Woman's Board of Missions gathers for annual meeting and luncheon

Submitted by Melinda Ahn, Woman's Board of Missions

The air was charged with love and excitement as the Woman's Board of Missions for the Pacific Islands celebrated with their 156th annual meeting at Central Union Church on July 11, 2026. Kahu Daryl Hee of First Chinese Church of Christ set the tone with his musical reflections on God's love, strength and grace. Rev. Lauren Buck Medeiros captured our attention with her joy and laughter in her keynote address, "Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow". We all shared with each other about what gives us strength and hope. She brought her Marshallese friends who gifted us with songs and lei and skirts to sell with the proceeds going to our work. Ryan Catalani, CEO of Family Promise, brought to life one of the mission organizations the WBM supports, and caused us to truly appreciate the advancements Family Promise has made over the past 20 years.

Thirteen churches were represented in this filled room, along with Hawai‘i Conference staff members, one of our scholarship recipients, as well as friends from as far away as Germany.  The Woman's Board of Missions is enthusiastic about the missions and ministries that are in the making for the coming year.