Kusatsu Church stands like any other house on the side of a busy street in Japan, with many people passing by every day. The Gaub family has been serving there for almost 20 years and, together with other missionaries and Japanese workers have seen the church go through many changes, challenges and buildings.
This year brings another challenge, as from July the building will be demolished and a new church building will be built at the same site.
In the 30 year history of the church, meetings have taken place in a variety of different places. The first was a little ‘garden house’ next to an office building and then into an ordinary home in a different area of town. After this, miraculously, the former building was able to be used again until the owner sold it. The most difficult time was in the middle of the economic bubble when it was almost impossible to find a place to rent so for more than 6 months the church meeting was held in different locations until they were able to rent a tiny coffee bar which they used for 8 years.
11 years ago the church was able to buy an old glasses shop to use for meetings and a pastors house - and this is the longest time that the church has been able to meet in one place. 4 years later they were also able to buy the adjacent parking lot - which was the location of the first meeting place, the 'garden house'.
There are many hopes connected with building a new church meeting place. Currently there is only one room and no entrance area so they will be able to build smaller rooms for different activities and ministries. Also, to have a separate area for the pastors to live in so they do not need to use the church meeting room. The Gaub's also hope it will be easier for new people to join in meetings if the room is not too small and feels more welcoming.
The dream for a new church building has been in the Gaub’s heart for many years and the biggest challenge has been to realize God's timing. They do not want the congregation to be motivated out of human spirit, but to find the right balance in God's timing and will.
So for a long time the church was only able to dream, pray together and gather information about a new building. But when people in the church started making donations and promises they were able to start with their plans and contract a Christian architect.
About 70% of the needed finances are already pledged or given and the remaining 30% they will cover with volunteer work.
If you feel called to come to Japan to help with this project we would be very excited.
Please pray for wisdom and patience with the building project, and that God would be glorified in all areas.
Also pray for safety as people work on the building, and for the neighbours who live around the church to be patient with the building site.