“I just enjoy being with people wherever they are and ministering to their soul, however they see it.”
After nearly five decades living on a small island in the Pacific, Rev. Suzanne Kobayashi has discovered that spiritual callings don’t always follow a straight path. Now an Episcopal priest and part-time hospital chaplain, she reflects on how her life of faith gradually—and unexpectedly—led her to a ministry of presence and healing in healthcare settings.
Originally from Southern California, Rev. Kobayashi moved to Hawai‘i in 1978 and has called the islands home ever since. Raised Catholic, she recalls feeling a deep spiritual pull from a young age. “I’ve always felt drawn to God,” she shared. “I didn’t think being a priest was even an option because of my upbringing.” As a child, she longed to be an altar server, a role not open to girls at the time, and the priesthood was not even a consideration.
When she discovered the Episcopal Church, she found a worship style that met her needs for ritual which celebrates the spiritual. It was open and affirming and ordains women. She got the call to priesthood after sitting in the pews for over 35 years. Still, the road to becoming a priest was not simple. Living in a remote area, she didn’t have access to traditional seminary training until a local program made it possible.
Her introduction to chaplaincy came through a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) requirement for ordination. She partnered with Pacific Health Ministry (PHM) to complete her training hours, initially viewing it as a necessary step. But as she immersed herself in the work of spiritual care, something shifted. “I didn’t know that I was going to love chaplaincy as much as I do,” Rev. Kobayashi reflected. “I think it’s awesome.”
The CPE program not only expanded her theological understanding but also helped her uncover unconscious assumptions, such as the belief that only Christian patients would want a chaplain. The cohort model and reflective writing exercises pushed her to grow. “Being part of a group that’s all learning together was so valuable,” she said. “It helped me open up to how others experience what’s sacred.”
One patient encounter with a man approaching the end of his life continues to influence her perspective on ministry. During their final visits, Rev. Kobayashi read aloud from the Book of Common Prayer and offered gentle prayers. One day, the patient handed her a note, thanking her for her visits and expressing his trust in Christ’s promise. That moment, she says, left a lasting impression. She was being ministered to by the faith of the patient.
Today, Rev. Kobayashi serves as a priest on Kaua‘i, where she leads spiritual formation classes, organizes prayer gatherings, and provides what she lovingly calls “Soul Support” for her community. She also continues to serve as a Pacific Health Ministry fill-in chaplain at Wilcox Medical Center, providing comfort to patients and families during some of life’s most vulnerable moments. Gardening and walks with her dog help her stay grounded amid the emotional weight of chaplaincy.
She believes that spiritual care is vital, especially in healthcare. “We are beings of body, mind, and spirit,” Rev. Kobayashi said. “If people are only in touch with body and mind, it can cause a lot of confusion, frustration, and fear.” For patients and families who may feel disconnected from faith, she sees chaplaincy as a gentle way to restore connection and offer comfort.
Looking back, Rev. Kobayashi is grateful for the unexpected turn her path has taken. What began as a requirement became a calling. “I just enjoy being with people wherever they are and ministering to their soul, however they see it.”