We were both raised in wonderful Christian homes and graduated from Prairie Bible College. Steve came to Japan as a summer missionary with SEND during his Bible school years. It was at that time that God confirmed a strong desire to be involved in ministry in Japan. Steve realized that God wanted to use the talents that He had given him to help evangelism in this country.

God called Belva Rae to Japan as a young child of nine years. Many missionaries had stayed in her home, an opportunity that God used to clarify that He wanted her life to be lived among Japanese to be a light shining in their dark world.

Our philosophy of ministry has always included our entire family, as we feel strongly that God has called us as a family to this land. All six of our kids have worked alongside us and throughout our city. They have often created an in-road for us to share Christ love and salvation. Our youngest, Brianna, still works alongside us and has her own ways of reaching people in her sphere.

It has been our joy to work at Okutama Bible Chalet for 40 years in leadership of Grounds & Maintenance, Main Directorship and Food Service.

This Term our focus is to LIVE AMONG THE LOST as we follow up with relationships of our past 42 years here in Japan. Building relationships to bring people to Jesus is our focus in our community. Being available to our local church, Ome Christ Church, for outreach, programming and music is part of our ministry as well.

We have been heavily involved in disaster relief since the Tohoku Triple Disaster occurred on March 11, 2011. It has been a privilege to reach out to so many hurting peoples and through the many relief donations to Kotlarczyks Relief Fund (an ongoing project) be able to take tons of relief supplies up north. We continue now with "heart care," seeking ways to share God’s hope with many whose trust we have gained. Minami Sanriku was a hard-hit area where there was no initial church before the earthquake/tsunami disaster and has become burrowed into our hearts.

Contact us at theks4jesus@yahoo.com.

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• Ministry focus: Evangelism through church ministries.
• Arrived: July 16, 1984
• Our kids: Stephanie, Elizabeth, Lenora, Caleb, Sarah and Brianna
• Psalm 37:3-5 — “Trust in the Lord … Delight in the Lord … Commit everything you do to the Lord.”