Koza Baptist Church

Chris eyre

Lead pastor

Chris has been married to Hisami since January 1994. Together they have three boys: Kento, Yuki, and Masaki. Chris was born in Kalispell Montana and raised in Henderson Kentucky. Hisami is from Ginowan City, Okinawa. Chris and Hisami have been blessed through his service with the Marines to attend, and be part of leadership at many different Baptist churches. Chris has served as a Team Kid Director, Awana Truth in Training Leader, Adult Sunday School teacher, and Deacon.

Chris has spent the last 30 years studying, participating in, and developing a passion for leadership. As he was nearing the end of his time in the military service, he began to sense the Lord leading him to retire from military service and enter into full time ministry. With a desire to be obedient to the Lord’s leading, Chris withdrew from his required professional military education, and enrolled in Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2014, he graduated with a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership.

He is blessed to serve as the Lead Pastor where he can employ the gifts that the Lord has crafted in Him for such a time as this. Chris is passionate about worshiping the living God, connecting with Him and the body in fellowship, and serving all the people the Lord places before him…all for God’s glory!

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cory cloud

Worship pastor

Cory came to Koza in the spring of 2018 from Dallas, Texas. He met his wife, Cindy, while they were attending Howard Payne University. Cory received his masters degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Cory loves serving at Koza because he has a heart for leading people to God’s throne through worship and making disciples. He enjoys any outdoor activity. If he is not in the church office, he’s hiking, fishing or on his SUP. Cory and Cindy have three boys, Carson, Caiden, and Coleman. The whole family loves Tex-mex food, salsa and spending time together at the beautiful beaches on island.

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Hunter Gray

Missions and Connections Pastor

Hunter and his wife, Kelsi, were married in 2015. Hunter was born in Chattanooga, TN and Kelsi in Owensboro, KY. Hunter graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2012 and afterwards served in local church in mainland Japan prior to meeting his wife.

Together, Hunter and Kelsi have traveled to many parts of the world sharing the gospel of Jesus to the nations. Prior to joining the team at Koza, they most recently served in Kosovo focusing on sharing the gospel to unreached people groups and strengthening indigenous local churches.

Acts 1:8 is a strong influence on Hunter's life. It summarizes what he desires to be, a person dependent on the Holy Spirit, passionately sharing the gospel with others. He is overjoyed to serve as the Missions and Connections Pastor at Koza and looks forward to help bring Jesus' life saving work and message to many in Okinawa and our ministry partners around the world.

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ANNETTE Macfarlane

Director of Family life ministries

Annette is married to Rob, who serves as chairman of deacons at Koza. They have been married for 21 years and have 3 children, Jack 18, Parker 12, and Kyla 10. Annette began serving in Koza Kids in 2014 with a calling to serve the children and families in Okinawa. Before the Marine Corps brought the Macfarlane family to Okinawa, Annette was teaching in a Christian School in Stafford, VA and has worked as a preschool, 2nd and 3rd grade teacher. Annette has a Bachelor degree in Elementary Education from Hannibal LaGrange University. Annette desires to help the families of Koza show their children that God has a plan for their lives, that His word applies to their life each and every day and that each kid that comes to Koza has a place to belong.

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Elizabeth barron

children's ministry coordinator

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Alicia morgan

children's ministry assistant coordinator

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duran sword

Student Ministry COORDINATOR

Duran has been married to Angela since February 2005. Duran and Angela have a son, Duran II (14) and a daughter Lillian (11). Duran was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. Being a Marine has allowed Him and his wife to serve in various ministry positions at Baptist churches all over the United States. Duran has served as an Elder, Discipleship Pastor, Youth Pastor, Adult Sunday School teacher, and Home Group Leader. The entire Sword family is humble and finds joy in serving. They enjoy spending time as a family and fellowshipping with other families. They love Hebrews 10:24-25.

Duran graduated from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts in Theological Studies in 2017. Duran seeks to obey God’s will in his life by partnering with parents to serve the students of Koza in ensuring that they are deeply rooted in Jesus when they become adults. Having a firm foundation to build upon is very important to keep what has been built up from crumbling. A balanced focus on Worship, Discipleship, Evangelism, Fellowship, and Ministry is the method by which the mission to become deeply rooted followers of Christ on mission with God will be accomplished.

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