Meet the Pastor: Filomeno "Fil" Kakilala, Jr.
Q&A
Q: Tell us something about yourself
A: I am a Filipino-American, the son of a WWII veteran who served in the US Army in Okinawa, Japan. I was born in Manila, Philippines and first came to the US in 1980. My parents did their best to raise four sons and three daughters and I'm right in the middle as the fourth child. I was a teenager when my sister, Nora, shared the Gospel with me using the verse John 3:16, and I accepted Jesus as my Savior. Now I would like to share the Gospel with others.
Q: Are you married with children?
A: Yes, I am happily married to Lisa who is from Oregon. She is a teacher at Lanakila Baptist High School. We first met at church camp in Eastern Oregon and we were married in 1988. We have four wonderful children. Daughter Susann and her husband Joshua Pickard are music major students at Central Baptist College in Arkansas. Our first granddaughter is Noelani Kakilala Pickard. Second daughter Charisa is also a CBC student. Our son Matthew attends Lanakila Baptist High School. Our youngest, Justine, is in home school using the Abeka curriculum. My wife and my children have been my faithful co-laborers in the ministry.
Q: How did you prepare yourself for the ministry?
A: I led Bible studies on campus while I was a student at the University of St. La Salle in Bacollod City, Philippines. Right after I finished my Bachelor's degree in Agribusiness management, I entered into full time Christian ministry. I pursued graduate studies in Texas at the BMA Theological Seminary where I completed Master of Divinity, and Master of Religious Education degrees. I also graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with a Master of Sacred Theology degree. My previous pastoral experience has been as pastor of Baptist churches in the Philippines, California, Oregon, and Washington State, and served as a youth and music minister in East Texas. The Lord has graciously given me opportunities to travel and preach in other countries and throughout the United States with my family. I was a Christian school principal for several years in the Philippines and California. As a bivocational pastor for several years, the Lord helped me develop community outreach skills as a supervisor and administrative law hearings representative for the State of Oregon's Seniors and People with Disabilities Services.
Q: What brought you to Hawaii?
A: The Lord first impressed in my heart to become a missionary on Oahu in 1992, but led me to wait for His perfect timing. During a family vacation in Hawaii, the Lord reaffirmed His call for me to become a missionary here after seeing the need for the Gospel of Christ. We have since started Ali'i Baptist Church in the Ewa Beach-Waipahu community. Our first promotional service at Waipahu Elementary School Cafeteria was on Mother's Day of 2007. The Lord provided for us another place for Sunday worship at Lanakila Baptist High School in the historic Ewa community. I'd like to invite you to celebrate with us in the promises of God for His redeemed children. To God be the glory as Alii Baptist Church was officially organized into a New Testament church last May 15, 2011. The church is reaching out in the Pacific as mission groups have been formed in the Pearl harbor area, and in Chuuk State, Micronesia. Please pray for us.
