As a former member and a member, I, Elisha Kaneali’i grew up attending The Church of Jesus Christ Forever. Moving to Oregon, Illinois during my fourth-grade year was not an easy transition. I was used to having a lot of friends in school and went to having none. It was very hard trying to make friends in this new small-town school where kids were not as nice.
And then of course in the 80’s, the “cult” issue started. That was not easy. “Why are people so mean in this town?” I thought to myself. Moving ahead, I decided I desired the worldly ways more than serving God, and I wanted out of this small-town gossip!
Out to the world I went, and boy, was I wrong! I hit dead end upon dead end. Nothing worked out for me. I was seeking happiness and it was nowhere to be found! Ashamed of what I had become and the choices I had made, I knew I needed a change, and I also knew where I could find it. I called my mom and said “Please come get me, I’m done!” And my mother came to get me in Minneapolis and pastor, Rev. Kale F. Aluli accompanied her to come pick me up. I needed a big change. I wanted and needed God. The church is where I knew there was truthfulness and cleanliness. I made my way back to Christ!
Rev. Roselani Aluli-James is my best friend / sister, and we together became strong in the Word of God. Tutored under her dad, the pastor of The Church of Jesus Christ Forever, Rev. Kale F. Aluli, we became youth ministers. Receiving ordination in 2001, we helped the youth to become better and pointed them in the direction of becoming sinless. It IS POSSIBLE IN THE WORLD! And many of them have, and are, moving forward in that direction. Some chose otherwise.
My pastor, who I wholeheartedly refer to as my “Uncle”, had done everything to get me back on my feet from a world that ate me up. He spent countless hours listening to me and counseling me. He told me that he felt I would be a fashion designer. I answered “Really! That is something I had always dreamed of doing.” Of course many of you will say he dictates our professions but this is actually something I had always wanted and no one ever knew. He was giving me counsel by the Spirit not for any gain of his own. I went back to school and got an Associate’s degree in Applied Science in Fashion Design and started my own business in Hawaii in 2007! I have had a successful 15 years in business. I have been in fashion magazines, fashion shows, and have helped hundreds of brides!
Dancing was my other dream. Well, guess what? I started dancing hula in 2010. The Lord quickly advanced me in hula and I have been a soloist for many years.
The Lord let me meet my wonderful husband in the Islands and we married in 2016. He is the Love of my LIFE to say the least. God has never failed me, nor has my church ever failed me. We live a life of joy and happiness despite rumors and hatefulness. It always amazes me that many people tell their children, family and friends NOT to bully. And sometimes they even hold fundraisers against bullying in schools, yet the parents do it all day long on social media. Wow, what a world of hypocrisy!!
We love and serve Him in purity and love!
Rev. Elisha Kaneali’i
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