In childhood, Janelle Marocco envisioned herself being a missionary to Africa. After all, her grandparents, Dan and Esther Marocco, served as Assemblies of God world missionaries to the Philippines and Southern Asia, the birthplace of her father, James Marocco.

But her path veered from missions in 2004 when she joined the staff of King’s Cathedral in Maui, Hawaii. Her father, as pastor of the church, has overseen its growth from an initial congregation of 80 people to a network of 360 extension campuses in the U.S. and 16 other nations.

The continual launching vision of King’s Cathedral and chapels spurred a need for leadership to oversee the international churches. In 2017, Janelle Marocco, then serving as executive pastor and Maui district presbyter, stepped into the directorship.

At the 2020 AG Hawaii District Conference (Oct. 20), Janelle Marocco, 42, was elected district secretary—making her the first woman elected as an official in the Fellowship’s 47 geographic districts. (There are an additional 20 language/ethnic districts, two of which currently have female elected leaders.)

AG Hawaii District Superintendent Klayton Ko (Leadership Page) noted that both candidates for the secretary post were women.

“We didn’t think anything of it,” Ko says. “We never thought about her being the first female.”

Marocco succeeded Don Yoshida Jr. as secretary.

While still passionate about sharing the gospel globally, Marocco’s heart now beats to empower the local church. Her vision is to equip ordinary people—regardless of gender, age, marital status, or ethnicity—to step into God’s calling.

“It doesn’t matter what they’ve come from—drugs, alcohol, a horrible family,” Marocco says. “My goal is to elevate them to do what God’s called them to do, to get them moving forward in God’s plan. If they can be equipped and empowered, more people will be saved.”

At King’s Cathedral, she’s seen this firsthand. Many in leadership came straight from the pews.

She emphasizes that age shouldn’t limit God’s call:

“Many older believers, once past the age of 70, think they can’t do anything for God. It’s not just about missions but about empowering everyone to do what they’re called to do.”

Marocco is also thankful for the district superintendent’s commitment to young leaders:

“Pastor Ko has done a phenomenal job of bringing up the next generation,” she says. “He’s allowed young people to have a voice, be heard, and be seen. He’s encouraged youth ministries, allowed them to do more, elevated them, and bridged the generational gap.”

Meanwhile, King’s Cathedral continues expanding its multiethnic reach with campuses in the South Pacific, Far East, North and South America, Europe, and Africa. In 2019, Marocco visited all 16 countries where the ministry is active.

She is also pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.

“To have her on board as a part of the district leadership is a sign that God has great things in store for our district,” says Pastor Ko. “To have her as a young woman on the executive team is a sign of a new season—the next generation rising up to lead our district.”

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