Our History
Our History
Koza Baptist Church has been a dynamic witness on Okinawa since the church first began worship services in September, 1963. Plans were immediately undertaken for a church building which was completed in August, 1965, on land purchased by the Foreign Mission Board (now the International Mission Board) of the Southern Baptist Convention. The lives of thousands of Americans and other English-speaking people on Okinawa have been profoundly influenced by Koza Baptist Church. The church maintains close ties with the Japan Baptist Mission and the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Koza was accepted into the Hawaii State Convention during the 60th Annual Meeting of the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention on November 8, 2002. This represents the first time in history of Koza that we will formally participate in the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program.
A Japanese congregation, the Goya Baptist Church, shared the old Koza building until 1978, when they moved into their own new building. Koza Baptist Church is a member of The Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention and the Okinawa Baptist Convention. The OBC has approximately 28 churches and missions. The Japanese pastors are well trained, dedicated men who are supported by the missionaries in an island-wide evangelistic outreach.
Koza has had six pastors: Alvin E. (Bud) Spencer, 1963-1968; William Medling, 1968-1969; John Schoolar, 1969-1971; Elton Gray, 1971-1996; Bo Russell, 1997-2008, and our present pastor, John Reimer, who began his service in August 2008. Palmer Fletcher served as Minister of Music from 1975-85, followed by Beryle Lovelace, 1987-1992; Ervin Keathley, 1992-1993; Jim Brooks, 1994-2006; Tim Smith, who has served since July 2006.
Last Service in the Old Koza Building (September 30, 2007)
Due to the widening of Gate 2 Street, Koza had to relocate to a new location. Beginning in September 2007 Koza began its move to a new facilities. During this time the church moved from its old facilities of over 42 years, demolished the old building, worshipped in a temporary site, built a new building and began worshipping in the new Facilities on Sunday, June 8, 2008. God has truly blessed our congregation and we were able to move into our new facilities debt free. Praise the Lord!
Temporary site (October 2007-May 2008)
Worship in the Temporary site
First Service in the New Facilities (June 8, 2008)