On September 10, 2006, our Relocation Chairman, John Reimer began his presentation to the congregation with missionary William Carey’s quote:

“Expect Great Things From God—Attempt Great Things For God.”

How fitting to find inspiration from this great missionary given the missiological roots of Koza.  It was over forty years ago that Southern Baptist missionary Bud Spencer led in the building of what is today the mission minded church home for those desiring to live a life of purpose while on Okinawa – and beyond. 

Many, perhaps like you, were unaware of the planned widening of the road adjacent to the church which mandates a move by December 2008.  It was John’s duty to present an overview of the progress made toward identifying the relocation site in order for the people to participate in the process.  The brief in its entirety will be available at this site on a later date; for now we’ll provide some background and parts of the brief. 

GOD’S GIFT TO KOZA

“…you will be on land I have given you." Josh. 1:3b

 It is by divine providence that the Okinawa Prefecture chose to widen the road adjacent to Koza. This expansion will bring the edge of the road through the middle of our facility, requiring mandatory relocation. The Japanese government will compensate at the cost of replacing the existing facility.  What a wonderful gift from God!

 As we know, gifts do not always arrive on our schedule.  It has been nearly ten years since first being told that the road construction was in the Okinawa City plans.  Following several informal inquires to the city office we finally received formal notification on July 8th, 1998.  In part, the letter from Mayor Masakazu Nakasone of Okinawa City Hall contained the following: 

“With regard to the construction of this route, Okinawa Prefecture has proposed a plan to build a highway and Okinawa City too is thereby required to put all its strength into planning the construction of this route. 

Therefore, I am hereby notifying you that as soon as the plans for the Construction of Route 20 have been passed by law, we will notify you with a definite proposal for the construction route.”

Months would pass and we still had no updates other than rumors that the road construction would begin within five years.  In April of 2000 we hired a lawyer to assess the situation, and at the cost of $250 he came back with, “Yes, there are plans underway.  Here is the office you need to contact.”

Note:  In addition to requesting road construction status from our lawyer, we began the process of obtaining legal status as a church in Japan (Shukyo Hojin) which would be critical as we began formal negotiations with the city and Prefecture.  This was finalized in 2005.

We eventually set a meeting with the City Planning of Okinawa City and met with them for the first time on March 13, 2002.  Much to our surprise the assistant to the head project manager was a deacon at Goya Baptist – our sister Japanese church next door that would be facing the same relocation requirement.  It goes without saying that Goya could have been a better partner in the process of getting the straight scoop…so I’ll move on without saying.




Mr. Nakasone, sitting at center left, is now the head of the department and very supportive in keeping Koza informed.

In addition to obtaining our legal status in Japan as a church, steps were taken to become members of the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention.  The principle reasons were to establish a cooperative relationship with a stateside convention and to emphasize our rich Baptist heritage.  From our perspective, the pending removal of IMB support required such action.  As recorded for the record at the time:

“During the Friday morning session of the 60th Annual Meeting of the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention, the Credentials and Resolutions Committee recommended the seating of Koza Baptist Church to the state convention.  Committee director Leon Baker made the recommendation with questions entertained by Dan Van Alstine, Presiding.  No questions were asked from the floor and at 10:47am on 7 Nov 02, the messengers unanimously affirmed the recommendation.  Koza Baptist Church of Okinawa Japan is now officially members of the HPBC.”

Soon after this, Dub Efurd, Executive Director of the HPBC, took Koza under his watchful care.  Then as the President of the Hawaii Baptist Foundation, Dub would be of enormous assistance in providing financial guidance through the “Discover His Way.”  He and his wife Grace made a trip to Okinawa and presented the initial plan to our church leaders in the fall of 2004.  What an impact this godly couple made on our members.  Dub’s homecoming with the Lord less than a year later left us all longing for more time together. 

In December of the same year, Bill Walker (Japan Baptist Mission Construction Coordinator) and Don Highlander (Senior architect with ArchiComp out of Ohio) came in December to discuss ongoing plans for relocation and rebuilding.  Bill helped us make contact with key Japanese on Okinawa for site location and future building plans while Don gave us an initial view of what the church will look like.   It was during his most recent visit this past February that he introduced us to the term “Delta.”  This was the difference between the planned construction cost and the compensation from the government.  With various plans showing a cost of six to eight million dollars, the “delta” would be between two to four million.  Below is Don working with some of our Japanese contractors, for planning purposes only.


 

 “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted!” Job 42:2

 

Our Relocation Committee has faithfully laid out a course of action in cooperation with local contractors and the response to questionnaires responded to by our members.

 

Over the past two years we have visited twenty-seven sites.  We have targeted areas north of Kadena Air Base since all military personnel will be north of Camp Foster in the coming future.  The constant flow of real estate and construction representatives have been both disruptive and informative.  We have become near experts in Japanese real estate on Okinawa. 

Meanwhile the Japanese government stayed its course of wavering from one schedule to another, causing much consternation on our part.  When in July of this year we were told it could be another year before receiving any updates to the schedule, a letter from the pastor’s office was called for.  A meeting soon followed with a second held on August 31st of this year, at which time it was confirmed that Koza would be moved to the top of the list and would shortly receive the proposed compensation.

Which brings us back to the presentation by John Reimer on September 10.  The following three charts provide an overall perspective of the direction we are headed.  Just this Friday, September 15, 2006, the Prefecture called and said the results of their compensation review will be available the week of 25 September.  They originally said, “By September 15”…but does this surprise us?  Please pray for our wisdom and patience for His plan to be revealed. 

 
 

Note:  As a point of record, the Pastor of Koza Baptist is indebted to the Lord for His immeasurable grace in filling the position of Associate Pastor with such quality men.  Most know the dedication and commitment on the part of Jim Brooks (1993-2006) who upon his return to the states this May became the last IMB missionary serving in a Japanese overseas church.  Tim Smith, whom most do not know, arrived in July along with his wife Melody and daughter Meagan.  The administrative acuteness and divine drive to be the best for the Lord on the part of these two men is leaving a legacy in the associate pastor’s position.  The relocation and building efforts will succeed in most part as a result of their superb support.


Associate Pastor Tim Smith and Pastor Bo.

STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION…BUT MOVING FORWARD.