ONTARIO, Calif. – Gateway Seminary has announced the appointment of Paul G. Kelly as the new director of its Hawaii campus. The appointment advances the seminary’s partnership with the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention (HPBC), approved by Gateway trustees in October 2025, with classes set to begin in fall 2026.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Paul Kelly lead our Hawaii campus,” said Gateway Seminary President Adam Groza. “His experience in educational leadership and cross-cultural ministry positions him perfectly to equip leaders for Hawaii and the broader Asia-Pacific region, advancing our shared vision of kingdom impact throughout the Pacific Rim.”
Kelly has served at Gateway Seminary since fall 2009 as chair and professor of educational leadership. His research interest focuses on discipleship, ministry training and cross-cultural education.
Shane Tanigawa, senior pastor of University Avenue Baptist Church and HPBC president, said, “As a Gateway Seminary alumnus who once had to relocate for theological training, I know firsthand the challenges our local pastors face.
“Dr. Kelly’s leadership ensures accessible, Scripture-rooted education right here, empowering effective ministry in our Pacific contexts.”
The Hawaii campus, located in the HPBC building on Oahu with classes held there and throughout the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention, is Gateway’s first new regional campus since the Rocky Mountain Campus in 1996 and the fourth housed in a Southern Baptist state convention office (joining Arizona, Pacific Northwest, and Rocky Mountain campuses).
It serves as a strategic hub for theological education across the East Asia-Pacific rim, offering accredited degrees and diplomas to leaders in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand and beyond—keeping students in their ministry contexts.
Craig Webb, executive director-treasurer of the HPBC, expressed strong support for the appointment and partnership.
“This new campus is a generational investment in training leaders where they live and serve – across Hawaii and the wider Asia-Pacific,” Webb said. “I’m thrilled that Dr. Paul Kelly will lead this work, and I’ve been deeply encouraged by his heart for the Church and our unique ministry context. We believe God will use this to strengthen churches and advance the gospel throughout our region.”
Kelly holds a Ph.D. and Th.M. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, an M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a B.A. from Oklahoma Baptist University. Previously, he held leadership roles at Lifeway Christian Resources and served churches in Oklahoma, Texas and Illinois.
He is the author of “Being Young: A Biblical Theology of Youth” and contributor to several books. His research focuses on cross-cultural youth ministry, and he lectures internationally, including in the Philippines, Ivory Coast and Armenia.