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 Seminary. He is a graduate of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, and holds a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership, and a Master of Divinity with a focus on Discipleship and Church Ministry.

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 22 years and have 3 children, Jack 18, Parker 13, and Kyla 11. 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

Elizabeth has spent the past 20 years teaching children and leading in many different capacities. This is the third time that Elizabeth and her family have lived in Okinawa, Japan, and they consider Koza their home! In 2016, Elizabeth served as the Koza Kids Assistant Coordinator, so she was very excited to return to Koza and back into children's ministry! Elizabeth is originally from Columbia, South Carolina, where she met her husband, Ben, in high school at the age of 15! Ben is a Marine stationed on Camp Hansen. Ben and Elizabeth have four children, Alice (14), Tate (12), Henry (8), and Eli (4). Their family loves the beach and going on Okinawa adventures. Teaching is truly a God-given passion for Elizabeth. She loves God and loves teaching young minds about God's love for them. Elizabeth is so thankful for the opportunity to partner with the families of Koza to disciple and encourage their children to have a personal relationship with Jesus.

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April Carrasquillo

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY ASSISTANT COORDINATOR

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nichole klewer

Student Ministry COORDINATOR

Yuki Eyre

Audio visual coordinator

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Heather Herndon

Preschool Ministry coordinator

Heather is originally from Julian, North Carolina. She has been married to her husband Phillip since 2007 and they have 3 kids, Jacob (11), Laura (11), and Easton (5). The Air Force brought the Herndons to Okinawa in February of 2019. At their previous assignment in Warner Robins, Georgia, Heather served as the 2 year old and 3 year old teacher at Kidzone School at Unity Baptist Church. Heather has always had a passion for working with children and is excited to come alongside the Koza preschool families to share the gospel with the preschoolers! She wants the families and preschoolers to know they are loved and valued by God!

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