Graceway Hayward Christian Church

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Hayward, CA
Graceway Hayward Christian Church

Our primary calling is to the multi-generational, Asian American community and the Japanese-speaking community.

We are a gospel-centered community of discipleship for every generation
Founded by and building upon Japanese-speaking believers
Growing all people together in faith as one body in Christ

(We were formerly known as San Lorenzo Japanese Christian Church) MISSION (WHAT WE DO)
San Lorenzo Japanese Christian Church exists to bring all people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and to disciple, equ

ip, and support believers for outreach to the world. We fulfill this mission through consistent biblical teaching, authentic worship, sincere prayer, and Christ-like lifestyles. VISION (WHO WE WANT TO BECOME)
San Lorenzo Japanese Christian Church seeks to be a body of Christ followers committed to:

personal growth in faith, hope, and love in Jesus Christ,
church growth,
church planting, and
world missions. CORE VALUES (HIGHEST PRIORITIES, GUIDING PRINCIPLES)
With Jesus Christ as our focus and for the glorification of God, San Lorenzo Japanese Christian Church is committed to:

Serve (2 Timothy 1:3)
Adore (2 Timothy 4:18)
Nurture (2 Timothy 4:2)
Learn (2 Timothy 1:13)
Outreach (2 Timothy 1:8)

05/29/2026

As many of our graduates recently put on caps and gowns—robes of honor for their hard work—we see a similar picture in Esther 6 as Mordecai is unexpectedly clothed with honor after years of waiting. His story reminds us that God’s blessings often come in the most unexpected ways.

Many of us know what it feels like to wait. We serve faithfully, pray consistently, and try to do the right thing, yet feel unseen or overlooked. Mordecai understood that feeling. Five years earlier, he had saved King Ahasuerus’ life by exposing an assassination plot, but he received no recognition.

One sleepless night, the king ordered the royal records to be read and discovered Mordecai’s forgotten act of loyalty. What seemed like a small detail was actually God’s sovereign hand at work. Even when we can't see it, God often uses delays, disappointments, and unanswered seasons for our protection, growth, humility, and ultimate good.

At the same time, the story exposes the pride in Haman’s heart. When the king asked how to honor a worthy man, Haman assumed the honor was for himself. His pride demanded glory, recognition, and immediate reward. Pride says, “My way, in my time.” Yet the story reveals how self-centered pride blinds us and pulls us away from trusting God’s plan.

Instead of honoring himself, Haman was forced to honor Mordecai publicly—clothing him in royal robes, leading him through the city, and proclaiming his greatness. In a dramatic reversal, the forgotten man received honor while the prideful man was brought low.

This points us to the greater truth of the gospel. Though we deserve judgment because of our sin and pride, God gives us undeserved honor through Jesus Christ. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 teaches, Jesus took on our sin so we could be clothed in His righteousness. Because of Christ, God sees us forgiven, cleansed, and robed in honor as His sons and daughters.

The greatest honor we receive is not earned by achievement, status, or recognition, but by the grace of Jesus. Let us walk humbly before God, repent of our pride, trust His timing, and rejoice that His blessings come in the most unexpected ways.

05/21/2026

In Esther 4:1–3, Mordecai and the Jewish people are plunged into grief after Haman convinces the king to decree the destruction of all Jews in Persia. Mordecai refused to bow to Haman because he remained faithful to God, and that faithfulness led to suffering not only for him but for his people. Wearing sackcloth and ashes, the Jews mourned the reality of possible extinction.

Suffering is universal, and sometimes faithfulness to God can lead directly into hardship.

In Esther 4:4–11, Esther learns of the decree and faces a difficult choice. Mordecai asks her to approach the king and plead for her people, but doing so without being summoned could mean immediate death.

Esther is caught between fear and faith. In every trial, we are faced with choices: will we trust God and honor Him, or will we retreat in fear?

Finally, in Esther 4:12–17, Mordecai challenges Esther to act in faith, reminding her that perhaps she was placed in the palace “for such a time as this.” Esther calls the Jewish people to an intense three-day fast before she approaches the king. Though the outcome is uncertain, Esther chooses the path that requires trust in God the most. Faith does not eliminate fear, but it moves forward despite it.

Our suffering is never wasted in God’s hands. Faith in Jesus does not mean we avoid pain, but it does mean we have a God who walks with us through it.

Through the gospel and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we know God cares for us and is working through every trial for His good purposes. Life has its trials, but God still makes a way through them.

05/15/2026

Like Esther, many of us know what it feels like to be trapped by painful circumstances beyond our control. Yet the story of Esther reminds us of this powerful truth: God redeems both suffering and sin for His purposes.

Esther is brought into the harem of a ruthless king in a heartbreaking and sinful situation. It is an awful parade of selfish pleasure and abuse, yet even there, God is still working. What others mean for evil, God means for good.

First, we see that God’s redeeming love is still at work even in suffering. Esther was an orphan who lost both of her parents, but Mordecai lovingly adopted and cared for her. Even in the ashes of sorrow, there was still love and provision. Esther’s story becomes a beautiful picture of the gospel. We too were once lost and in need of rescue, yet through Christ, God adopted us into His family and became our protector and guardian.

Second, God’s faithful provision stands even in the midst of sin. Esther and the other women had no choice but to enter the king’s harem. The story grows darker as questions of morality, secrecy, and compromise arise. Mordecai tells Esther to hide her Jewish identity, and we wrestle with whether fear or ambition motivated that decision. Yet through all the tension and imperfection, God continues to work. God works through flawed people, sinful circumstances, and even our failures. This is not permission to sin, but it is hope that God is never done with us. Even when we lack courage or compromise our faith, God is still pursuing His good purposes.

Finally, God’s unstoppable grace prevails through both suffering and sin. Though King Ahasuerus acted in sinful and immoral ways, God sovereignly elevated Esther to become queen of Persia. What man intended for evil, God turned for good—not only for Esther, but for the salvation of His people.

And that sounds a lot like the gospel of Jesus Christ. We too have chased after lesser gods and worldly idols. Yet God, rich in mercy and full of grace, has not abandoned us. Instead, Christ died for us. He forgives us, restores us, and loves us beyond our sin and shortcomings. What a Savior we have in Jesus.

05/08/2026

Ruth is ultimately a story of redemption—God reaching down, taking hold of us, and lifting us out of what we could never escape on our own. My prayer today is that we would see more clearly the redeeming love of God through Jesus, our true Kinsman Redeemer.

Naomi and Ruth walked through pain, loss, and uncertainty, yet discovered that God’s way is better in the grand scheme of things. Naomi returned from Moab grieving the loss of her husband and sons, so overwhelmed she changed her name from Naomi, meaning pleasant, to Mara, meaning bitter. Yet Ruth remained faithful. Through Ruth 1–3 we’ve seen these truths unfold: faith clings to God’s steadfast love, God is working even when we don’t see it, and our Redeemer lives.

Now in chapter 4, everything comes together through Boaz, the kinsman redeemer. The big idea is this: God’s redeeming love transforms bitter hearts to better lives.

The story begins with funerals and ends with a wedding. Boaz redeems Naomi’s land and secures Ruth’s future, pointing us to Jesus, who paid the price for us with His life. Though bitterness can blind us to God’s work, loss and disappointment never get the final word—God does.

The people bless Ruth and Boaz with hope and legacy, not realizing Ruth would become part of the lineage of Jesus. Our hope is not wishful thinking but anchored in Christ, steadying us through life’s storms.

Finally, Naomi, once empty, becomes full again through the birth of Obed. Her story moves from despair to joy, loneliness to love. Often in the middle of pain, we cannot yet see the blessings God is writing.

Looking back over the years, I can now see God working through struggles, pressures, and uncertainties the whole time. His redeeming love was shaping something better.

So if you’re in a hard season, don’t believe this is the end of your story. There is a better future ahead, a deeper hope coming, and blessings you cannot yet see. Because Jesus, our Kinsman Redeemer, paid the price, your story is not defined by bitterness, but by redemption. And His way really is better.

05/01/2026

When we hear of something like the Artemis II—four people carried safely through the dangers of space—we’re reminded of something true about ourselves: we are more fragile than we like to admit. For all our strength and planning, our lives are still held together by things beyond our control. And deep down, we long to place our vulnerability into the hands of someone trustworthy—someone who can carry us through and bring us home.

That’s where the story of Ruth meets us. She and Naomi are utterly exposed—widowed, poor, without security. And in that place, they cry out for a redeemer. Naomi sends Ruth to Boaz, and Ruth takes a remarkable risk. With no safety net, she entrusts herself to his character, his integrity, his mercy.

Why? Because she knows she cannot save herself. And that’s where redemption begins—with the honest confession: *I am vulnerable. I am in need.*

But Ruth doesn’t just seek a redeemer—she seeks her redeemer. She goes to Boaz personally and says, “Spread your wings over me.” She entrusts herself not to an idea, but to a person she has come to know as good and faithful. And Boaz responds with kindness, honor, and promise. He sees her, he cares for her, and he commits to act on her behalf.

And here is the invitation for us: not just to believe in redemption in the abstract, but to know a Redeemer personally. To say not only “Christ saves,” but “Christ is my Savior—my refuge, my help, my hope.” The love of God is not distant or theoretical—it is personal, near, and attentive.

And more than that—our Redeemer is not passive. Boaz moves decisively to secure Ruth’s future, promising, providing, and refusing to rest until the matter is settled. In the same way, Jesus Christ has not only promised redemption—He has accomplished it. He came, He gave Himself, He rose again, and even now He lives to intercede for His people.

So if today you feel the weight of your need, if you feel the uncertainty of life pressing in, hear this word: your Redeemer does not delay, and He does not fail. He is faithful to complete what He has begun.

And so we say with confidence and hope: My Redeemer lives.

04/23/2026

Last month we had a wonderful playground dedication in memory of Pastor Rod. It was really a joyous time to celebrate his legacy of faithful leadership and care. It was also a longtime coming, because we never had a retirement party for Pastor Rod because of his fight with cancer. We also never had a celebration of life service for him, because of COVID.

Koko, his wife, shared how “The dedication service is what God had intended”…
Sometimes God works in our lives, not in the way we never imagine or hope for. God’s timing was six years later. God’s timing was at our new facility that Pastor Rod dreamed of and hoped for. Never did we think that this is how God would have made things work out, yet God has a way of redeeming life.

This can be true of many areas in life. It is hard in the present moments of disappointment. It is difficult in the moments of loss. It is painful in the moments of suffering to wonder if God is working. We see in Ruth 2 a powerful truth: God’s gracious providence is always at work—even when we cannot see it.

First, God’s provides. Ruth, a widow with nothing, “happens” to enter the field of Boaz—but this is no accident. This is God directing her steps. Our God provides—not always what we want, but always what we need. And if we forget His sovereignty, we will try to control everything or fall into despair. But like Ruth, we are called to trust His hand.

Second, God’s protects. Through Boaz, we see the heart of God—a protector of the vulnerable. He ensures Ruth’s safety, dignity, and care. This reflects our God, who shelters us under His wings. And as His people, we are called to do the same—to watch over, care for, and protect one another as a family of faith.

Third, God gives abundant grace. Ruth doesn’t just survive—she is blessed beyond measure. Invited to the table, given more than enough, sent home with abundance. We must remember—we deserve none of it. The gospel reminds us that instead of wrath, God gave us His Son.

So before bitterness rises…remember His grace. Before discouragement takes hold…remember His goodness. God is for you, not against you.

04/21/2026

Get ready for an epic Vacation Bible School (VBS)!! 🥳🤩 Join us June 22nd-26th from 9 am-12 pm for a week of faith, fun, and let's be real... a break from our parents 😜. We'll have music, crafts, Bible time, snacks, and more! This is for current Preschool (minimum 3 years old AND potty trained) to current 5th graders. Cost is $10/child (plus $10 if you want a t-shirt, because who doesn't want a sweet VBS tee? 👕)... sign up here: https://subspla.sh/rq2gpyv!

04/17/2026

As we begin this new series, Fingerprints of Grace, we step into the story of Ruth—a story that reminds us what it means to trust God when we cannot see the outcome.

Ruth’s life didn’t unfold the way she expected. Loss came suddenly. Her husband died. Her future disappeared. And yet, in the middle of grief and uncertainty, she chose to follow Naomi into the unknown. She didn’t have answers—but she had faith.

We see it first when life feels overwhelming. Naomi lost everything and returned home empty, bitter, and broken. Maybe you’ve felt that too—when life doesn’t go the way you planned, when grief or disappointment settles in. Faith in those moments doesn’t mean you understand what God is doing—it means you hold on to Him anyway, trusting that He is still your strength and your shield.

We see it again when life feels lonely. Ruth made a costly decision to stay with Naomi, declaring, “Your people will be my people, and your God my God.” She left behind everything familiar for an unknown future. And in that loneliness, we’re reminded: God’s love does not disappear. Even when people fall short, God remains present—and sometimes He shows His love through the quiet care of His people.

And we see it when life feels heavy with judgment or misunderstanding. Ruth returned to Bethlehem as an outsider, rejected and overlooked. And if you follow Christ, you will feel that tension too. Choosing faithfulness over comfort will set you apart. But take heart—Jesus Himself was misunderstood and rejected. So when you feel that weight, remember: you are not alone.

Ruth chose faith without knowing the outcome. She chose sacrifice, uncertainty, and trust. And what she could not see was that God was writing a greater story—one that would place her in the very lineage of Jesus Christ.

And that is our hope today: even when you feel lost, alone, or misunderstood, God is still at work. His fingerprints of grace are all over your life—even when you cannot see them.

So may we be a people who cling to Him. Because in every season, a heart of faith holds fast to the steadfast love of God.

04/10/2026

Why believe in the resurrection of Jesus? Doubt and skepticism are natural, but faith in the resurrection of Jesus is reasonable and life-changing.

First, there is physical evidence of the resurrection (Luke 24:36–43). Jesus doesn’t leave His disciples guessing—He appears to them in bodily form. They see Him, hear Him, touch Him, and even watch Him eat. This is not a ghost or myth, but a real, risen Savior. The resurrection is grounded in tangible, historical reality, showing that faith is not blind but supported by concrete evidence.

Second, there is prophetic evidence of Scripture (Luke 24:44–45). Jesus reveals how His life, death, and resurrection fulfill the promises of the Bible. From the Psalms to the prophets, His suffering and sacrifice were foretold. His final words on the cross echo Scripture, demonstrating that God’s redemptive plan was fulfilled perfectly. The fulfillment of hundreds of prophecies confirms that Jesus is truly the Son of God and invites skeptics to validate Scripture for themselves.

Third, there is powerful evidence of transformation (Luke 24:46–49). The disciples, once fearful and hiding, are transformed into bold witnesses through the power of the Holy Spirit. The gospel—Jesus’ death and resurrection—brings forgiveness, grace, and new life to all who repent and believe. This transformation is not just intellectual agreement but a heart-level surrender.

The sermon challenges listeners not to settle for knowing about Jesus without truly trusting Him. True faith requires repentance—a turning from sin and toward Christ. It calls skeptics, doubters, and believers alike to respond: receive forgiveness, surrender fully, and experience real transformation.

Finally, believers are encouraged to share this hope with others—living with gentleness, love, and boldness—so that more people move from asking “Why believe?” to declaring, “I believe—Christ is risen indeed!”

04/04/2026

It’s good to be together on this Good Friday as we remember Jesus’s work on the cross. Whether this is your first Good Friday or your eightieth, the story can feel familiar—but it should never feel ordinary. We’re often tempted to rush past the cross to the empty tomb, but tonight we slow down. We sit in the weight of it. Because in this moment, we don’t just see history—we see our story.

The crucifixion is not just a timelapse of the gospel’s history, but of coming to faith in Jesus.

Luke tells us that from noon to three, darkness covered the land, and the temple curtain was torn in two. Creation itself responds to Jesus. The light fails. The barrier between God and man is ripped open. And in that moment, we see the first step of every believer’s journey: recognizing God. Just as nature acknowledges Him, there was a moment when you first realized—He is real. He is God. The cross awakens us to that reality.

Then Jesus cries out, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” With His final breath, He entrusts Himself fully to the Father. And here we see the next step: the desire to trust God. It’s one thing to acknowledge God—it’s another to want Him. To lean in. To surrender. Many of us can remember when that desire first stirred in us—when knowing God became personal, not just possible.

Finally, we see the centurion declaring Jesus’s innocence, the crowds grieving, and the disciples watching from a distance. Different responses—but all confronted with the same truth. This is the moment of decision. Faith in the finished work of Jesus. Every believer comes to that crossroads: Will I trust Him? Will I follow Him?

So tonight, don’t rush past the cross. Let it remind you not only of what Jesus has done, but of how He drew you to Himself. Because the story of the cross… is the story of how He saved you.

Address

354 B Street
Hayward, CA
94541

Opening Hours

10:30am - 11:45am

Telephone

+15104839455

Website

http://www.gracewayhayward.org/

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