In 1998, a radical encounter with God transformed Jacob Stewart's life. Known now as Pastor Jake, he shifted his focus from athletics and marine biology to a passionate commitment to Jesus. During a series of revival meetings with Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne in Portland, Oregon in 1998, he experienced the power of the Holy Spirit, igniting his desire to proclaim Christ.
In addition to holding a Bachelors of Science degree from Willamette University and a Masters and Ph. D in Theology, Pastor Jake served as the Leader for Youth Ministry at The Ark for 15 years. During this time, He led international missions to the Philippines, China, Malaysia, Africa, India, and Mexico, witnessing life-changing miracles through prayer
His most important ministry is to his wife, Jolie, and children, Hunter and Dakota. Pastor Jake aims to inspire both his family and church community to impact the world for Christ, starting with Kaneohe, Hawaii. He actively engages in hobbies like CrossFit and shooting to connect with others and lead them to Christ, believing that no one is beyond God's reach. He remains committed to training passionate individuals to advance God’s Kingdom until the Lord returns.
Born and raised in Pahoa, Hawaii Island, Jolie is the youngest of three sisters. Her years being raised in Pahoa Assembly of God, serving alongside her family, learning of the Lord and how to be a worshipper, were God's way of laying a solid foundation in her heart for the ministry role she now finds herself living out.
While becoming the Lead Pastor of a church was never on her radar, Pastor Jolie knew, from a very young age, that she wanted to use the musical giftings God gave to her to serve the family of God and to bring glory to her Creator. Her first church leadership opportunity came when she was 14 years old, leading worship for her church’s youth group.
After graduating from Hilo High in 1997, she moved to O’ahu to study at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, where she met her future husband, Pastor Jake Stewart. They married in 2001, marking a significant shift in her ministry journey.
In 2004, she was ordained as a pastor at The Ark, graduated with a Bachelor’s in Theology, and welcomed her firstborn daughter, Hunter. Their family grew further with the addition of their son, Dakota, in 2007.
After a fulfilling 13 years of serving as a Leader of Youth Ministry and Worship Team drummer, 7 years as The Ark Worship Leader, pioneering The Ark’s Junior Worship Team, participating in foreign missions, and mentoring many young women to victory in Christ, the step into serving as The Ark’s Lead Pastor alongside her husband in January of 2016 has been yet another great step of faith and excitement in her amazing journey with Jesus.