Two million people visit Maui, Hawaii, each year.
While the majority of the visitors are attracted to Maui by its stunning beaches, towering waterfalls, and vibrant sunsets, 14 students from Cedarville University in Ohio came to the island for a different reason during their spring break — to help residents rebuild after the devastating wildfires that swept across the island in August in 2023.
The fires, the deadliest in Hawaii’s statehood, left more than 100 dead and destroyed over 3,000 homes. For many on the island’s west side, recovery remains a painful and ongoing process.
Cedarville’s team of 14 students, led by Col. (Ret.) Gregory Thompson, professor of criminal justice, and Dr. Patrick Oliver, associate professor of criminal justice, made it their mission to bring comfort and aid to those suffering in the wake of the disaster.
Despite the geographical distance — over 4,000 miles separate Cedarville from Maui — an unexpected series of connections came together. These divine appointments created a tapestry of faith and provision that led the team to the island.
“There were so many providential connections from people here at Cedarville to Maui,” said Thompson, reflecting on how the team’s journey unfolded. “We were in awe of God’s faithfulness to answer so many prayers for this trip every step of the way.”
A key part of the trip’s success was Thompson’s personal connection to the Hawaiian Islands. As a JAG officer in the United States Air Force, Thompson lived on the island of Oahu for six years before he joined the faculty at Cedarville two years ago. During his time living in Hawaii, Thompson had developed ministry connections through his local church and through his service as a leader in Men's Bible Study Fellowship on the islands of Oahu, Maui, and the big island of Hawaii.
During the “Getting Started Weekend” in August 2024 another Maui connection was formed when Thompson met Mark and Dawn Brown, and their incoming freshman daughter Lila Brown from Lahaina, a town ravaged by the fires. Brown’s family lost their home and church to the flames, enduring a year marked by upheaval that included moving eight times in less than two years.
Brown’s story was an essential part of preparing the team, grounding their mission in the harsh realities the people of Maui face.
Brown’s family has deep roots in both Maui and Cedarville. Her grandparents, Arza and Ruth Brown, moved from Massillon, Ohio, to Hawaii in 1964 for missionary work. Years later, Lila’s father, Mark Brown, returned to Ohio to attend Cedarville before going back to Maui to raise his family. Now, Lila is continuing her family’s legacy as she studies early education at Cedarville.
“I was excited that Cedarville students were coming to my community,” said Lila Brown. “It was especially meaningful because my family was so deeply impacted by the fire. It’s amazing to see people from my college sharing the gospel and serving the community that has suffered so much. I was glad to help prepare the team for what they were about to witness.”
The connection between Cedarville and the Brown family added a unique layer to the trip. It was a testament to how faith and shared purpose can span generations and geography. Thompson and the team also met Lila’s father, Mark, and attended a church service at her grandfather’s home, further solidifying the deep ties between Cedarville and Maui.
Upon arrival, the team heard a powerful presentation from a local pastor on the history of Christianity in Maui and the cultural significance of faith in the community. Understanding the cultural backdrop was essential to their mission, as the team sought to share hope and restoration with those still grappling with the trauma of the fires.
In the days that followed, the team worked alongside eight different local churches. They helped clear fireweed, rebuild homes and run a Vacation Bible School for local children. They also volunteered with Samaritan’s Purse, assisting with repairs and construction on homes damaged by the fires.
“We had the opportunity to come alongside a church and help them care for the land and make it safer for their families and the families they minister to in their community,” said Thompson. “We serve a personal God who takes time for relationships, and part of Hawaiian culture is making time for those relationships. So making sure we took the time to build those relationships was an important step to encouraging and ministering to the people we met.”
One member of the team, sophomore criminal justice major Mattaniah Edwards, brought a unique perspective to the trip. Born and raised in Hawaii, Edwards shared his insights on the importance of respect and hospitality in Hawaiian culture. He marveled at how, despite the immense suffering, the people they met extended deep Christlike love and hospitality to the team.
“I was amazed by the kindness of the people we encountered,” said Edwards. “Even though we were there to minister to them, they showed us an outpouring of love. It was a reflection of the gospel they carry in their hearts.”
For the students and faculty of Cedarville, the trip was more than just a mission — it was a powerful reminder of God’s providence, the strength of human connection and the enduring power of faith in the face of adversity. In a place still recovering from tragedy, they found hope not only in the beauty of Maui but in the resilience of its people and the unshakeable love of God.
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.