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Our Staff & Leadership

  • Pastor:  Rev. Christopher Czarnecki
  • Office Administrator:  Steve Straatman
  • Organist:
  • Moderator:  Robert Ahia
  • Vice Moderator:  Vacant
  • Clerk:  Vacant
  • Treasurer:  Vacant
  • Youth Representative:  Vacant
  • Member at Large:  Betty Nekoba, Gail Kagawa, Jane McLean, Debbie Sasan(Christian Hospitality Chair), Fay Jack (Pastoral Relations Chair), Joanne Pocsidio (Worship Chair),  Dave Donaldson (Missions Committee Chair)
  • Repair/Maintenance Chair:  Vacant

If you are a member of the church and would like serve on the church’s leadership team, please reach out to one of our current council members.  We thank all those giving their time, talent, and service to our church!!

Our Pastor

Rev. Christopher Czarnecki

“This is where God has called me to be.”

Rev. Christopher is married to his beloved wife Akeera L. Czarnecki and together they are raising three children here in Hilo, Daveyion, Shanel, and Carter.

Christopher first received a call to ministry while attending a Unity Church in St. Louis Missouri. The Unity Church, which was founded by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, nurtured his spirituality and fostered a deep love within him for the life, teachings, and ministry of Jesus. After completing his MBA in Business Administration at Missouri Baptist University, Christopher moved to Lee’s Summit Missouri where he begin attending seminary at Unity Institute & Seminary in 2013.

In 2014, Christopher made his way to the United Church of Christ and transferred to Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis Missouri. While back in St. Louis, Christopher and Akeera found a new place to call home at Christ Church UCC in Maplewood Missouri. They often credit Christ Church UCC, as the place where they learned how to be a family together. The church supported their family, and Christopher, as he made his way through seminary.

Christopher graduated from Eden Theological Seminary on May 18th, 2018, and he was ordained on January 27th, 2019 at Christ Church UCC. Many of Christopher’s passions in ministry include study of the historical Jesus, spiritual enrichment and education, liberation theology, biblical social justice, interfaith work, and making the church a worship space that welcomes the diversity of all people.

Christopher was called to be the Settled Pastor of First United Protestant Church on January 6th, 2019. Christopher and his family moved to Hilo during the last few days of February and he began official duties as the new pastor on March 1st.

Since his arrival Pastor Chris has been working on the revitalization of the church as it seeks to embody its new mission and vision. He is excited about new and existing visitors who want to deepen their relationship with God and discover how they can live out their faith in our local community and the greater world each day by making a difference.

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