Profile of Ed Kawasaki by Kathy Aiso 2 Profile of Ed Kawasaki Continued 3 GVBC 2015 Golf Tournament 4 Family News Mission Field 5 FYI Events Calendar 6 Announcements 7 Our Worship Schedule 8 Greenhouse Middle School Youth Ministry Summer Events 4 Inside this issue Issue 12 July 1, 2015 Dear Friends: Nancy and I were on vacation last week, so I was not here when the Supreme Court made the ruling creating a federally recognized right for same-sex couples to marry. It has been framed as, “love won”. I have decided that we need to talk about how we, as GVBC, live in an America that is changing. How do we live as Ambassadors for Christ from His Kingdom in America where we live, work and play? So, on Sunday, July 19, I will address these issues. In the meantime – it’s summer for our Children and Youth Ministries and it is a good time to make disciples of Christ through our Vacation Bible School (VBS) and our Summer Youth Camp. Both of these programs take a lot of volunteers to operate. The goal is to develop each child and youth, who is a follower of Jesus, to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus. So, start praying for our VBS and Youth Camps. Equally important is that we invite children and youth who do not know Jesus, so that they will come to know Jesus and His love for them. Our two programs are designed to present the Gospel to each person who comes to VBS or Youth Camp. The question is, “Who is inviting them?” It’s up to you and me to invite children and youth to these programs. We have scholarships available to have your guest attend with no financial burden. I trust the Lord will guide you in inviting individuals and families you know to these programs for God’s glory. We live in a complex and hurting world and our only hope is in Jesus Christ. You are His Ambassador; His spokesperson. I pray for us as we follow Him. His child, Pastor Steve
Transcript
Profile ofEd Kawasakiby Kathy Aiso
2
Profile ofEd Kawasaki
Continued3
GVBC 2015Golf Tournament 4
Family NewsMission Field 5
FYI EventsCalendar 6
Announcements 7
Our WorshipSchedule 8
GreenhouseMiddle SchoolYouth Ministry
Summer Events
4
Inside this issue
Issue 12July 1, 2015
Dear Friends:
Nancy and I were on vacation last week, so I was not here when theSupreme Court made the ruling creating a federally recognized rightfor same-sex couples to marry. It has been framed as, “love won”. Ihave decided that we need to talk about how we, as GVBC, live inan America that is changing. How do we live as Ambassadors forChrist from His Kingdom in America where we live, work and play?So, on Sunday, July 19, I will address these issues.
In the meantime – it’s summer for our Children and Youth Ministriesand it is a good time to make disciples of Christ through ourVacation Bible School (VBS) and our Summer Youth Camp. Both ofthese programs take a lot of volunteers to operate. The goal is todevelop each child and youth, who is a follower of Jesus, to betransformed into the likeness of Jesus. So, start praying for our VBSand Youth Camps.
Equally important is that we invite children and youth who do notknow Jesus, so that they will come to know Jesus and His love forthem. Our two programs are designed to present the Gospel toeach person who comes to VBS or Youth Camp. The question is,“Who is inviting them?” It’s up to you and me to invite children andyouth to these programs. We have scholarships available to haveyour guest attend with no financial burden. I trust the Lord will guideyou in inviting individuals and families you know to these programsfor God’s glory.
We live in a complex and hurting world and our only hope is inJesus Christ. You are His Ambassador; His spokesperson. I pray forus as we follow Him.
His child,Pastor Steve
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MISSION MINDEDPROFILE OF ED KAWASAKIBY KATHY AISO“There are borders between countries, and fences between houses, butthe Gospel of Life is boundless.” — North Korean church planter
Edwin [Ed] Kawasaki is pro-missions. He wholeheartedly supported his wifeIzumi and 22-year-old daughter Hana in their various short-term missions [see Izumi’sprofile in the April 1, 2015 Issue 6 Spirit].
A family on a mission
In January, Izumi, was part of the nine-member GVBC team including Pastor SteveLangley who went to Thailand to work on a water project and provide public sanitationfacilities for a village of Chiang Mai. Hana just completed a one-year assignment atthe Baptist Mission in Hawaii where she helped international college students learnEnglish and also conducted a Bible study. She earned her B.A. at Oklahoma BaptistUniversity which is a strong spiritual and academic institution of higher learning. Likeher mom, Hana plans to go into teaching. “Hana’s career goal is to work in a job,where she can make a difference,” Ed beams. “I’m so happy Hana is embracing theLord and wanting to do something significant with her life.” Next year, she will teachEnglish in Hungary for a non-profit organization.
Grateful for missionaries
Missions is close to Ed’s heart. He is grateful for missionaries who visited his paternalgrandfather’s home in Japan in the early 1900’s. With the goal to evangelize, they lefta Bible which Ed’s grandfather, Shigewo Kawasaki, began reading at age 12. TheBible had a direct influence on Shigewo who later became a Christian. Two yearsearlier, the affluent Kawasaki family lost everything through a flood. The extendedfamily had businesses related to motorcycles, steel, and shipbuilding. Throughfinancial hardship, life became difficult for 10-year-old Shigewo and his family.
At age 18, he came to the U.S. to earn money. At age 19, Shigewo earned thenickname Happy from a young person he met who became a type of English tutor tohim. Shigewo’s sunny demeanor matched his nickname — he loved to laugh. Thenickname stuck and he became known as Happy.
In 1918, Shigewo worked different jobs in Northern California, Oregon, and Utah. Hewas especially talented as a cook. He relocated to New Jersey, but eventually went toSikeston, Missouri where he worked in a teahouse. By then in his early 20s, Shigewoattended a Christian church. Through the kindness of a Christian, he received a loanof $3,000 to start a Japanese restaurant. He also met his future wife, Maggie, anAmerican telephone operator. Eventually, Shigewo and Maggie married. Later, theiryoung family of four moved to Elyria, Ohio where he found steady work. For 25 years,Shigewo worked as a chef at the town’s Graystone Hotel. Shigewo & Maggieeventually had 10 children. They also took in a distant relative’s child which gave them11 children in the household.
A true pioneer
Ed can see God’s hand on his grandfather throughout his life. A true pioneer, Shigewowas the only Japanese person in town. Following the devastating 1920s earthquake,Shigewo’s church asked him to speak about its impact in Japan. His testimony to 500people in the congregation helped raise money for the earthquake victims. “Grandpawas nervous,” Ed shared, “but realizing how important it was for him to speak, hegave a 45-minute testimony in halting English.” One winter, Ed’s grandparents andchildren became homeless when their house burned down. God provided a temporaryhome through another family member who took them in. Eventually, Shigewo found aproperty with a barn. The family slept in tents while over a period of time Shigewodismantled the barn and used the wood to build a three-bedroom house for his family.Amazingly, his only tools were a meat saw and hammer.
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THE BIBLEINFLUENCED
THE KAWASAKIHOUSEHOLD
THROUGH THEGENERATIONS
ED & IZUMI
KAWASAKI
3
PROFILE OFED KAWASAKI CONTINUED
World War II breaks out
In the 1940’s when World War II broke out, Shigewo was interrogated by thegovernment because of his Japanese ancestry. The government garnished 50% of hiswages. After the war he received the money back. During WWII, Shigewo’s oldestchild (Ed’s father Edwin) served in the army. In Germany, Edwin met his futureGerman wife, Lore (Ed’s mother). They married in Germany. Eventually after returningto Ohio, Edwin and Lore had a son, Edwin Pope Kawasaki II [Ed]. Ed’s younger sister,Mary, followed. Ed and Mary grew up attending church with their parents. In juniorhigh, Ed accepted Christ at church by himself. Having grown up in church, he felt itwas part of a natural process to become a Christian.
An outstanding student, Ed graduated in June 1968 from Brecksville High School asco-valedictorian. Following in his father’s footsteps, Ed became a chemical engineer,receiving his B.S. from Ohio State University. Although he achieved academically inhigh school and college, he gradually fell away from attending church. In college, heattended church sporadically. By the time he started working, he stopped altogether.
Going to Japan led him to his future wife and the Lord
With an interest in photography, Ed was excited to land his first job at Kodak. Afterover a decade had passed, Kodak sent him to Japan because of his solid, broadtechnical background. Ed met his future wife, Izumi, at the Berlitz Language Schoolwhere he learned to speak Japanese. There were six instructors and Ed affirmed thatIzumi was the best. In 1990, Ed and Izumi married in Tokyo. Hana was a toddler whenthey moved to Rochester, N.Y. in 1993. Through Izumi’s suggestion, they beganattending church for Hana. In N.Y., Izumi became a Christian, having found the Lordthrough Hana’s influence. Through Ed’s job, the family moved to Arkansas where theyfound a good church — First Baptist Church of Bentonville. Ed began actively growingin his Christian faith through Bible study. He came to realize the importance ofstudying the Bible which was necessary for spiritual growth.
Through their jobs, the Kawasaki’s moved to Southern California around 2011. Aftervisiting different local churches, they decided to make GVBC their church home. AtGVBC, Ed wanted to continue to grow in his faith so he (as well as Izumi) joined acommunity group which studied the Word. In realizing the importance of following theLord’s example, Ed was baptized by Pastor Steve Langley in 2014. He feels that all ofthe pastors at GVBC are great, helping the body to grow in the Word and mature inChrist.
“Love is patient, love is kind . . .”
A big blessing in his life, Izumi epitomizes I Corinthians 13:4-8 to Ed. His favorite Biblepassage reads,
“Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; loves does not bragand is not arrogant. Does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek itsown, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures allthings. Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they willbe done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there isknowledge, it will be done away.”
“After Izumi became a Christian, God gave her a glow,” Ed shared. “She becameloving and caring on an even deeper level. Being evangelical, Izumi brought some ofher friends to the Lord. She grows sweeter every year!”
As Ed grows in his Christian walk through study of the Word, ministry, and fellowship,God has made him more sensitive to evangelizing to his personal mission field here.
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GOING TOJAPAN LED EDTO HIS FUTUREWIFE AND THE
LORD
ED & IZUMI KAWASAKIWITH THEIR DAUGHTERHANA
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Friday, August 1410:00 a.m. check in beginsDriving range openPutting contest (ends at 11:30 a.m.)12:00 p.m. shotgun startRio Hondo Golf Course, Downey
Amateur golfers only
Par 3 Hole-in-One Prizes:
2015 Nissan Car sponsored by Gardena Nissan and additional prizes.
Fee: $150 Early Bird Special (includes 7 free raffle tickets)DEADLINE for Early Bird Special: payment and registration MUST BE received by Sunday,
July 12.Fee after deadline: $165Fee includes: Lunch & dinner banquet; shared golf cart; hole-in-one on par
3s; Tee gifts/tournament polo shirt; range balls
Our annual GVBC Golf Tournament raises funds to support our seminariansas well as GVBC’s Friday Food Ministry — feeding the disadvantaged andhomeless.
Sponsorship Levels/Raffle Packages: We would be thankful for anysupport from: Corporate sponsorships, Tee-sign sponsors, raffle giftdonations such as gift certificates, golf equipment/accessories, tickets tosporting events, merchandise, small appliances, gift baskets, etc. We alsoneed golfers.
Platinum Sponsor: $2,500 or more entry for 4 players in tournament with Options Package,Tee sign and recognition in tournament booklet
Gold Sponsor: $1,000 entry for 2 players in tournament with Options Package, Tee signand recognition in tournament booklet.
Silver Sponsor: $500 entry for 1 player in tournament with Options Package, Tee sign andrecognition in tournament booklet.
Tee Sponsor: $100 with a Tee sign placed on the course.
Registration & applications: In the Courtyard after the worship services . Look for the GolfTournament table or pick up an application in the office.
2015 GVBC GOLF TOURNAMENTIN MEMORY OF PERRY MIYAKE
Tuesday, July 7 — Sky Zone, 6:00 — 8:00 p.m., 1625 W. 190th St., Gardena, cost: $10 + money for food, if youlike.
NOTE: All jumpers MUST sign online waiver (parent or guardian MUST sign if under 18). Please sign online waiverat: http://www.skyzone.com/torrance/OnlineWaiver.aspx
Tuesday, July 14 — NO ACTIVITY (due to VBS)
Tuesday, July 21 — Kickball @ Guenser Park, 6:00 — 8:30 p.m., 17800 Gramercy Pl., Torrance, Cost: FREE!
Tuesday, July 28 — Gym Night, 6:00 — 8:30pm, Community Hall, cost: FREE!
For more information contact Layne Wakuta, ext. 682, or email: [email protected]
GREENHOUSE TUESDAY SUMMER FUNMIDDLE SCHOOL — YOUTH MINISTRY
FAMILY NEWSA NEW COMMAN I GIVE YOU: LOVE ONE ANOTHER . . . — JOHN 13:34
OUR PRAYERS AND CONDOLENCES GO OUT TOBitsy Mukaihata and family in the passing of her sister, Ida Nagai, who passed away on Thursday, June 11.
Henry & Sanaye Nagami and family in the passing of Henry’s brother, Masanori Nagami, who passed away onWednesday, June 17. The private service was held on June 29.
Wayne & Marcia Tofukuji and family in the passing of Wayne’s father who passed away on Sunday, June 21. A privateservice was held on Wednesday, July 1 at Green Hills Cemetery.
James & Yuri Ogawa and family in the loss of James’ sister, Sachi Ogawa. The memorial service arrangement ispending.
WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENTSCongratulations to Daren & Diana [Sakata] Lou who were married at GVBC on Saturday, June 27. PastorFred Tanizaki [pictured at right with Daren & Diana] from Wintersburg Presbyterian Church officiated. Proudfamilies are Carl & Lesli Lou and Daren’s sister, Channing; Diana’s sister & brother-in-law Paul & MonicaMatsushima.
LETTERS FROM OUR CHURCH FAMILYDear GVBC, Thank you for your words of comfort, cards of sympathy and the beautiful floral wreath for my dad, FrankFujta’s memorial service. Thank you to Pastor Steve Langley for his prayers, support and visits to Dad. We are thankfulhe could officiate Dad’s graveside service [on June 11]. We are comforted by the thought Dad knew Christ and he is inheaven with Mom. With heartfelt thanks, Peter, Pauline, Thomas & Christy Kaneshige
Dear Friends, On behalf of the City of Gardena, our sincere thanks for your April & May donation of $2,070 [from ourLOVE Fund] for our emergency food pantry. Thank you for caring about others in your community. Sincerely, JamesKimmons, Recreation Supervisor, by Susie Santana, Recreation Coordinator
OUR MISSION FIELDTHEREFORE, GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS. — MATTHEWS 28:19
MICHAEL & CHRIS MASON, OASIS CHURCH (PREVIOUSLY SAKAI INTERNATIONALBIBLE CHURCH), JAPANIn June, the Masons traveled back to the states. They will be here for two months. Theiritinerary includes participating in Mt. Hermon Family Camp and visiting many of theirsupporting churches in Southern California as well as family. The Masons affirm their church,Oasis, has been doing well for the past six months. They ask prayer for the weekly Sundaymeetings while they are gone. Also, they would like prayer for all the members, some of whom lack confidence to servein different capacities; pray God gives the Oasis members courage to serve in new and potentially challenging ways atchurch. On June 12, Kansai Christian School ended their school term. The highlight for the Masons that day was theirson, Luke’s, graduation from junior high school. In the upcoming school year, which begins in September, Chris willbecome the new fulltime 1st-2nd grade teacher. Once again, Michael will assume the role as school chaplain. Thankyou for praying for Kansai School and the five new teachers coming on board, staff unity, and Chris as she prepares forher new position. As the Masons visit their supporting churches, they ask for their time with each to be a blessing to all.Please also pray their stay here would provide spiritual, emotional, and physical renewal. Their last two years have beentheir most stressful among the 18 years of ministry in Japan. The Masons are looking forward to seeing their families. InAugust, they will stay next door to where Chris’s parents are situated. Please pray for Chris’ parents who continue tostruggle with their new living situation. For a few days in June and a week in July, the Masons plan to visit Michael’sfamily in the Northwest. Pray for quality time with both families. “Thanks again for all your prayer and support on ourbehalf. We look forward to seeing many of you in the coming months,” write Michael and Chris.
Ken and Diane Kudo, Overseas Crusades SEPAL Sao Paulo, BrazilLucia (a single woman) and a couple, Lincoln and Karia, who were mentioned in a previousnewsletter, are on their way to serve as missionaries in Cambodia. Before heading to Cambodia, theywill have an orientation course in Singapore. In Cambodia, Lucia, Lincoln, and Karia will receivelanguage acquisition, cultural adaptation, and then begin their evangelistic ministry. On a recentSaturday, Ken met with a select group of young men and women (chosen by the church elders). Thegroup was composed of those about to enter college, university students, and professionals. From6:00 — 11:00 a.m., Ken explained, taught, and challenged them to “Go (to the mission field) or stay AND prayand support.” Ken requests prayer the Holy Spirit raise up a new batch of candidates from this capable groupto commit their lives to missions in Vietnam and Myanmar. Thank you for keeping all our missionaries in prayer. 5
FYI EVENTS CALENDAR
SEMINARS BY DR. PATRICK ZUKERANJuly 8 & 9, 7:00 — 9:00 p.m., Sanctuary, evidence for faithand hope and answers to today’s challenges. Wednesdaynight: “Why Am I a Christian” and “New Argument AgainstGod.” Thursday night: “Why I Believe in an Afterlife” and“Why Jesus is the Only Way.” For youth and up.
NO SENIOR EXERCISE ON THE MONDAYS OF:July 6 to July 27, and August 3. We will still meet onWednesdays and Fridays only during July. Our regularexercise schedule will resume starting Monday, Aug. 10.
OFFICE CLOSED Friday, July 3, for Independence Day
BILINGUAL SERVICESaturday, July 11, 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary. The theme is “Joy.”Pastor Eiji Osato will speaking and there will also be somepersonal testimonies. Refreshments served in Room 201after the service. Everyone welcome. For more info contactPastor Eiji Osato, ext. 676, [email protected].
FREE JABA LEGAL CLINICSaturday, July 18, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., GVBC. Do you havelegal questions you would like to speak to a lawyer about?The Japanese American Bar Association (JABA) will beholding a FREE legal clinic at GVBC. You can speak to alawyer practicing in family, contracts, consumer,immigration, estate planning, and more. Japanesetranslation available. No appointments accepted. Firstcome, first served. You will have a 30-minute one-on-onesession with a lawyer(s) of your choice. For moreinformation contact James Chang, ext. 679, email:[email protected].
MEN’S BREAKFASTSaturday, July 25, 8:00 — 10:00 a.m., Room 113 (adjacentto the kitchen). All men welcome to join us for a deliciousbreakfast and video series called “God at War” from thesame producers of “Not a Fan.” Sign up in the Courtyardafter the worship services or call the church office.
~ UPCOMING EVENTS ~
NEXT WORK DAYSaturday, August 1, starting at 8 AM. Come when you canand leave when you must. No experience needed.
HIGH SCHOOL & MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER CAMPSunday, August 2 to Friday, August 7, Oak Glen ChristianConference Center. Contact Layne Wakuta, ext. 682,[email protected].
SUMMER CONCERTSunday, August 9, 3 PM. Contact Wendy Katagi.
GVBC GOLF TOURNAMENTFriday, August 14, 12:00 p.m. shotgun start, Rio Hondo GolfCourse, Downey. Registration starts this Sunday, June 21in the Courtyard after the worship services [see page 7].
CLASSES AT GVBCSunday, August 16, 12:30 — 4:30 p.m.101 Class, Membership and Baptism. For high school age
and up. For those seeking information about GVBC and whowould like to become a member and/or be baptized.201 Class, Designed to help you develop spiritual maturity.301 Class Part I & II, (August 16 & 23) DiscoveringMinistry. Learn about your unique spiritual gifts, yourS.H.A.P.E. (Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality,Experience) and take the next step in the ministryexploration process (must attend two-part series).401 Class, Redefining My Life’s Mission. Teaches you howto redefine your life’s mission and how you can live as awitness to Christ.Baptism Sunday August 30A light lunch is provided before each class. Register bychecking off the appropriate box on the back of yourConnection form or contact Jan Magnani, ext. 0 or e-mailher at: [email protected] [Class number in the subject line].
WOMEN’S NIGHT OF WORSHIPFriday, August 28, 7 PM in the Sanctuary, Room 201 &Courtyard. This will be a wonderful night of worship —singing praises to God led by Wendy Katagi and theWomen’s Worship Team.
OFFICE CLOSED Monday, September 7 Labor Day
2015 WOMEN’S WEEKENDNovember 6 & 7. Special speaker is Ellen Hong,. Fridaynight 7:00 — 8:00 p.m. will be a wonderful night of worship— singing praises to God led by Wendy Katagi and theWomen’s Worship Team and a devotional from Ellen Hong.From 8:00 — 9:00 p.m. there will be refreshments in Room201 and the Courtyard. On Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30p.m. we hear two messages from Ellen Hong, join in withdiscussion groups, enjoy a delicious lunch, and participate inafternoon activity which will be a mission project. We’ll endthe weekend with the Women’s Worship Team. Our directoris Chris Umetsu. More info to follow.
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INSTRUMENTALISTS NEEDEDFOR ADULT CHOIR
The Adult Choir is looking for instrumentalists to accompanythem in the Sanctuary during the August 2 first servicecommunion time. Kazuko Yasukawa will be playing thepiano and Gayle Asato will conduct the choir & musicians.
We’re looking for a violin/cello or violin/guitar or flute/guitarensemble.
Music sheets will be made available to you in the churchoffice or you can join our choir rehearsal on Thursdaynights, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. in Room 250 [no choir on Thursday,July 16, VBS week].
If you are interested in accompanying the Adult Choirplease contact Gayle Asato at [email protected] orcall the office and leave a message for Gayle.
NEXT SPIRIT ISSUEAvailable online Wednesday, July 22 at www.gvbc.net “OurNewsletter.” Hard copies available in the Narthex and the back of theCommunity Hall. All articles should be submitted by Sunday, July 19.
Announcements
WE NEED TWO WHEELCHAIRSDo you have a wheelchair that you would like todonate to GVBC?
We are looking to have 2 extra wheelchairs to bemade available for emergencies.
If so, please call the office.
SUMMER ICE CREAM SOCIALMonday, July 27, 6:00-8:00 P.M., Community Hall, Children games will be from 6:00-7:00 P.M.Bring your friends and family and enjoy some summer fun! The evening includes build-your-own icecream sundae, popcorn, games and crafts for kids, interactive hobby and learning exhibits andsummer entertainment.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDOur Summer Ice Cream Social is an evangelistic outreach event for all ages. The goal is to reach outto a friend who is unchurched, doesn't have a personal relationship with Jesus or someone whoyou've been praying for and invite them to come. We want to reflect Christ's love for our friends as achurch and as individuals, extending the hand of friendship to them. The event is all about sociallyinteracting with all who come and being reflectors and sharers of God's love.
We do NEED LOTS OF HELP as greeters, registration, kitchen and ice cream servers, popcornmakers, beverage servers, friendship relations, setup and clean up, kid's games and crafts, balloonanimals. hobby and learning exhibiters, such as: art, crafts, calligraphy, sports, photography, cookingexhibit, first aid demos, etc.
Volunteer sign up sheets are in the Narthex or the Courtyard at the Guest Center. We are praying formany volunteers and lots of invited guests.
For more info, contact Cindy Matsuda at the Guest Center in the Courtyard or email her at:[email protected]
WENDY KATAGI’S SUMMER CONCERTSunday, August 93:00 — 4:00SanctuaryWendy Katagi will be singing original songs and Wes Terasaki songs aboutGod's love as well as other favorites covering a broad range of genres fromBroadway/Opera to popular music. She will be accompanied by Tom Zink,Grammy nominated musician on piano. The Adult Choir will also join her.
FREE admission. Invite your friends and family! All ages welcome.
For more information, please contact Cindy Matsuda, Evangelism MinistryChairperson. Or, catch her at the Guest Center table in the Courtyard after theworship services. You can also email her at: [email protected].
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Gardena Valley Baptist Church1630 W. 158th StreetGardena, CA 90247-3712
