The church was started by Mark and Kathy Rossiter in their home
at 339-B as a Bible study. Mark was a Master Sergeant in the Air Force. The
Bible study was officially organized as a church on September 10, 1982. Pastor
Larry Hammons of the Yokota Baptist Church moderated the meeting. The meeting was
held in the Rossiter home with 19 people present. They were Mark and Kathy
Rossiter and their three sons, Russell, Bobby, and Richard; John and Diana
Smith; Kerri Moceri; Steve Bazis; Mike Enos; Dean Johnson; Mike Gehman; Margaret
Allen and her children, Mike, Heather, and Malcolm; John Mullendore; Larry
Hammons; and Bruce Shoemaker.
Pastor Hammons preached on “The Church as
Christ Designed It.” He then called the business meeting to order. John Smith
made a motion that the church be named Faith Baptist Church. Kerri Moceri
seconded and the motion passed. Pastor Hammons recommended that Mark Rossiter
become the first Pastor. This carried by a unanimous vote. John Smith was
elected treasurer with Steve Bazis as assistant treasurer. Diana Smith was
elected secretary. The constitution was discussed and Mark Rossiter was put in
charge of this. It was recommended that at least two missionaries be supported
at $50.00 per month to be voted on at a later date. In December 1982 the church
took on four missionaries at $50.00 per month.
As the work grew,
they rented a house near the airport/hot springs. One stated, “This was a
special fellowship. The inconveniences made it that much more special. Mark
led the services and people brought their own instruments for music. Mrs.
Rossiter brought her piano from home and played for the services.”
Later they were
able to rent the present building through the help of a Japanese friend, Mr.
Kondo. It had a bar downstairs and rooms upstairs. The bar was torn down and
the building became Faith Independent Baptist Church. The rooms upstairs were
used for Sunday school and nursery. Pews and books were donated by the Chapel
on base, because they had purchased new ones.
Eventually Jerry
Phillips, a missionary to the US Military with BIMI, was called to pastor the
church. He and his wife Martha came in 1983. The Lord brought in new people
and the work continued to grow. A Christian School was started right away using
the ACE program.
Brother Phillips
pastored the church until February of 1989. Under his leadership the church
grew. The building was remodeled on both floors. The portable building now
used as a fellowship hall was purchased and set up in its present location.
Many people were won to Christ and encouraged in His service.
Brother Phillips
resigned and John Neal became interim pastor in February 1989 and held that
position until June when Mike and Helen Hearrell arrived. Brother Hearrell,
also a BIMI missionary to the US Military, was called as pastor on June 18,
1989. During his pastorate, further remodeling was done. Three houses were
rented for additional space. The school changed from ACE to the ABeka Video and
a two-story portable building was purchased for Sunday School and the Academy.
Brother Hearrell pastured the church until December 17, 1997. Under his
leadership scores of souls were won to Christ and encouraged in His service.
Brother Robert
Monteith, was saved at FBC in December of 1988 while stationed at Misawa Air
Base serving in the United States Air Force. He later felt God’s call into the
ministry. He separated from the Air Force in October of 1993, attended Bible
College, was accepted with Baptist International Missions, Inc. (1995), finished
deputation (1997) and then returned to Misawa to relieve Pastor Hearrell for a
year’s furlough. During this time, Brother Hearrell felt God’s call to go to
work with the military in Italy. Faith Baptist Church extended a call to the
pastorate to Brother Monteith. Believing it was God’s will for him to remain at
Misawa and take over the work, Brother Monteith accepted that call and was voted
in as pastor on December 17, 1997. Brother Monteith served faithfully at Misawa until March 2009, when God called him to Okinawa.
Brother Sammy Popwell is our current Pastor at FBC. He is a retired marine and has served as a pastor both overseas and in the southern United States. Read more about our current Pastor and his wife.
God continues to do
a work here through His church. People are being saved and baptized. Men are
being called to preach. Families are being called to the mission field.
Families and individuals are being strengthened and lives are being changed.
“To God be the glory, great things He hath done!”
