastor and Endorsed Chaplain with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. He holds membership with the Association of ClinicalPastoral Education, Clinical Pastoral Education International, American Association of Christian Counselors, and with the Foursquare Scholars Fellowship. He has served as a University Chaplain, Counselor, University Instructor, Religious Education Director, Bible Teacher, and Multi-church Council President. He currently serves as an Assisting Pastor with Encounter Church Honolulu, Teaching Pastor with the Floor Church, Chaplain with Bristol Hospice Hawaii, and is an Air Force Chaplain Candidate.
Dr. Gary Manning
B.Ed., University of Hawaii: M.Div., Talbot School of Theology; Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary; Dr. Manning is the Director of the Master of Divinity program Professor of New Testament Language and Literature at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He is passionate about helping leaders in the church interpret and teach the Scriptures more faithfully and more powerfully. His research studies included the Gospel of John, the Synoptic Gospels, literary approaches to interpretation, and the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament. He is the author of Hippocratic Oath: An Illustrated Greek-English Reader’s Edition (GlossaHouse, 2021). Peter Rabbit and Other Stories in Koine Greek (GlossaHouse, 2020), and Echoes of a Prophet: The Use of Ezekiel in the Gospel of John and in Literature of the Second Temple Period (T&T Clark, 2004). Member and Presenter at the Evangelical Theological Society and the Society of Biblical Literature. Dr. Manning has been involved in various kinds of Christian ministry for over thirty years, including youth ministry, church planting, and teaching ministry, and still maintains active ministry in the church. He taught for BIH in 2010. Gary and his wife Barbara have ten children and two grandchildren.
Dr. J.R. Cuevas
B.S. in Biology, UC San Diego; M.Div. and D.Min. in Expository Preaching, Master’s Seminary. J.R. served as a Pastor and Elder at Grace Church Kalama Valley, as a High School Teacher at Kaimuki Christian School, and as Adjunct Faculty for Bethlehem College and Seminary. He is the author of “Skillfully Surveying the Scriptures Volume 1: Genesis through Esther” and “The Danger of Hypocrisy: Coming to Grips with Jesus’ Most Damning Sermon,” and “The Parable of Sports.” He is certified by both the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors and the Association of Christian Schools International as a Bible specialist. He has been a keynote speaker for international pastors’ conferences in the Philippines, India, and Honduras. J.R. is married to the most exemplary woman in the world, Kathy, and they have two wonderful children, Jayden, and Emma.
Dr. Shan Chen
Ph.D. in Translation Studies from Binghamton University, State University of New York; M.A. in Communication from University of Hawaii at Manoa, and B.A. in English language from a major university in Beijing, China. Her Ph.D. project is the Protestant Chinese Bible translation. A translator, conference and pulpit interpreter, Shan translated the classical Egermeier’s Bible Story Book into Chinese. Titled 《全家人的 圣经故事》, it is published by a Christian publishing house in China and is available on Amazon. She is an associate for Nida School of Translation Studies, the American Bible Society in Italy in 2019. Shan is a BIH alumnus and holds a Certificate for Biblical Studies. Born and raised in China, Shan has made many mission trips to China throughout the years, one of them was serving as an interpreter for Ada Lum when the latter was invited to teach there
Pastor Rodney Wong, the Executive Director of BIH
B.A., M.A., M.Div., and Th.M. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and International Graduate School of Theology. He currently serves as the Lead Pastor of CrossCurrent Fellowship Manoa and is the BIH Student and Faculty Administrator and oversees the BIH Prison Ministry courses. Past experience working with Hawaii Youth For Christ, serving as an Associate Pastor and Youth Pastor in Boston and Hawaii, and working as a Pediatric Mental Health Counselor at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA. Adjunct Faculty at Pacific Rim Christian University. He is married to Miki and have three young adult children Elijah, Josiah, and Mikayla. Rodney has been an Adjunct Faculty member at BIH since 2010 and assumed the role of Executive Director in July 2021.
Rev. Ken Humphries
Pastor Dale Vallejo-Sanderson
M.Div., Fuller Theological Seminary. Senior Pastor of Kailua Christian Church . Served as pastor and youth pastor in other churches for over 40 years in Hawaii. Wife, Bev with three sons and daughter in laws and two wonderful granddaughters. I have a passion for God’s church to become genuine, deeply devoted, emotionally and spiritually healthy people who love and serve God and others more freely. I love my family, most people fairly easily, traveling, sharing good coffee and conversations and movies.
Mr. Elijah Yip
B.A., the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa; J.D. summa cum laude, William S. Richardson School of Law; church planter and lay pastor, Shalom Chinese Christian Church (2007-2013); President, Mauka-Makai Ministries; President, HisBiz Ministries. Elijah is passionate about helping others develop a love for the Word of God. He is frequently invited by churches to preach or lead Bible studies. Elijah is an attorney in private practice specializing in civil litigation, tech law, and environmental law. In addition to teaching on Christian subjects, he often speaks about legal topics including law and technology, privacy, and open government, and has taught at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawai‘i and the Communications and Journalism Departments at UH-Manoa. He and the family reside on the Big Island.
Pastor Ty Tamasaka
M.A. in Christian Ministry, Pacific Rim Christian University in addition to B.S. in both Psychology and Religious Studies from the University of Hawaii at Hilo. In addition to having served as a Lead Pastor, Youth Pastor, and Teaching Pastor, in Hilo and Honolulu, Ty serves as an a Teaching Faculty for Pacific Rim Christian University and has authored two books including, Starting Fresh: Following Jesus on the Adventure of a Lifetime and More than a Conqueror: 5 Pathways to Personal Revival both of which can be found on his website tytamasaka.com along with life-devotions, leadership articles, and a teaching podcast.
Ty joins the teaching faculty at the Bible Institute of Hawaii with a heart to bring Biblical encouragement for life, love, and leadership.
Mrs. Cheryl Takabayashi-Foo
B.A., the University of Washington in Political Science and Japanese Language and Literature; J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law; M.A., Argosy University in Marriage and Family Therapy. For the past two years, I’ve served on staff at Wellspring Covenant Church as Director Meaningful Discipleship, co-leading classes with Pastor Dale that encourage a lifestyle of emotionally healthy spirituality and meaningful relationships with God and others. I also have a law practice where I specialize in wills, trusts, and probate. I value good relationships, deep conversations, and people. I am grateful for opportunities to serve and help others. Other passions I enjoy: spending time with my husband Nathan, my two children Rylan and Jensen, and my two stepdaughters Bethany and Jessica; good food; good books; a day of rest; and most recently…traveling!
Mr. Brandon Edmunds
B.A., English, Cal Poly SLO CA; M.Div., Westminster Seminary, California; Th.M., Biblical Theology, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA. Brandon teaches Bible and Theology for Trinity Christian School in Kailua and is an elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) also in Kailua. He and his wife Anna have been married for 7+ years and have two children.