The Impact of CPE in Hawai‘i

 

There are moments in our lives that transform us—moments that open our eyes to new possibilities and set us on unexpected paths of service and growth. For 36 years, Pacific Health Ministry’s (PHM) Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program has been creating these transformative moments for spiritual caregivers around the world—and your support has made this possible.

This year, we celebrate 100 years of the CPE method of spiritual care training. The CPE method continues to impact us in the present, and I invite you to be part of our continuing journey.

Thanks to compassionate community members like you, we’ve trained more than 1,000 students from over 30 countries, providing them with professional chaplaincy skills and opportunities for profound personal growth. Your generosity helps sustain PHM’s spiritual care program in 12 institutions on three islands and our CPE program—creating a unique learning environment that fosters both professional excellence and spiritual depth.

Gemma Cubero del Barrio is just one example of the transformative power of our CPE program:

“I had never heard of the word CPE until I became interested in learning about death and dying through my Zen Buddhist training. My first summer unit of CPE was an eye-opener—like opening Pandora’s box—not only to learn the professional skills for providing spiritual care but also to learn about myself in a group context. In that first unit, I discovered my love for hospital chaplaincy, and the training I received from PHM opened a new path of service and a new form of self-expression. Now completing my fourth unit, my learning continues to deepen—as does my joy for this calling. For this opportunity, I am so grateful.”

Your generosity makes transformative journeys like Gemma’s possible. When you support PHM, you become part of each student’s growth and every life they touch.

Next week, our team will attend the 2025 ACPE Annual Conference, and we look forward to bringing back valuable insights that will enhance the spiritual care we provide to our community—all because of your investment in our mission.

Will you join us in nurturing the next generation of spiritual caregivers? Your gift directly connects you to students like Gemma and creates ripples of hope throughout our communities.

With gratitude in faithful partnership,
Rev. Anke Flohr
Executive Director
Pacific Health Ministry

P.S. Your donation is a personal investment in the future of spiritual care. Please give today to help continue PHM’s 36-year legacy of transforming lives through Clinical Pastoral Education.

P.P.S. If you have already donated—thank you so much for your support! Your gift truly makes a difference!