Stewardship & Giving 

At Ekklesia Iwakuni, we believe that all we have belongs to God and that we are called to be faithful stewards of His resources for the advancement of His Kingdom. However, our approach to giving is unique, shaped by our specific mission and our current standing as a new church plant on a military installation.

We are committed to a model of ministry that prioritizes the mission over the machinery. Because of the unique way God has provided for us, we are able to operate with virtually zero overhead.

Our Financial Philosophy

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    Bi-Vocational Leadership

    Our entire church leadership is bi-vocational. They do not receive a salary or any financial compensation from the church, finding their joy in serving the body freely while supporting their families through their own professional vocations.

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    No Building Costs

    Because we currently do not own or rent a permanent facility, we are spared the financial burden of mortgages, utilities, and maintenance.

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    Member-Supported Supplies

    Every tangible element of our worship—from the ink and paper for our worship guides to the wine and grape juice for Communion—is provided directly by the families in our congregation. Even our Communion bread is baked fresh each week by the women of our church.

Tithes and Offerings

Because we are an American church body operating in Japan on a military base, without a sponsoring church in the United States, Ekklesia Iwakuni does not currently hold 501(c)(3) non-profit status. For this reason, and because our administrative costs are currently met through direct member involvement, we do not take up a formal tithe or offering during our services.

If you feel led to contribute to the immediate needs of our local body, we ask that you speak directly with the church leadership. We can identify specific, tangible needs (such as supplies or hospitality costs) that you can help fulfill directly.

"Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." — 1 Corinthians 4:2

Supporting the Global Mission

While we do not collect funds locally, we believe in the importance of the tithe and the financial support of the global Church. We strongly encourage our parishioners to be generous with the resources God has given them by supporting other faithful ministries, whether at your home of record in the States or through organizations laboring for the Gospel abroad.

If you are looking for a place to direct your giving, the church leadership would love to sit down with you. We can help you identify sound churches and Great Commission organizations that are faithfully furthering the Gospel and the "Crown Rights of King Jesus" around the world.

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." — 2 Corinthians 9:7

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Our needs are met through direct, tangible participation rather than a central treasury. Members volunteer to provide the specific items necessary for our life together—such as providing the materials necessary for the printing of the worship guides, providing the elements for the Lord’s Supper, or providing coffee and snacks for our Sunday gatherings. By removing the overhead of salaries and buildings, our "budget" is simply the sum of our members’ direct hospitality and service.

  • No. Because we do not have 501(c)(3) non-profit status, any personal funds you spend on supplies for the church or any direct gifts cannot be claimed as tax-deductible donations under U.S. law. This is one reason we encourage parishioners to direct their primary tithe to established ministries or their churches of record that are equipped to handle tax-exempt giving.

  • As we grow and the mission expands, our needs may change. If we eventually require a permanent rented space or collective resources for a specific mission project, the leadership will communicate those needs clearly to the congregation. For this foundational stage, however, we are committed to this "lean" model of direct member support.

  • We believe that every Christian should be practiced in the grace of giving. Since Ekklesia Iwakuni currently has no debts or payroll, we do not want to "hoard" the resources of the saints. We want to see your resources used effectively for the Kingdom—whether that means supporting a reformed missionary, a Christian school, or a faithful church in the States that is laboring to plant more congregations.

  • The best way to help is to speak with the leadership after a service or send us a message through the Contact Us page. We keep a running list of "liturgical and hospitality needs"—everything from printer paper to coffee and communion wine. We can let you know what is currently lacking so your contribution meets a specific, immediate requirement.