Hawaii state representative uses lessons learned from doctoral program in new role in public service
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October 12, 2023 : By Bryson Gordon - Office of Communications & Public Engagement
For Dr. Elijah Pierick (’22), who earned an online Doctor of Ministry with a focus in pastoral counseling from Liberty University, running for and winning a seat in the Hawaii House of Representatives was a “journey of obedience” highlighted by the surprising nature of his victory.
“To get elected as an ethnic minority and a political minority, that’s a miracle,” Pierick said about his November 2022 win as a Republican. “So I’m very grateful at the graciousness of God to allow me to serve His people in this capacity.”
Pierick represents Hawaii House District 39, which encompasses the Royal Kunia, Village Park, Honouliuli, Hoopili, and a portion of the Waipahu areas on the Hawaiian Islands.
One of the youngest to serve in the Hawaii State House, Pierick, 28, has spent 19 years of his life on the Hawaiian Islands. He first heard of Liberty’s online program as a 16-year-old homeschool student. After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from an institution in Hawaii, when it came time to pursue his doctorate, Pierick said he wanted to enroll at a school with a strong reputation for conservative, Christian values.
“My professors were coaching me about how a doctorate will sometimes brand you,” Pierick said. “It will often let others know what your theology is by just mentioning the name of the university, and I wanted to go to somewhere that was conservative and somewhere that, when I told them ‘Liberty,’ they knew instantly that I’m a conservative.”
Pierick joined the U.S. Air Force in 2019, and when he decided to pursue a doctoral degree, he had originally planned to use it to further career as a chaplain candidate, and said he would consider becoming a city councilmember or mayor after retiring from the military. But those plans changed in early 2022 after what he described as an encounter with God during a worship service at his local church.
“I just had this vision of the Lord standing in front of me holding this white canvas, and I sensed in my spirit that He was saying, ‘This is your future, I’m going to paint on this something you don’t expect, and be ready to receive what it brings,’” he said.
In the weeks following, Pierick said people around him began encouraging him to run for public office, beginning his journey of obedience to God.
“It was a lot of, ‘Yes, I’ll run. Yes, I’ll fill out the forms to become a candidate. But I’m not going to win because Republicans don’t win here, especially those of my ethnicity,’” Pierick said.
Less than 10 months later, he was the only first-time candidate in the 2022 Hawaii House elections to win a seat.
Pierick said the topic of his dissertation helped prepare him for his job in politics, where he often works with people who disagree on issues within the Christian faith, such as abortion and euthanasia.
“I wrote my doctoral portfolio on emotional forgiveness, which is something I daily use myself,” he said. “I’ll often pray for my colleagues over their votes on specific topics. I’ll pray, ‘Lord please forgive them,’ or ‘Lord please open their eyes to what they’re doing.’”
He has also leaned on his faith in recent months as parts of the Hawaiian Islands, specifically Maui, have endured devastating wildfires. Earlier this month, Pierick had the chance to tour the damage in Maui, saying the first emotion he experienced upon arrival was sadness.
“When you see disaster firsthand, it’s very different,” he said. “You see on the screen a hurricane comes through Florida or a tornado in the Midwest. But when you see a whole city burned down, it’s depressing.”
As the islands heal and began to recover from the fires, Pierick said it’s his job as a Champion for Christ to pray and advocate for unity and cooperation on the island as they sort through the aftermath. On his social media accounts, Pierick featured some of the work he has done with children in Maui following the fire, as well as his role in the Hawaii House of Representatives School Working Group, listening to the communities in Maui.
“My time at LU, the doctoral degree, and the classes, all of it has helped me lean towards unity and lean towards collaboration,” Pierick said. “We don’t want to be quick to blame, but I also want to voice the concerns of the people so they know we’re listening.”
For Pierick, as he navigates a landscape that he said may not agree with him politically, Liberty was a training ground to strengthen his faith.
“This place can make a positive impact for you and your culture,” he said. “In a world of delusions and non-truths, Liberty University offers a training platform of truth, guiding people to know who God is and what the Gospel is. I’m grateful to have had the chance to go to a school that promotes conservatism and values truth.”