Meet our Staff

Sterling Lee

Senior Pastor

Born and raised in Hawaii, Sterling grew up in Pearl City attending elementary, intermediate, and high school there. He attended the University of Hawaii, earning a B.A. in Religion, and later received an MDiv. at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He has served in several churches on the Big Island and Oahu, as well as student ministries on the campuses of the University of Hawaii Manoa, and the Hawaii Baptist Academy. Married to his wife Jan, they have two beautiful daughters, Rhysa and Rhynne, and two beagles, Freddie, and Snoopy.

Carolyn Izumigawa

cizumigawa@fbcpearlcity.com

Associate Minister of Administrative Services

Since getting baptized as a high school freshmen, to working part-time (1994) to full-time (since 1996) here at her home church, Carolyn has enjoyed serving her church family. She is glad to help fulfill the needs of our congregation, whether it is for more toilet paper to providing info to aid our different ministries. Her BA in accounting from UH and MA in Christian Ed (youth ministry focus) from Southern Seminary, 2-year journeyman experience in Venezuela as well as serving in youth/young adult ministries here and abroad has allowed her to serve God and her church in various ways. She looks forward to many more years, by the grace and mercy of God, to serve our church family.

Joanne Arakaki

jarakaki@fbcpearlcity.com

Associate Minister of Music and Worship

Joanne grew up in Pearl City and first attended FBC Pearl City at the invitation of a friend when she was in the first grade! She graduated from Waipahu High School and went on to the University of Hawaii, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development. Prior to joining the staff at FBCPC, she worked in a non-profit organization matching volunteers with needs in the community. Music has always been a part of Joanne’s life and she has been a part of the church’s music/worship ministry since she was a youth. The church family has nurtured, mentored, and encouraged her through the years and she is honored to serve them along with her fellow staff members.

Rob Lockridge
Associate Minister of Children's Ministries

Rob was raised in Charleston, South Carolina, but has been mainly living in Hawaii since 1994. He accepted Jesus into his life shortly thereafter at First Baptist Church of Pearl City. Rob earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, and a Masters of Science in Software Engineering from National University in California. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky. Rob has served in churches both on the mainland and Oahu. He served as the Campus Minister of Hawaii Baptist Academy, and is also a Professor of Biblical History at Wayland Baptist University.

Elden "PK" Kaeo
Church Planting Intern

Keiko Ishiwata

kishiwata@fbcpearlcity.com

Associate Minister of the Japanese Speaking Congregation

Having grown up in Yokohama, Japan, Keiko graduated from International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan with a Bachelor's degree in religious studies. After teaching at a Christian school in Yokohama for eight years, she came to the United States to prepare herself for Christian ministry. She graduated from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas with a Master of Divinity degree in 1995. She served as a chaplain-in-training in Honolulu and Kansas for a total of one year, and joined our church staff in 1996. Keiko loves stand-up paddle boarding and "shoten" (a Japanese TV comedy show).

Jeannette Choy

Associate Minister of Youth

Jeannette was born and raised on Oahu and has attended Christian schools all her life, however, her relationship with Jesus only began growing in 2006. A significant part of her faith was teaching in FBC Pearl City’s Youth Department, where she taught 11th and 12th graders for about 5 years. She has been attending FBC Pearl City since 1998 as a high schooler when Sterling Lee, now the Senior Pastor, was the Youth Director. Jeannette received her BA in Psychology and Master’s in Social Work from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a Master’s in Missiology from Gateway Seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention. She believes it is an honor and blessing when God allows you to work for your church family. Jeannette enjoys playing basketball, spending time with family, and catching up with friends.

"PK" hails from Texas and is married to Dana and has one biological son, Genesis Kanawai Josiah Kaeo and one foster son, Yuuki A.. He completed his bachelors degree at Baptist Bible College of Springfield, MO. His seminary work was at Talbot School of Theology and is presently wrapping up DMin Degree through Newburgh Theological Seminary. He is a Certified John Maxwell Leadership Speaker/Coach. He has served in ministry for the past 15 years and served as youth pastor for 5 years in Texas. One interesting fact: Pk was also a gospel hip hop artist and signed with Xealot Records in 2006, and authored his first book in 2016. Hobbies: I love to hang with my family, write, read, write music, listen to music, sports, sugar, and go to the theater.
Favorite Words: Much Love!