Arise Church wasn’t always Arise Church
OUR STORY
How it all started...
Arise Church started as Sure Foundation Hilo back in April 2004. Sure Foundation Hilo was an extension of Sure Foundation Puna, Pastored by Lorin and Patty Carmichael. During that time, Evan was the Worship Pastor. As Sure Foundation Hilo grew, Pastor Lorin and Pastor Evan would tag team every other weekend between the two church locations in Puna and Hilo. Eventually, Pastor Lorin decided that he would like to focus all of his time and energies into Sure Foundation Puna and turned over the Hilo location to Pastor Evan and Shinobu in 2008. At the same time, Sure Foundation Hilo purchased 2.2 acres of land on Ponahawai Street to build a new church home.
The Carmichaels in 2008.
From right to left: Pastor Lorin & Patty Carmichael, Pastor Evan & Shinobu Carmichael.
Sunday service in the Prince Kuhio Plaza.
Expanding the vision...
One of the first goals was to find a new location to meet. After a few months, they secured a 10,000-foot space in the Prince Kuhio Plaza shopping center. Sure Foundation Hilo moved in and a few days later moved out due to building and fire code complications. After an arduous seven months, they were finally able to move into the new location. The church continued to grow in that season. Sure Foundation Hilo remained in that location for five years until they were forced to move due to Pier 1 taking over the lease.
Growing through seasons...
Not knowing the next step and not having many options in Hilo, Pastor Evan began to pray for a meeting space. Within a few days, a space miraculously presented itself. The following month, they moved into the old Kress Cinemas in downtown Hilo. The next 18 months in the Kress building were fruitful. During that time, development went into full gear for the new church on Ponahawai Street. Pastor Evan also began to feel that it was time to change the church's name to give it an identity of its own. The name "Arise" started to stir in his spirit. There was also another relocation coming for the church as the owners of Kress Building had other plans for the space.
Sunday service in the Kress Theater
Currently…
In June of 2016, Sure Foundation Hilo became Arise Church and relocated to their current meeting location at The ARC of Hilo. Not only did Arise Church change their location and name, but for the first time, they became a mobile church. They had to set up and break down every weekend and deal with the challenges that accompany it. Every step of the way, the people of Arise Church have always risen to the challenge. Now, in this post-COVID age, we continue to press on and build. Our permits are secured, our land has been cleared, and the building process is in full swing. Our story isn't over; it's just beginning.
If you’re checking Arise Church out, learn more about who we are!
Learn more about our current building project.
Be apart of our story. Join us every Sunday as we gather to worship together at 8 am & 10 am