Rev. Dr. Mitch Nelson – Pastor
Mitch Nelson has both his MDIV and DMIN degrees from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. He has turned his doctorate research into a published original work of Christian Spiritual Ecology : A new approach to the human/nature relationship. His own current spiritual ecological practices are gardening and surfing. Mitch has previously served UCC churches in his home state of Minnesota over the last 7 years and is looking forward to being at home on Maui and learning from the Kupuna.
Thomas Goedecke, PhD – Music Director
Thomas Goedecke (PhD, Music Composition), based in Pukalani, Hawaiʻi, is most known for his work intersecting sound worlds from western and Pacific non-western voices. He specifically finds joy in working with indigenous languages of the Pacific and combining them with traditionally western ensembles, advocating for the proliferation and celebration of Polynesian, Asia-Pacific, and American indigenous art.
In over twenty years of professional music making, Goedecke has served a wide variety of congregations as a choral scholar, section leader, resident composer, and choral director. Before his arrival on Maui, Goedecke served as the Compline Director at Lutheran Church of Honolulu. In 2023, he served as interim director for Central Union Church shortly after the premiere of Messiah i ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Goedecke’s text setting of Handel’s Messiah in the Hawaiian language. He served as a choral scholar for Central Union Church, writing anthems and larger works for Ke Aloha Pau ʻOle, the Hawaiian Choir of Central Union Church. From 2015 to 2021, Goedecke served as Orvis Choral Scholar and Composer in Residence at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.
Goedecke is currently the tenure track instructor of music at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College in Kahului. Before his current position, he has taught at a number of campuses including the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the University of Hawaiʻi West Oʻahu, and Brigham Young University Hawaiʻi. He has studied composition with Michael Remson while in Houston, with Frank Ticheli, Stephen Hartke, Morten Lauridson and Veronika Krausas while earning his Bachelor’s of Music at the University of Southern California, and with Donald Womack, Thomas Osborne, and Takuma Itoh during his Masters and PhD in Music at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.
Andrea Yepez – Administrative Coordinator
Andrea Yepez has been the Keawalaʻi Administrative Coordinator since December of 2018. She enjoys serving others and has been a constant resource for Keawalaʻi through these years of transition. She is also our Outreach Coordinator, helping us reach our mission to financially assist others in Maui County in times of need. Andrea holds a Master of Management Degree in Human Services with a focus on children, youth and families. She is here to help in any way she can so please feel free to call or email the church office if you need anything.