Our KMC Staff
SENIOR PASTOR | KELLY BENTON
pastorkelly@kapaamissionary.com
Pastor Kelly honorably served in the United States Army for over twelve years. He began his military career as an Infantry Soldier with the 25th Infantry Division, 1-27 Wolfhounds, where he completed an initial three-year tour. During his service, Pastor Kelly sensed a clear calling to serve a higher authority—Jesus Christ—and transitioned into the role of Chaplain Assistant, continuing to serve both God and Country.
As a Chaplain Assistant, Pastor Kelly served with the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii and later with the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. His military service took him to numerous locations, including Hawaii, Haiti, Guam, Thailand, Japan, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, and Iraq, giving him a broad perspective on leadership, service, and ministry in diverse environments.
Following his military service, Pastor Kelly answered God’s call to pastoral ministry, serving as Senior Pastor at Glen Elder Christian Church in Glen Elder, Kansas; Fertile Church of Christ in Fertile, Iowa; and Leon Christian Church in Leon, Kansas, before accepting the call to serve at Kapa‘a Missionary Church.
Pastor Kelly holds an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Concordia Theologica Institute and Biblical Studies, a Bachelor’s Degree in Practical Ministry from the Evangelical Protestant Church Seminary, and has completed extensive leadership and ministry training through the United States Military.
Pastor Kelly and his wife, Stacy, are the proud parents of eight children, four sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and nine grandchildren.
DIR. OF MAINTENANCE PASTOR GENE MORIGUCHI
gene@kapaamissionary.com
Pastor Gene is a graduate of the Missionary Church Pastoral Leadership Institute (PLI) and has been a faithful member of Kapa‘a Missionary Church since 1997. He served as Interim Overseer of KMC from September 2021 to May 2022, and later as Associate Pastor from June 2022 through December 2024, providing steady leadership during seasons of transition and growth.
Pastor Gene retired from the Hawai‘i National Guard after 40 years of service, where he worked as a Radar Technician and Supervisor, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and responsibility.
Pastor Gene and his wife, Carol, are blessed with four grown children and seven grandchildren, and they continue to invest faithfully in their church family and community.
YOUTH/ CHILDREN DIR.
KALEB CARSON
kaleb@kapaamissionary.com
Kaleb comes to us from Houston, Texas, where he grew up in a small church and first committed his life to Jesus while attending youth group. From an early age, his faith was shaped through strong community, discipleship, and a love for serving others.
In the spring of 2023, Kaleb attended Anchor House School of the Bible on Kaua‘i, where he deepened his biblical foundation while actively serving with Kaua‘i Christian Fellowship’s sports ministry and high school youth ministry. During this season, Kaleb developed a passion for mentoring students and using relational ministry to help young people grow in their faith.
In the summer of 2023, Kaleb was selected to intern at Līhu‘e Missionary Church, serving as a youth group teacher. His dedication, leadership, and heart for students led to him joining the staff at Kapa‘a Missionary Church in January 2024.
Outside of church ministry, Kaleb works as a personal trainer at Kaua‘i Athletic Club in Līhu‘e. He enjoys movies, board games, and spending quality time with friends and family—whether gathered around a dinner table or out at the beach playing volleyball.
Stacie has been part of the Kapa‘a Missionary Church family since 1982 and has faithfully served in a variety of ministries over the years. Her areas of service have included Infant Care, Sunday School, and Youth Ministry Co-Coordinator, as well as serving as a substitute aide in the preschool during the early 1980s.
Born and raised on Kaua‘i as one of ten children, Stacie has a deep love for people and strong roots in the local community. She married her husband, Joe, in June 1975, and together they have three adult children and five grandchildren.
Stacie began serving part-time as the church receptionist on March 11, 1992, and later transitioned into the role of full-time Office Administrator, where she continues to faithfully support the ministry and church family.
In her free time, Stacie enjoys reading, playing on her iPad, and spending time with her family and her KMC ‘Ohana.