OUR COLLEGE

CBI JAPAN & CHURCH FACILITIES

Welcome to the Koinonia Cafe, the heart of CBI Japan! Our Bible College campus is located in Ginowan City, right at the heart of Okinawa. We share a building with our host church, Calvary Chapel Ginowan. There are many convenient stores, supermarkets, post offices and laundromats in the area which makes running daily errands an easy task.

Our home church Calvary Chapel Ginowan.

Senior Pastor Tommy Ruiz and his wife Joanna lead the church while Pastor Hiromichi Kinjo and Anna Hebel direct the Bible College. Coming to CBI Japan is to step into an active and vibrant community. The Koinonia Cafe serves as the common area to study and do homework as well as a place for our fellowship nights, Wednesday night services with the church, and night classes during the week. Wifi and study resources are freely available. Students can enjoy local roasted coffee beans and world famous HARIO brand equipment to make their coffee.

Although not a cafe business, we are open to the public. Many locals come and visit for coffee and information about the church or English classes. We find this is a great opportunity to share the love of Christ with everyone who comes through our doors.

College Dorms

The campus dormitories, also known as the Girls & Guys Discipleship houses, are walking distance from campus. The girls live on the first floor of our church owned building in Nagata and the boys share two Japanese apartments 1 minute-walk away from the church. Japan is very safe and students can walk freely back to the dorms at night without worrying. There are various supermarkets, convenient stores and laundromats near the dorms.
Since the guys dormitory recently moved, we are working on a new video to showcase the facilities.

Daily student life

Tuesday thru Friday are regular school days. Students and interns gather for breakfast at 8:30 am at the Cafe and start their day with the recorded teachings of Pastor Chuck Smith, aka "Chuck Tracks". Throughout the day, there are various classes and ministry service requirements. Students typically finish their day after dinner at 6 pm unless there are classes, Bible studies, or events they are attending afterwards. In that case, they typically finish at 9 pm. The students study and work mainly at the church and return to their dorms only at night. As students arrange their schedule, they also get their daily service tasks assigned such as cleaning, meal prep in-between classes, or ministry placements on Wednesdays or Friday Nights.  Mondays are "off" and students are encouraged not to study, but to rest.  Saturdays are "Fun days" and Sundays are, of course, for service.  

On the weekends, the students and interns clean their dormitories and go on fun outings and sightseeing trips around the island. A suggested spending allowance for attending students is about $20-$30 per week. Dinner is provided at the college even on off- days but weekend breakfasts and lunches are "on-your-own."

As the Bible College and the church are closely connected, Sundays are our ministry days, where we serve in various ministries at the church including: Children’s, Youth, Worship or Coffee ministries or join in with the main service to build friendships with our congregation members. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Do I need to know Japanese to come to CBI Japan?

No. If this is your first semester at CBI Japan or if you have never taken a Japanese class, we offer a beginner’s Japanese class here at the college. You will learn cultural do’s and dont’s, simple conversational Japanese, and how to read the Japanese alphabets. Ministry at the church helps provide an opportunity to practice what you learn in the classroom.

Will I be able to participate in ministry with locals?

Yes. We have various ministries and Bible Studies in our church that reach all over the island. There are many Japanese churches we minister to, and even have connections to local community service organizations you can attend to make connections and share the Gospel.

Will I have time to travel or explore on my own?

Only a little. The semester is very busy and we do not have fall or spring breaks at the college. In the 16 weeks at CBI Japan there is much to see. While you are able to explore the island with locals, attend the South Korea or Taiwan missions trip or go on other scheduled weekly outings, personal travel will most likely not be possible until after you have finished your semester. That being said, our interns often take trips to other islands, as well as to mainland Japan for ministry or missions conferences and frequently take the students along.

How much personal space will I have in the dorms?

Personal space is limited. Every student has a bunk bed (top or bottom) and a space for their suitcase. There are very little storage spaces in the guys' dorm due to the sizes of the apartments, so you will live out of your suitcase. The size of the closet spaces in the girls dorms vary. Students and interns share rooms, so we respect each other's space and privacy. 

Will I have Wifi at the dorms?​

Yes and No. The Girl’s house has Wifi, but the Guy’s dorm does not. Students can use Wifi freely at the church and usually only spend nights at the dormitories.
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We recommend applying for a travel sim from your home country for your stay in Japan to always be connected. Wifi spots in local places might be spotty.

How much free time WILL I have between classes and on weekends?

Saturdays and Mondays are the days without classes. The students have time to do their homework, visit local cafes, the malls or the beach on these days. Dinner is provided at the college even on off- days but some breakfasts and lunches are “on-your-own.” Every Monday students can explore the island on thier own. The Bible College schedule and ministry is very busy and there is little free time during the week to go out.

More Questions? Contact us on Instagram or email us!