1995

We think that evangelism is God's act of adding to the number of people who are saved (See Acts 2:47.). We believe that evangelism means not only to lead people to Christ, but also to lead people into Christian fellowship. Without a nurturing Christian fellowship, we will fail in evangelism. Therefore, we adopted "Building the Fellowship in Christ" as our theme last year. I do not think that we can achieve this kind of theme in one year. It is a goal we should be seeking to fulfill until Jesus comes again. However I see much improvement in our Christian fellowship. Some of us have learned how to deepen our fellowship with God through meditating on the Word of God. Some of us can apply the principles of the Word of God in our relationships with others as we ask for reconciliation with each other. Still others now realize the weaknesses in their relationship with others and are making an inventory of themselves so that they may be changed by the grace of God through their repentance. We hope we can keep dignity in our Christian fellowship.

This year, we are expecting that God will send new believers to our fellowship. We pray that God will add to our number as He equips us as His witnesses. Therefore, we chose Acts 1:8 as our annual theme verse. Jesus told us, "You shall be my witnesses." First, we want to be his witnesses in our Jerusalem, that is our families. We have been praying for the salvation of our family members for many years. This year we hope to see the fruit of our prayers by the grace of God. As Mr. Ichibei Honda is working for neighborhood evangelism, we also want to reach our "Judea and Samaria." For us in the Japanese Speaking Department, this is the Japanese Speaking people whom we never reach. They live around us, but we have been neglecting them. We want to reach all kinds of people -permanent or short-term residents, business men or students. When we are faithful in our local ministry, God will show us how we can reach the people who live in the "ends of the earth."

It is tough for each of us to be Christ's witness in our family, because they pay more attention to what we are doing in Christ than what we are saying about Christ. Therefore, we want to learn more about being His witnesses through our daily lives. We are looking forward to learning about "Life-style Evangelism" from Rev. Darrell Johnson at All Church Camp in October. We have a plan to keep learning about lifestyle evangelism in our Bible Classes. Rev. Nakamura and I feel that our Japanese and English Speaking Departments need more interdepartmental projects in the areas of outreach, discipleship training and support group ministry. We Japanese Speaking and English Speaking people have been gathering together and enjoying fellowship in recent years. We believe that it is now the time to work together. I am so glad to hear that the English Speaking Deacons are supportive of starting English Conversation Classes for outreach. I hope God will bless this plan for reaching our "Judea and Samaria" as well as our visitation team and small group Bible Study. We will try to reach "the end of the earth" through supporting our missionaries.

Every year I have suggested an annual theme and verse. This year I decided that I would not make any suggestions. Instead, I gave our Deacons the assignment to choose the annual theme and verse. They did a good job. The theme and verse mentioned above were chosen by the Deacons, not by me. I thank God that our Deacons, Trustees and Group Leaders have grown in their spirituality. They can make good decisions in accordance with Scripture. They can encourage other people who need spiritual support. I think God has been nurturing them through their jobs and the leadership training sessions. I really appreciate that we have Rev. Fukiage and the Rancho La Costa people at our leadership training. I also thank God because he has been providing nice helpers to me. Please allow me to show my appreciation to my co-workers, Rev. Nakamura, Pastor Eric Segawa, Mr. Ichibei Honda, Mr. Mitsuhiro Arakawa, and Mr. Minoru Usami. I owe many parts of my ministry to them. I also owe you my deepest thanks because of your faithful prayers and generous support.

In His love for the Church,

Pastor Kunizo Nakao

1996

90,686 - This is the mileage I have driven since I came to San Diego. From August 1st, 1991 to May 31st, 1996, it has been fifty-eight months or 1,765 days. I have commuted from home to the church office, visited members at their homes, visited patients at hospitals, and had meetings everywhere in San Diego during this time. It is hard to believe that I have been here for almost five years. What have I done for the church in these fifty-eight months? How have I done in these 1,765 days? When I asked these questions to myself, I could find only a little that I have done. But when I asked the Lord, He showed me a lot of things that He has done.

In these five years, by the grace of God,

• Sixteen people were baptized,
• Twelve people became members through transfer,
• Over ninety people regularly attend the worship service,
• Amount of offerings increased dramatically,
• We purchased a second parsonage (1993),
• We hired and support an assistant pastor (1995),
• The joint prayer meeting started (1993),
• The joint leadership training started (1994),
• The pastors prayer meeting started (1992),
• The joint New Year Service started (1994),
• Seinenkai started (1994),
• Support groups started (1993),
• "Footprints" was published (1994),
• Recovery Devotional Book was published (1995),
• Outreach Small Group started (1993),
• Visitation Team started (1995),
• Simultaneous translation into English are provided at Japanese Speaking Worship.

Every year we select a theme for the year.

• 1992 "Share the Vision" (Acts 2:17)
• 1993 "Becoming Christ's Disciples" (John 15:8)
• 1993 "Building the Christian Fellowship" (Acts 2:42)
• 1994 "Becoming Christ's Witnesses" (Acts 1:8)

I believe that the most important thing for being strengthened in the faith is to be nurtured by the Word of God. In these five years, I have preached from Romans, First and Second Corinthians, and Galatians at the worship services. I taught through Genesis to Numbers at the prayer meetings. At the pre-worship prayer meetings, I gave a series of lessons on Ephesians using a study guide that I prepared. This year, I will preach from Colossians at the worship services, as well as at the joint prayer meetings.

I have a plan to finish the rest of Numbers and go into Deuteronomy at prayer meetings by September. At the pre-worship prayer meetings, I will continue to prepare study notes on Revelation and study the book together with the members.

Other than the worship services and prayer meetings, I need to prepare the lessons and materials for the Bible Classes, Support Groups, and Home Bible Study Groups. I want to make myself concentrate on studying and teaching the Word of God this year rather than doing secretarial jobs. I need your support and prayer for delivering spirit-filled sermons and presenting quality lessons. Most of my work is in my computer. I feel I need to start to prepare them for publishing. Since good Bible study materials in Japanese are always in short supply in the United States, I hope that my work will help to strengthen Japanese speaking Christians in the faith. Please pray for this project.

I always ask God that both departments, two boards - deacons and trustees, and two generations - younger and older may work together in unity for the glory of God. For that purpose, we need to stand on the same ground, holding to God?s: love, truth, and vision. My prayer is that everyone in the SDJCC family will be strengthened in the faith. When the theme for this year becomes reality, we can show our love to the world through our life-style, standing firmly on the Word of God, and catching the vision from God.

With the joy of working for the church,

Pastor Kunizo Nakao

1997

So, then just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:6-7)

Last year, our Japanese Speaking Department selected this verse from Colossians as the verse of the year. We studied both Colossians and the Apostles Creed during worship service. In our prayer meetings we learned God?s practical instructions for life from Deuteronomy and future hope from the book of Revelation. We found that the foundation of our faith is forgiveness of sins in Christ expressed throughout the year.

At the beginning of last fiscal year, God challenged me to work with the sins of Christians. As a pastor and a Christian myself, He continues to challenge me regarding how to handle sins of Christians. Since God has forgiven our sins, we must learn to accept and forgive others. However, acceptance does not mean we must allow Christians to remain in their sins. Forgiveness doesn?t mean that we are not concerned about a holy life in Christ. If we have true love for our brothers and sisters, we will love them as persons, but still confront their sins.

True leaders will grieve over sins and try to lead the Christian to repentance. God has taught me to be a pastor who is able to guide sinful Christians in the proper direction. A pastor should be a good administrator, a motivator, and a leader. However, a pastor?s primary role is confronting sin and striving towards holiness among the members. I do not believe I am successful in such a spiritual job here in San Diego. I feel that I myself need to work more towards my own spiritual growth and manage my own sins. I pray to God that He may adequately equip me for guiding other brothers and sisters through my teachings and example.

We have been praying for the salvation of our family. God answered these prayers in many ways. Mr. Jinkichi Higa accepted Jesus as his personal savior through the unceasing prayers of his wife. He accepted Jesus Christ ans was baptized as a result of his wife?s prayer and witnessing. Mrs. Akemi Hawley was led to the Lord and baptized through her sister?s earnest prayers. I hope and pray that God will continue to work in our family.

I am always glad to see the English and Japanese Speaking Departments work together as one church despite each department having unique ministries. I appreciate that Pastor Brian indicates such a unity in his philosophy of ministry. I believe that great progress was made when the joint Board of Deacons presented their concept of vision to the congregation. I have heard that some members complained and left our church because the leadership failed to express their vision for the future. It pained me greatly. I hope that God has given us new people through our efforts and holding to higher goal. We need individuals who want to give themselves to God and His church, not persons who only want to receive something from God and the church.

I am satisfied over the remarkable works of the Board of Trustees. They have done a good job through unity and harmony. I believe that God is pleased by the way they did things, as well as by what things they did.

Pastor Ichibei has done ans excellent job for the church. Seeing his work, it is easy to forget that he is only a part time worker. He has managed to accomplish more than most full time workers. I regret that we senior pastors were unable to protect him from engaging in unnecessary jobs. He is a person who motivates others to work for us. Initially, we planned that the three of us would work together more effectively. I?m afraid that the three of us ended up doing only two pastors? jobs. I am sorry that I was unable to develop my ministries to its fullest through this young, sincere and totally bilingual worker. We need the help of the membership in assuring that through God our pastoral staff is more effective.

I love to see many faithful and generous Christians in our church. May the Lord bless each one of those who work behind the scenes.

In His steps,

Pastor Kunizo Nakao

1998

Last fiscal year, we were striving to reach 100 persons through the gospel of Christ. We prepared ourselves for witnessing through Bible classes. We also learned various things at the Evangelism Seminar and through Leadership Training Seminars. But without practicing the knowledge that was taught, what was learned will remain an "armchair theory" or "practicing how to swim on a bed." (a Japanese phrase)

We demonstrated our commitment by submitting "Andrew Cards." These cards are called "Andrew Cards" after the apostle Andrew who led his brother, Peter, to Christ. Andrew also led the boy with the five loaves and two fish as noted in John 6:8-9. Andrew was a man of action. We wanted to follow his good example. The names of our family members and friends who we want to lead to Christ were written on these cards. Fifty of the cards were submitted, and God provided us two new members from people whose names were on the cards. They were baptized on Easter Sunday.

This fiscal year, we seek to gain 200 "active members" for the entire church. (Actually, Nichigo-bu has already started to work for the goal from this January.) However, what defines an "active member?" They are persons who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. They know and hold the conviction that they have been accepted as children of God. They also offer their tithes and offerings willingly, and through their efforts support the church. They read the Bible, pray every day, and experience and enjoy Christian fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Christ. They are willing to follow the Lord. Based on this definition, there are less than 80 active members in Nichigo-bu.

Last year, a number of members moved to Japan or to other states. We lost many active members, but we understand that they are doing good work where they presently are. We sent members as "missionaries" to other countries and to various states. One family was sent from our church to perform missionary work in Japan. We know and believe that God will provide us with new members if we are faithful in our outreach commitment. Our goal is to achieve a 10% growth in membership. We are praying that God may add eight new members to our fold. Our English Department will grow fast as we see in the other sister churches. I hope we can reach the goal of 200 active members through the greater effort of evangelism and discipleship training by the English Department. Unless evangelical efforts continue, this goal will not be reached. Nichigo-bu needs another fifty Andrew Cards, more prayers, and greater effort. I will do my best as a pastor.

I want to express my thanks for the work of the trustees. They accomplished many things to enhance our church in recent years, such as the purchase of a digital printing machine, new carpeting for the upstairs classrooms, and installation of a projection screen and new sound system in the worship hall. We will do our best to maintain these in good condition and utilize them in the most effective manner.

I also thank Mr. Hideo Chuman for leading the joint Board of Deacons and the Conference Evangelism Committee as a chairman. I know that it is difficult for a Japanese-speaking person to chair a board or committee meeting in English. As a result, we can only exhibit a portion of our leadership abilities. But, Mr. Chuman did a commendable job in these and in other capacities. Lastly, I would like to thank Pastor Ichibei Honda for his sacrificial work. It has been my privilege to be able to closely observe him while he has served our Lord. I am glad to see that he has been steadily growing as a pastor. I could learn some important lessons from him. I believe that he is now ready to be sent into the field or to whatever ministries he feels led. I pray the Lord will bless him and prepare him for greater work in the future.

I would like to write more, but I have almost utilized all of the space allotted to me. I want you to know that God sees your faithfulness to Him, even though others may not or appreciate your endeavors. Strive for His blessings both now and later. If we practice patience and perseverance we will receive our final reward in heaven.

Waiting for Him,

Pastor Kunizo Nakao

1999

The Japanese speaking department has been making it's best efforts to implement our church vision statement. However, we were not able to achieve this year's goal of 200 active members (100 Nichigo). We were unable to gain many new members and unfortunately lost some members. A few moved to Japan; others went to various states; some moved to other areas in California; some went to different churches here in San Diego; and a few ascended to heaven during these past three years.

This fiscal year started with the funeral service of Mr. Oyama that took place between the General Conference and Shuyokai. I was exhausted after the funeral service and often napped during Shuyokai free time. Two months later, Mrs. Furukawa passed away. One month after her funeral service, Mr. Chuman passed away. I prayed to God, "Please no more funeral services." But then God called Mrs. Nomura home. I was rather discouraged and depressed due to this series of deaths of our beloved members. The Nichigo Dept. is still somewhat in shock over losing our former chairperson. God is gradually healing me and the congregation from the effects of those we lost, but we still need your understanding and support.

We forge ahead toward next year's goal of 300 worshippers (150 Nichigo). I believe that worshipping God is our top priority. We were created to adore Him, and saved to serve Him. It is worthy that God be praised and lifted up by all people. We are planning door-to-door visitation to invite people to attend our worship service. We want to invite them to experience God's holiness, love, and grace in our worship service. I believe that our worship should grow in quality as well as in number. I am always awed when I think that the Lord called me to teach the Word of God. Since the Word of God is the center of the worship service, I am called to preach the Word of God in the worship service.

As we approach A.D. 2000 the world is aware of the Y2K problem. I think the church should also be aware of her own spiritual problems. Sometimes we Christians are less serious about our own problems than secular business people are theirs. I worry that we might end in failure while secular businesses overcome their problems. The church should be a place filled with love and grace, but this does not mean that the church should be just a place filled with honey-tongued speech. I think that criticism and rumors should be prohibited but admonition and encouragement should be welcome in the true church. Don't turn your eyes away from the problems that we should overcome by the grace of God, and work hard to keep our church as one in which the congregation is seeking a pure heart and a holy life.

Sincerely,

Pastor Kunizo Nakao

2000

"Stand at the crossroads and look...
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls."
(Jeremiah 6:16)

This year we are celebrating our 70th anniversary. It is my privilege to be a pastor of our church during this memorable time. As I celebrate our 70th anniversary, I would like to show my appreciation to the Nisei people and long standing members of the church. I still remember how Mr. Tom Mukai welcomed me along with other Eigo and Nichigo members at the airport, when I first arrived in San Diego to commence my ministry. They have been generous to the pastors. They have been patient in accepting my shortcomings and weaknesses and at times covered my faults. I was almost spoiled by their kindness. When they were kind to me, I tried to accept the generous spirit in which it was bestowed. In the days after I came here, they went to their heavenly home one by one. I really miss them. After I learned the history of our church, I found that the pioneer people were so faithful to the Lord Who was faithful to them. I have been trying to teach the Nichigo people to respect these earlier pioneers, to appreciate their heritage, and to assume their legacy. I think the spirit of the Isseis was handed over to the Nichigo people as well as Nisseis. I hope that the younger people will take our legacy more seriously. Have you ever thought why we are called a "Holiness Church?" What does it mean when we call ourselves "Japanese" Christian church? I believe that learning from history is one of the essential aspects of celebrating our 70th anniversary. I propose that we make opportunities for listening to the Niseis and long standing members when opportunities arise.

An integral part of celebrating our 70th anniversary is in seeking God's vision for the future. San Diego County is growing fast. I have heard that over fifty thousand people have moved into San Diego during the past two years. We have experienced this growth when we drive in heavy traffic on the freeways. New homes are built everywhere and most shopping malls are crowded. We have a lot of opportunities to reach out to the people around us. In San Diego County there are three conference churches, but only our church has an English department. It offers a good opportunity to start other English departments at new locations as well as at our existing churches (including Rancho La Costa Church and Vista Church). I hope that we will go forward to reach unchurched people with a well-planned strategy and a sincere, strong and spiritual leadership.

This year is the concluding year of the current vision statement that was adapted by both departments in 1997. We need to evaluate the efforts we have made towards implementing it and why we failed to reach our goal. No one likes to look at his or her own problems although some people like to accept others' problems. We can never reach the established goal, however, without examining the problems (in order to resolve them and not for the purpose of criticizing or blaming others). I found an interesting paragraph regarding this idea from a book that I translated for the Nichigo people as Lenten devotions.

"I am reminded of the story of the missionary who arrived at his new post just in time to see a body floating down the river. The missionary jumped into the river and hauled the body ashore. The next day, as the body was being buried, two more bodies came floating down the river. Each day more burials and more bodies. In short order, the missionary had the whole village organized to deal with the bodies floating down the river. Some were assigned to fetch the bodies from the river, some prepared the bodies for burial, some built coffins, and some dug the graves. They became very efficient at claiming and burying bodies. One day the missionary's supervisor arrived at the village, and was shown the entire operation with some pride. The missionary was crushed when his supervisor said he was impressed with the organization but wondered if anyone had gone up the river to find out why people were dying." (Joseph Creedon, Our Journey into Change)

Who will go up the river to find out the cause of the problems? Who will pray for spiritual recovery? Who will work hard for the development of the ministries? Who will take the initiative and accept the leadership for revising the vision statement for the next five years? I'm praying that we do not ignore the mountain of problems, but instead climb the mountain and overcome any problems by the grace of the Lord.

At His Feet,

Kunizo Nakao