Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Celebrating 5 years of God's goodness

July 1st marked our 5 year anniversary as Calvary Chapel Okinawa. It has been a most amazing ride with the Lord filled to over-flowing with incredible people, ministry, miracles, adventures, food, trips, fellowship, trials, challenges, and tears both for joy and sorrow. Truly God has done exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could ask or think.
Here are some old pictures of the very earliest days. I didn't have a good camera back in the day so our photo history is limited but the memories are endless. We didn't know what God had in store for us. We just wanted to do His will. Supported and sent out by a wonderful church, a loving pastor, and many friends God used, we have seen God move in mighty ways.
This was the new building God provided 4 years ago. He was so faithful to give us this for His use and glory. We are trusting Him for another new building that we might "go and make disciples of all nations"...

We never defined our ministry with a label... English, Japanese, Military, youth, etc... We just followed the model given to us... no matter who came in - we purposed to love; to feed; to tend the flock and let God define His ministry. God then brought all the above plus more!

When the new platform was built, everyone grabbed a marker and wrote their favorite verse and filled the stage with bible verses. We wanted to demonstrate that we stood upon the Word of God and it was the foundation of this church.

When we moved into the new building, we had these wonderful plastic chairs that in each service, we broke about six. It had a distinctive "crack" to it. No body seemed to mind. It create some giggles. We were just so blessed that God had provided ins such a incredible way.
Can you see who's getting baptized at Zampa beach? Sometimes, I will drive by the old building and thank God for all the wonderful and funny memories He gave us. God has been so good.

Check back, we got a video in the works that we'll try get posted on this thing and some more historical pics. God bless.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday CCO! The #5 stands for grace in the Bible - may God grant you a year of grace & favor in all that He has for your congregation. Much love & appreciation always!
Joanna R - CC Ginowan

Tamiko said...

awww...chooo natsukashi pictures!!
good memories, good times!
praise God for His unchanging love and goodness:)

Tim, Ayu, Masaki & Tomoki said...

SUGE----! God is good! His thoughts, plans and ways are above ours! Greater than ours! Who would have thought or could have planned that all of this was in God's will! God has worked wonders here in Okinawa! We're thankful to be part of it and excited to see what He has planned for tomorrow!

Blessings on C.C.OKINAWA! Our love and prayers still remain! -The Newells (Tim and Ayu)

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a great post. It is such a beautiful thing to watch the Lord move and change and to be able to reflect up on that. I'm so thankful for CCO! We miss you guys! My favorite memory of those white chairs is when Rick sat down and broke one during service! Classic. Love you guys.

Jess Andersen

Trevor Raichura said...

Hey I recognize that guy being baptized. Who woulda known they allowed people that good-lookin' in Okinawa!

God bless you guys... I miss the ol' days when we met in the old building, I miss the recent days when the new building was being packed out for both services, I know God has wonderful things in store for CCO. Love and prayers,

Baptized at Zampa