From the Islands to the Army

Chaplain Captain Steve Anoa’i remembers a time he felt too ashamed to return to his close-knit community in American Samoa. Stationed in Korea with the United States Army in the mid-1990s, he experienced a betrayal and subsequent broken heart that led to a downward spiral — into what he describes as a “mental and spiritual abyss.”

The abyss became so severe that Anoa’i was chaptered out of the military before his term of service was complete. Yet, those dark days planted in him a seed that is now bearing tremendous fruit. Anoa’i was assigned to counseling with a Chaplain Liptrot.

Under Liptrot’s care and at only 21 years old, Anoa’i felt the Lord call him to military chaplaincy. In the years since, Christ has woven together many experiences, individuals, obstacles and locations to guide Anoa’i, now 49, and his family into the fulfillment of that call.

Restoration, Romance, and a Long-Awaited Green Card

“After Korea I stayed in Hawaii for a year,” Anoa’i says. “To go home I felt I needed to be successful and victorious, but I felt that I was a loser.”

Dark days continued, yet something in Anoa’i clung to hope. He even got a tattoo of Samoan Bible College (SBC), hoping that one day, despite the debauched state he was in at the time, the Lord could still use him. He began attending the Hawaii First Samoan Assembly of God church, and, with great emotion says, “God did still have a plan for me.”

In 1996, Anoa’i returned to his home in American Samoa. His father, who previously discouraged his faith and church involvement, had met Christ himself, and the family began to experience restoration. Further joy came when, at Ieova Irae (Jehovah Jireh) Assembly, Anoa’i met his now-wife, Lupe, who had moved from Western Samoa to attend the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) and stay with her grandmother.

The pair clicked immediately, and by 1997 they married. In 1998 Anoa’i graduated from community college, and in 2001 from SBC— a beautiful fulfillment of the hope that had lived in him during painful days in Hawaii. Still, the Lord had more.

Later in 2001, Anoa’i was accepted into and left for Central Bible College (now Evangel University) in Springfield, Missouri. It was simultaneously joyful and painful — Anoa’i had to leave alone, as Lupe’s application for a visa was denied.

While he began studies, Lupe remained in Samoa with their two toddlers, Brittney and Will. But in spring 2002, she at last received clearance and immediately traveled to Springfield with the children.

As they plunged forward into life in Springfield, Anoa’i worked three jobs to support the family while also carrying a full class load. Their third child, CJ, was born in 2003 just prior to Anoa’i’s graduation in 2004.

The family then bought their first house and Lupe (who is descended from the High Chief Tuisuga Family in Fagalli and since earned her U.S. citizenship in 2022) began working at Maranatha Village, eventually stepping up into the role of med tech. All the while, the family planned to return to Samoa.

The Results of a Chance Meeting

Through all this, Anoa’i says, military chaplaincy remained in his mind. That back-burner desire blazed back to life in 2005 when, to both men’s amazement, Anoa’i ran into Liptrot. Upon hearing of Anoa’i’s redeemed life trajectory, Liptrot cheered him on with a true pastoral heart.

“Thank you for doing it! You are being obedient!”

Anoa’i’s ministry took another unexpected turn in 2008. He received a call from Darryl Paddock, who at the time served as chaplain of Maranatha Village. He was invited to be assistant chaplain, a position he accepted and held until 2015.

“Maranatha was our comfort zone,” Anoa’i says. The years there were golden, including sitting under the mentorship of and receiving care and love from many retired pastors and leaders. Yet military chaplaincy remained on the radar. Anoa’i recalls Scott McChrystal, who served as the AG’s national Military/VA endorser, and other chaplaincy leaders coming as guest speakers to Maranatha.

“I would look at their uniforms and think, yet also remember the heartache of not making it the first time,” he says.

In 2014, Anoa’i planted Emanuelu Assembly of God, and eventually left Maranatha in 2015. He says, “It was hard to leave Maranatha but we both finally agreed and had peace. We did not know how the finances would come, but we stepped out.”

In April 2015, Anoa’i became a bi-vocational pastor, working at Global University.

CFHH

While pastoring Emanuelu, the Anoa’is were courted by a successful Samoan church in another city. The offer was tempting, yet their children desired to stay in Springfield. Anoa’i went to Maranatha resident and retired pastor and district superintendent David W. Flower for advice. Flower told him, “Ministry is not just about you. You need to involve your family and minister together.”

“In Samoan culture, whatever Dad and Mom say, goes. There is no question,” Anoa’i says. “Brother Flower’s advice changed our perspective, and we have grown. We’ve worked to minister together even in small things. And now that three of our five children are grown, we still have family devotions via group text, taking turns leading it.”

Throughout many changes, the nuclear Anoa’i family has indeed rallied to serve together. Their family motto — Christ, Family, Humble, Hungry (CFHH) — was born out of discussion that in any accomplishment Christ comes first, then family.

Anoa’i says, “We must always stay humble before God and hungry for more of Him and of life. We must never stop, settle, or be lazy.”

As the family continued to move forward, so did the plan of God. In 2017, an army recruiter called Anoa’i out of the blue. Anoa’i was reluctant, but discussions moved forward, and it soon became evident that this was God’s timing for the decades-old call of military chaplaincy to be fulfilled. By 2020, Anoa’i had resigned from Emanuelu and become Chaplain Captain Steve Anoa’i.

Three Forts and the Elevation of Jesus

Since stepping into his new role, Anoa’i has been stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Fort Drum, New York.

He says, “One thing we’ve learned is that God always prepares us for the next big thing. In everything we are doing now, we can look back and see some reasons why God did things the way He did.”

Amid a plethora of convictions and creeds within the army, he cherishes opportunities to seek the advice of Jim Denley, retired U.S. Navy chaplain and current Military/VA endorser for U.S. Missions’ Chaplaincy Ministries hold true — that the power of God’s love can reach through believers to unbelievers regardless of circumstance.

“I have prayed with soldiers by armored vehicles, under trees, and right by my own cot,” Anoa’i says. “One soldier came asking me for a Bible and to talk about Jesus. He accepted Christ right then and there.”

Lupe too continues to minister among military families. As part of the Soldier Family Readiness Group at Fort Leonard Wood, she searched for ways to build trust. She began making breakfasts and other treats for each company — up to 400 people. She often began cooking at 4 a.m. In 2021 she received the Cynthia Spoehr Spouse Award Volunteer for the Year.

"So much of chaplaincy is shining Jesus' love into people's lives, to encourage the faithful and to be radiant witnesses to the lost. Steve and Lupe are absolutely brilliant witnesses of God's love wherever they go," says Denley

Recovering from a serious back injury earlier this year, Anoa’i was offered a chance to step out of the army. His response was swift. “No. We will stay in until God tells us to get out. It is all about elevating Jesus. Our journey from Samoa to Fort Drum, New York, is all Him.”

Kristel Zelaya

Kristel Zelaya is a freelance writer and editor with global experience. She served as marketing manager for Assemblies of God U.S. Missions and as a writer and editor for Assemblies of God World Missions. These experiences have led her to numerous countries and cultures — far from beaten paths — on behalf of many who did not know how deeply their stories matter. Zelaya is also a licensed Assemblies of God minister. She and her husband Rudy share one daughter.