Q3 2026 Newsletter

Aloha CIRE ʻohana,

My journey with CIRE began in 1999 as an answer to prayer. At the time, I was

working with Savio Realty and had a deep desire to connect with other believers in

our profession—to fellowship, pray for our clients and colleagues, and share our

experiences in real estate.

That same year, Jerry Young, founder of Christians In Real Estate, sent faxes

introducing CIRE to real estate companies across the island. One of those faxes

arrived at Savio Realty. The secretary handed it to me and simply said, “This is for

you!”

My name wasn’t on it, but as I read it, I knew in my heart that God had answered my

prayer. I immediately got on my knees and thanked Him for hearing, caring, and

answering me.

That simple fax connected me to CIRE and led to our early gatherings, including our

humble first lunch at a Chinese restaurant. From those small beginnings, God has

blessed CIRE with years of faith, fellowship, prayer, and lasting friendships.

I believe each of you has your own CIRE story—your own moments of faith, friendship,

and answered prayer.

One scripture has been especially meaningful to me during this season:

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose

under heaven.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

Continuing to Serve

Since 2021, it has been a blessing to serve as your President, and I am grateful to

continue leading CIRE into this next season as we prayerfully seek God’s plan,

purpose, and will for our ministry and CIRE ʻohana.

A New Season for Joe

After much prayer and reflection, Joe Paikai will step down as CIRE Vice President,

effective September 30, 2026, as he enters a new season and gives more time to the

areas God has placed before him.

As one of CIRE’s original founding directors, Joe has been part of CIRE’s leadership

and journey from the very beginning. Over the years, his friendship, leadership, and

faithful service have helped shape the ministry and ʻohana we share today. He will

now devote more time to his role as Designated Broker for Aloha-RE.com, his family,

service with the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®, and other opportunities God has

placed before him.

Please join me in giving Joe our heartfelt mahalo for his many years of leadership and

service. Let’s continue to surround Joe and his family with our prayers,

encouragement, and blessings as he begins this new season.

Welcoming Our New Leadership

Effective October 1, 2026, I will continue serving as President, alongside:

Scott Adams — Vice President

Michelle Lynch — Secretary

As we prepare for this transition, I am reminded that God is a God of order and

peace. Scripture tells us:

“But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” — 1 Cor. 14:40 (NIV)

Moving Forward Together

CIRE asks for your continued support and prayers as we move forward together,

trusting the same God who answered my prayer in 1999 to lead us into all that lies

ahead.

Mahalo piha,

Elizabeth Garcia

President, Christians In Real Estate

Please join me in extending a heartfelt aloha to Vice President, Scott Adams.

Scott joins us with a genuine heart for community, leadership, and service. As a

long-time realtor and Regional Director at RE/MAX Hawaii, he brings strong

professional experience, a collaborative spirit, and a deep understanding of

the communities we are privileged to serve.

Beyond real estate, Scott’s greatest treasures are his family and his faith. He and his wife, Lisa—who is also a real estate professional—share a life grounded in partnership, prayer, and a desire to honor the Lord in both their work and their home. Scott and his family are active members of One Love Ministries, serving faithfully wherever his servant heart and hands are needed.

In recent years the Lord has worked deeply in Scott’s life, drawing him closer, refining his calling, and stirring a fresh hunger to serve. He considers it a privilege to use the gifts God has given him in this season.

I ask each of you to pray for and support Scott as he steps into this role. We believe God has anointed him for such a time as this.

Mahalo for saying “yes” to God’s call to serve.

Effective October 1, 2026, we are blessed to welcome Michelle Lynch as CIRE Secretary and Worship Leader. A dedicated real estate professional since 2001 and follower of Jesus Christ, Michelle is the Owner and Principal Broker of Oceans Realty Group LLC.

A longtime member of CIRE, Michelle brings a heart for faith, service, worship, and homeownership. She is passionate about helping families build strong foundations through biblical stewardship, homeownership, and financial literacy. For Michelle, real estate is more than a profession—it is a ministry.

A worshiper, psalmist, songwriter, mentor, mother, and soon-to-be grandmother of three, Michelle’s life reflects her love for God, family, and community.

We are grateful for her servant’s heart and Kingdom-minded vision as she steps into this new season of serving CIRE.

Her life verse, Psalm 27:4 (ESV):

“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life…”

Mahalo Michelle for sharing your time and talents with CIRE!

In this edition, we feature the powerful testimony of Margaret Lim, Principal Broker and founder of Praise God Realty. Many know Margaret as a Top 100 agent with prestigious designations including GRI, SRS, ERP, and AHWD. Behind the accolades, however, is a powerful journey of surrender, faith, and obedience to God’s calling.

A Season of Hardship and Humble Beginnings

Thirty-nine years ago, my family and I arrived in Hawaii carrying the weight of my parents' separation and the hope of a new beginning. Leaving the Philippines behind, my mother, four siblings, and I poured our entire lives into starting a family business. Though life back then was a relentless, incredibly hard grind of sacrifice, our grit paid off eleven years later when we opened the very first Golden Coin Bakeshop and Restaurant in 1999.

The Whisper of Surrender and Divine Confrontation

For twenty-five of my prime years, Golden Coin was my entire world and my only financial security. However, a persistent whisper in my spirit mode it clear that staying was no longer God's plan for the next half of my life. Seeking His direction in total surrender, He gave me two heavy, undeniable Scriptures: Matthew 16:26, warning against gaining the world but forfeiting your soul, and Matthew 6:24, declaring that you cannot serve both God and money.

Conquering Fear Through Radical Obedience

The weight of those words brought me to my knees in absolute terror. I was gripped by the very real fear that my mother would reject me, disown me, and cut me off from the only financiaI safety net I had ever known. Beyond the fear of family disapproval was the terrifying reality of being utterly alone. I had never filled out a job application, had zero outside work experience, and faced the daunting task of standing on my own two feet with nothing but my two hands. In the midst of my paralyzing fear, God asked me, “Do you trust me?” When I whispered yes, He answered softly, “Then, show it in action.” Anchored by the command of Proverbs 5:5-6 to trust Him fully and lean not on my own understanding, I packed up my fears, left Golden Coin, and stepped blindly into my new journey exactly 14 years ago.

A Blind Leap and the Spark of New Passion

The next step felt entirely against my will when someone suggested I take a real estate class. I agreed half-heartedly, sensing the subtle tug of God’s leading. Throughout the class and rigorous training, my prayer was simple: “Lord, I only want to go where You want me to go. Keep showing me that You are with me.” During this transition, Matthew 6:33 became my life verse: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you as well.” I prayed for passion and purpose, and God answered with an immediate love for helping first-time homebuyers. Despite the steep learning curve, God blessed the journey. By the end of my first full year at Locations, I was named the number one new agent with 16 sales, eventually working my way into the Top 100.

Living in the Light and Stepping into True Victory

Looking back from the freedom I experienced today, I realize those first twenty-five years were a form of emotional bondage, where money and security had  become masters. I didn’t understand then what God’s “wonderful light” looked like, but today I live in its warmth. Choosing faith over human logic has made me bolder in sharing my walk with Him. Yet the greatest reward has not been accolades or financial recovery—it is the intimate relationship I now have with my Creator. My life is filled with peace, love, and joy because God is the undisputed center, Master, and Boss of my life.

Taking Another Step of Faith

On March 11, 2026, I stepped beyond my comfort zone to launch Praise God Realty, bringing my professional expertise and advanced industry designations to continue serving the O‘ahu community. From the day I arrived in Hawaiʻi as a young immigrant, God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:11 has guided my life—plans to prosper me, give me hope, and a future. He is faithful to His promises, and I am living proof that choosing obedience over bondage leads to true and lasting victory.