Shane Tanigawa

Though born and initially raised on the mainland as an "army brat," Oahu has always been home. From middle school, Shane attended and graduated from Hawaii Baptist Academy. He would then go on to earn degrees from Leeward Community College, the University of Hawaii - West Oahu (back in the Pearl City days), and Gateway Seminary (back when it was Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary) in California.

In 2002 Shane felt the call toward vocational ministry while serving on staff with Baptist Collegiate Ministries at the University of Hawaii - Manoa. In pursuit of and preparation for this call, Shane left Hawaii to attend seminary. What was expected to be a few years stint in California for seminary morphed into a 19-year residency. In his time in California, Shane resided in both the Bay Area of Northern California and the Inland Empire of Southern California. During this time Shane would be employed covocationally directing student services at Gateway Seminary and serving on pastoral/ministerial staff of NorCal and SoCal churches.

In 2022 the Lord opened the door for Shane to return to Oahu to serve as the pastor-shepherd for University Avenue Baptist Church.

Shane and his wife, Maela, have two sons, Preston and Justice.