October 2006
“OH WHAT AN OCTOBER!”
Pictured above is the formal signing of the Prefecture Compensation on 24 October. In addition to working out a fair compensation with the Prefecture, we have been aggressively seeking that site which to relocate to, and we have seen thus far thirty-nine. We have narrowed it down to three and will be taking the Relocation Committee to the front runner this Saturday. Based upon the results of that visit, we could shortly be in a position to recommend the church to place a contract on it very soon. This step is critical prior to proceeding with the architectural package essential for soliciting bids from construction companies. All this needs to occur within the next thirty days in order to be in the position to relocate by the deadline of December ’07.
The compensation from the government was just over four million dollars, of which approximately one million will be exclusively used for demolition of existing structure and related costs. That leaves about three million to initiate the purchase of the land and construction and furnishing of the new church building. Depending on the site selected, our shortfall in funds will be somewhere between two and three million dollars.
To date Koza has never been in debt; so why do so now! We are confident in the Lord leading the hearts of His people to sacrificially give to the “Rebuild for Revival” campaign. Over three hundred letters were sent to prior members on 4 October and letters to current members went out this week. Separate letters went to the current leaders of Koza challenging them to lead by example. Our campaign officially kicks off this Sunday and we will have our celebration of commitment banquet on 19 November. We look forward to reporting at that time the amount pledged and collected to date from the Koza family here and abroad.
As a matter of record and testimony to God’s work at Koza, the following excerpt is taken from the letter of Becky “Wood” Moore which had enclosed the first check received from a former member:
“Dear Brother Bo, I’m happy to contribute to the relocation of Koza. I was a teenage girl when my family was stationed at Kadena from 1973-1976. I graduated from Kubasaki in 1976. Since then, I’ve made almost every reunion in the U.S. I am so thankful for Koza and the vision of so many before me. It helped to make my teen years a wonderful time of spiritual growth. May God continue to bless the Koza Baptist ministry.”
Thank you Becky!
If you would like to contribute to the campaign and have not received a letter, please contact us or use this site to download a commitment card and mail it to Koza Baptist Church. We will begin posting our overall pledges and contributions next update.
Yes, “Oh what an October” we have had, but oh what an awesome God we serve!
Thank you for your prayers and continued support.