Far East Servicemen’s Home

In June 1956 a revival was experienced in a little mission church near Yokota Air Force Base, Japan. Most of the people attending the nightly meetings there at Fussa Bethel were American Servicemen. The powerful word of God was being preached by the Reverend Charles Hardin.

Out of this revival came a nucleus of zealous workers for God headed by Master Sergeant Harry S. Holman ard Master Sergeant William K. Gaylord. These workers, mostly Air Force personnel and a few dependents, plunged into a vigorous campaign of tract distribution in an effort to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ among the Japanese people.

The fellowship found in this group was so good that, as soon as the nightly meetings at Fussa Bethel were ended, Brother Gaylord’s house bulged at the seams every night except service night. He opened his home to all the servicemen. Soon it became evident that a larger place was needed to meet. Not having an immediate answer to the problem it was taken to the Lord in prayer. The Lord gave the inspiration of the Far East Servicemen’s Home where servicemen could come to spend their pass, leave, and R&R time in a Christian atmosphere and where worship services could be held.

A meeting was held shortly after to set up a workable organization and decide the first steps to be taken in making this inspiration a reality. Brother Alvin Williams, (Lt, USAF) was elected chairman and presided over the meeting.

It was decided that the organization would be called the Far East Servicemen’s Home and would eventually incorporate as a non-profit religious body; supported by tithes and offerings.

A corporation board of three was elected. Comprising this board were Alvin Williams, William K. Gaylord, and Hershell Spurlock. A larger board was eventually elected which consisted of a Supply Director, Public Information Director, Women’s Fellowship Circle Chairman, and an Evangelical Representative from each of the three nearby bases.

The assets of the Far East Servicemen's Home at that time totaled 88 tsubo of land, and a small one-room house which was located on missionary Ruth Kyllonen’s property. The land had been purchased and the house built by Christian servicemen most of whom had been stationed here before and already returned to the United States. A Finance Committee of three was elected, headed by the treasurer of the F.E.S.H..

The F.E.S.H. board elected to trade the one-room house to the missionary, Ruth Kyllonen, of Fussa Bethel for 61 tsubo of land adjoining our 88 tsubo. This provided 149 tsubo of land.
To build the F.E.S.H. on this plot of ground was considered impractical for several reasons: (1) It was too close to the railroad track, (2) It joined the Fussa Bethel property and since that was a Japanese Church, it was felt it would not be wise to start work for servicemen right near it. (3) It was felt a reasonably low-priced plot of ground could be found closer to Yokota Air Base and on the main highway connecting the three bases (Johnson, Yokota, and Tachikawa).

The search for the ideal site was begun. After passing up two offers of land near Yokota 553 tsubo were located which was being offered for $3,227.00. This was it! Thank the Lord He guided His people.
Difficulties were contemplated in buying because of the restrictions placed on the sale of farm land by General McArthur. God answered prayer in the affirmative.
Within 90 days the transaction had been completed giving permission to buy the ground and build on it.

The 149 tsubo of land near Fussa Bethel was sold for $805.55 and that provided the down payment for the new site. Construction of the home begun on 29 November, 1956.

On 20 February, 1957 the Home was completed at a cost of $4,751.06. All of the money, except one interest free loan of $2,500.00 came from tithes and free will offerings of the servicemen and interested individuals in the U.S..
Special speakers blessed the home and Church. Among these were General Superintendent Thomas J. Zimmerman, and Assistant Superintendent J. Phillip Hogan of the Assemblies of God.

Pastor Clifford Geedy was the first pastor in 1955 and left as pastor of the Far East Servicemen’s Home in December 1962. Brother Harry J. Peterson, a missionary, assumed direction of the home through May 1963. And Reverend D.E. Hundsdoerfer of Southern California assumed direction of the home in June 1963 for a the period of one year.

Yokota Christ Church
The number of Japanese converts grew and the need for more Japanese ministry in their native language grew. In 1983 Yokota Christ Church was birthed out of Yokota Christian Center and Sister Nishi Sensei became pastor under the Japan Assemblies of God. She retired in 1992 succeeded by Ino Sensei.

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