A Church Built Around Freedom
On Waipahu Street, tucked into the working heart of Central Oahu, City of Refuge Christian Church has spent more than four decades preaching what its members simply call "the right to be free." The church's motto - "You have a right to be free and be who God created you to be" - shapes everything from Sunday worship to its food distribution ministry. It is a Pentecostal body that gathers around prayer, lively praise, and a Pentecostal belief in the present work of the Holy Spirit.
From a Waipahu Warehouse to a Waipahu Street Congregation
City of Refuge was founded in 1980 by Dr. Wayne E. Anderson, who began holding services in a warehouse in Waipahu. By 1985 the congregation had grown enough to move into the Waipahu Theater, where Dr. Anderson continued to pastor until his passing on January 14, 2024, at the age of 69. Dr. Anderson served in all five of the ministry offices recognized in apostolic Pentecostalism - Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, Teacher, and Evangelist - and the church still honors his memory as its founder and former shepherd.
Leadership has since passed to Pastor Jarrard "Jay" Galbreath and his wife, Deanna, who serve as the current senior pastors. Pastor Jay was mentored by Dr. Anderson and brings a background shaped by service in the United States Air Force, a Bachelor of Business from Tennessee State University, and a Master of Public Administration from Troy State University. He has preached internationally, including in Bosnia, Turkey, and Korea, before stepping into the role of senior pastor. The Galbreaths are parents to triplet daughters, Jaianna, Jayla, and Jaslyn, and the family is very much a visible part of the church community.
Encounter, Build, Impact
The church organizes its life around three words - Encounter, Build, Impact. Encounter describes a praying, worshipping, supernatural-healing community that expects the Holy Spirit to move. Build describes a Word-centered, witnessing, gathering, and celebrating community that disciples people through teaching and fellowship. Impact describes a tithing, growing, missionary-sending, leadership-training community that aims to shape the wider society and ordain ministers and deacons for that work.
What City of Refuge Believes
City of Refuge's statement of faith is detailed and Scripture-cited, drawn from a classic Pentecostal frame. Members affirm that the Bible is the inspired Word of God; that there is one God eternally existent in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; and that Jesus Christ is fully divine, born of a virgin, lived sinlessly, died a vicarious atoning death, rose again, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return in power and glory. Salvation is understood as a personal commitment to Jesus as Lord and Savior, with regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
The church practices water baptism by immersion and teaches that the baptism of the Holy Spirit comes with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues. It believes in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit for holy living, divine healing through the atonement of Christ, and the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost. A separate section of the statement affirms that God creates every person as male or female, that marriage is the exclusive lifelong covenant of one man and one woman, and that God extends redemption and Christlike love to every person regardless of struggle.
Sunday Worship and Weekly Rhythms
Sunday morning worship begins at 10:00 a.m. at the church's home on Waipahu Street. Services are livestreamed on the CORCC Hawaii YouTube channel for those who cannot attend in person. Children ages 2 through fifth grade are welcome in City Kids Ministry on select Sundays, with drop-off from 9:30 to 10:20 a.m.; children must be potty trained. Youth in sixth through twelfth grade meet every Sunday in Youth on the Right Track, the church's flagship youth ministry.
Beyond Sunday morning, the church runs a packed weekly schedule. Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. bring a Relationship Class focused on strengthening community. Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. offer two tracks: Christian Studies and Christian Foundation online (along with a youth Zoom), and Christian Foundations Advanced in person. Saturdays at 7:00 a.m. begin the week with Breakthrough Prayer on Zoom (access code 129201#). Foundation Classes are also offered through the Church Center app for newcomers who want to grow in the basics of the faith.
Children, Youth, and Families
City Kids Ministry, led by PA Kenneth Edwards, walks children ages 2 through fifth grade through Bible-based teaching, worship, and age-appropriate activities designed to raise them for God's purpose. Youth on the Right Track, under Rose Tunstall, trains middle and high school students to be Christ-like role models both inside and outside the church. Help Inspire My Mate (HIMM), led by Brad Bransford, focuses on marriage; Women of Excellence gathers women for service, connection, and growth; Devout Men's Ministry, under Evangelist Terry Palmer, disciples the men of the church; and Crowned Pulse, also led by Evangelist Palmer, ministers to young adults. Small-group life happens in City Groups, a network of in-home gatherings coordinated by Napoleon and Fran Arline.
Serving Waipahu Through Raven's Nest
City of Refuge is as much a relief operation as it is a worshiping community. On the first and third Fridays of each month, the church hosts Raven's Nest, a community food distribution run in partnership with the Hawaii Foodbank from the 94-929 Waipahu Street location, beginning at 3:00 p.m. The church also operates the City Clothing Care Closet, which provides clothing to individuals and families in need with dignity and care. Raven's Nest is led by Dr. Halemia Jones, and the Closet is led by Elder Jemar Miller. As of the church's most recent update, both of these outreach ministries are temporarily paused.
The City Team and the People Who Serve
Pastor Jay and First Lady Deanna are supported by a leadership team the church calls the City Team. Josliene Miller serves as Director of Operations. Deacon Louis Edwards serves as Director of Finance. Shelby Haygood is Director of Communications and Administration. Elder Denise Edwards serves as Director of Christian Development and Education. Deacon Mark Moncrease leads the Usher Ministry, Vincent Daniels leads Praise & Motion, Chantal Richie directs the Unashamed praise ensemble, and Victoria Daniels leads the Musicians. Hospitality is led by Todd Lynch, Parking and Security by Talia Martin, Media by Jeremy McClam, and the Photography Team captures services and events. Cafe 3:16, under Stev McKoy, serves meals and refreshments around worship.
Planning Your Visit
City of Refuge Christian Church meets at 94-889 Waipahu Street in Waipahu, with a separate outreach facility at 94-929 Waipahu Street used for food distribution. The church office can be contacted at 808-677-5677 or info@corcc.org. Parking and Security directs arriving cars, and a City Rides shuttle, led by Shannon Park, transports attendees from nearby parking lots for a comfortable arrival. Cafe 3:16 serves coffee and meals before and after the service. Giving is available online through Church Center Giving and historically through PayPal and a Subsplash-powered church app, and a free Church Center app keeps members connected to events, sermons, and small groups. A prayer request page and a Get Connected form are the on-rampers for newcomers who want to take a next step, and the church provides a dedicated path to salvation and believer's baptism by immersion for anyone ready.