Emma Manhart

Summer Intern

Hi! My name is Emma Manhart. I was a nano preemie born at 23 weeks, weighing just one pound, five ounces. The doctors said I would not survive, but the Lord had other plans! I prayed with my mom to trust Jesus as my Savior when I was very young. When I was nine years old, I felt the Lord calling me into full time ministry.  Since then I have been blessed to have many opportunities to serve the Lord—with my family on summer mission trips and leading church youth groups; and on my own with CEF’s Christian Youth In Action, as an intern at my church, and last summer teaching refugee children in Clarkston, Georgia. I graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2023 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Ministry Leadership with an emphasis in Children and Family Ministry. The Lord has opened and closed doors as He directs my path, and I feel so blessed that He has opened this door to serve with CEF of Hawaii.

Isaiah Nabea

Summer Intern

Aloha! I'm Isaiah Nabea, and I'm happy to serve in CEF this summer. I'm from the island of Oahu but am currently attending college in Arizona Christian University. I've had the pleasure of serving in CEF as a camper and am happy to return as an intern. I love and enjoy shining the light of Christ in the lives of those around me. Some basic things about me are that I like video games, participating in community sports, and fellowship.

Laurey Johnson

Summer Intern

Hello everyone! My name is Laurey Johnson and I am excited to serve with CEF of Hawaii this summer! I grew up as a missionary kid in Niger, West Africa, where I saw the Lord work mightily in others. At seven years old, I finally understood his work in me. After reading Hudson Taylor’s story with my grandma, Jesus convicted me of my sin and used my older sister to help me pray for salvation! Since then, God has called me to serve with CEF of Iowa for five years, one in which I was the summer coordinator. I am pursuing a degree of Human Development and Family Studies as well as a major in Languages for Cultures and Professions in French at Iowa State University. After college, I will continue to follow God’s call to reach children for him. Now, I am thankful for the call to serve his children in Hawaii! 

Ella McKinney

Summer Intern

Hi! My name is Ella McKinney, and I am so excited to be serving with CEF in Hawaii this summer! When I was around ten years old, I experienced the true joy of the gospel and came to know Jesus as my savior; some years later, during my freshman year of college, I rededicated my life to Him and have been walking with a newfound passion for the Lord ever since! I have had so many amazing opportunities to serve Him throughout my life. Over the past few years, I have had the pleasure to serve on mission trips, student leadership teams in my church, with YoungLife camps, and I am currently serving with Delight Ministries on my college campus at Western Carolina University. I am studying Forensic Anthropology and Chemistry, though ministry has always been something that God has placed on my heart to pursue. I am so grateful that He gave me the opportunity to do just that through serving His children this summer in Hawaii!

Tori Leonard

Summer Intern

Hello! My name is Tori Leonard. I was given the opportunity to serve as an intern last Summer and I am excited to serve again this Summer. I grew up in a Christian household, where I attended church every week with my parents and brothers. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior at a young age and made my faith my own in my teenage years. I currently attend Liberty University and will graduate May 2024 with a degree in Family and Child Development, and I am excited to see where the Lord is leading me as I enter this new chapter of my life. Last year I saw a lot of growth in myself and in my faith and I am excited to see how God will use me this year.

Hezekiah Laguatan

Summer Intern

Hey there! I’m Hezekiah Laguatan, and am so excited to be blessed with this opportunity! I’ve been to at least half a dozen five day clubs as a young child, and this will be my fourth year of working with CEF in their summer ministry.

I grew up in Hawaii and accepted Jesus at a very young age thanks to my awesome grandma. But I remember at 9 years old re-dedicating my life

after a five day club in my grandma's backyard. I absolutely love books, something that I credit to the Bible and C.S lewis. This summer is gonna be so awesome and I can’t wait to serve the Lord and grow with everyone!