CONFERENCE VISION
"Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."
2 Timothy 2:21
At Upgrade 2026, our desire is to encounter God in a way that transforms us from the inside out. Holiness is not about following a list of rules, it is about being set apart by God, refined by His Spirit, and prepared for His purposes.
Our prayer is that throughout this weekend, every person would draw closer to Christ, allow Him to shape their hearts, and leave ready to live out the calling He has placed on their life.
Set Apart. Refined for Purpose. Prepared for More.
Our prayer is that throughout this weekend, every person would draw closer to Christ, allow Him to shape their hearts, and leave ready to live out the calling He has placed on their life.
Set Apart. Refined for Purpose. Prepared for More.
Pastor Mark Stinton
Pastor Mark Stinton graduated from Trinity Western University in Canada, where he earned a BA in Psychology and Sociology, along with a certificate in Human Services. He later earned his Master’s in Christian Ministry from Pacific Rim Christian University, where he now teaches Missions and Doctrine.
He’s an ordained Foursquare pastor, the Lead Pastor of New Hope Kailua, and serves on the councils and boards of several nonprofits. He has a huge heart for missions, the local community, healthy relationships, Hawaii, and helping people follow Jesus well.
Mark and his wife, Meighan, a Marriage and Family Therapist, have five amazing kids. Between pastoring a church, teaching college students, serving nonprofits, and raising five children, Mark has somehow decided he still needs hobbies. He’s a Jurassic Park fanatic, Star Wars buff, reptile enthusiast, reggae lover, 'Aina steward, woodworker, and a house remodeler. Mark deeply desires for his life and ministry to be a bridge for people to access God's love and transformational power.
He’s an ordained Foursquare pastor, the Lead Pastor of New Hope Kailua, and serves on the councils and boards of several nonprofits. He has a huge heart for missions, the local community, healthy relationships, Hawaii, and helping people follow Jesus well.
Mark and his wife, Meighan, a Marriage and Family Therapist, have five amazing kids. Between pastoring a church, teaching college students, serving nonprofits, and raising five children, Mark has somehow decided he still needs hobbies. He’s a Jurassic Park fanatic, Star Wars buff, reptile enthusiast, reggae lover, 'Aina steward, woodworker, and a house remodeler. Mark deeply desires for his life and ministry to be a bridge for people to access God's love and transformational power.
Sarah Kay
Sarah Kay was born and raised on the island of Oʻahu and has been involved in ministry since her high school years, when her father, Pastor Steve Rivera, helped spearhead the Praise Chapel North Shore church plant. Since then, Sarah has served the Lord in a variety of ministries, including children’s ministry, worship, and youth, developing a heart for serving people and helping the next generation grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Sarah earned her Bachelor’s degree from Pacific Rim Christian University and currently serves as the Youth Director of Center Church Youth alongside her husband, Hiʻilawe Kay. Together, they have a heart to see young people encounter God, discover their identity in Christ, and live boldly for Him.
Outside of ministry, Sarah is a wife and creative. Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, she has a deep love for her home, her family, and capturing meaningful moments through photography. Whether she is serving in ministry, leading the next generation, or creating behind the camera, Sarah desires to use the gifts God has given her to love people well and point them back to Jesus.
At the center of Sarah’s life is a genuine love for God and a desire to faithfully follow wherever He leads. Her heart is to see women and young people know Jesus personally, walk confidently in who God has called them to be, and live lives fully set apart for Him.
Sarah earned her Bachelor’s degree from Pacific Rim Christian University and currently serves as the Youth Director of Center Church Youth alongside her husband, Hiʻilawe Kay. Together, they have a heart to see young people encounter God, discover their identity in Christ, and live boldly for Him.
Outside of ministry, Sarah is a wife and creative. Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, she has a deep love for her home, her family, and capturing meaningful moments through photography. Whether she is serving in ministry, leading the next generation, or creating behind the camera, Sarah desires to use the gifts God has given her to love people well and point them back to Jesus.
At the center of Sarah’s life is a genuine love for God and a desire to faithfully follow wherever He leads. Her heart is to see women and young people know Jesus personally, walk confidently in who God has called them to be, and live lives fully set apart for Him.