Japan Church Purchases Prime Property
The Church of God in Japan recently seized an incredible opportunity to purchase additional property next to the main church Tokyo Lighthouse. Located beside Route 1, a main highway connecting Tokyo to Yokohama and Kyoto, the land was needed for future growth and parking.
Assistant Pastor Eriya Yatsuzuka reports that while the new property cost almost $ 2.8 million, it was priced at a “miraculous discount,” far below current Tokyo market value. The church paid $ 4,400 dollars per square meter more for its present location in 1999. With a 25 year bank loan set at an interest rate of 1.5 % for the first five years, this is truly an incredible opportunity for the Church of God in Japan.
The church is now able to pursue additional Sunday worship services reaching more Japanese people. “ With the greater Tokyo area population exceeding 35 million people and a GDP of $ 1.5 trillion US dollars (2008), the opportunity for the Church of God to win and disciple more people to Christ in Japan is spiritually and strategically vital,” according to Regional Superintendent Marc A. Morris.
Pastor Kazumoto Yatsuzuka, the national overseer and senior pastor of Tokyo Lighthouse, has faithfully and effectively led the Church of God in Japan for more than forty years. In 2007, he was inducted into the Hall of Prophets at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary (PTS) in Cleveland.
“The church in Japan requests special prayer in the further development of the purchased property, as well as prayer for their beloved leader,” Morris stated. “Overseer Yatsuzuka has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy treatment. In spite of his personal battle, Pastor Yatsuzuka’s vision for growth and using every opportunity to win more Japanese to Jesus Christ remains steadfast. “