With his long-term military tour of duty in southern California coming to a close, a Seal Beach resident and Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army was honored recently for his service to the country and the local community. With hugs of appreciation and prayers for their safety, members of Cypress Church said goodbye to Steve and Laura Matayoshi who are moving on to their next assignment in Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, where Steve will be attending the Army War College.
For the last six years, the Matayoshi family, including daughters Cassie and Kara, have called the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station home. During that time Steve has had varied assignments in the local area and he just returned in June from a year long deployment to Iraq. He served there as the S4 Supply Officer with the 244th Aviation Brigade, Det.15.
Laura, who was formerly on active duty in the Army, served the community through teaching dance at the church and sharing her love of duty, God and country through weekly devotional emails. In addition both Steve and Laura served as the leaders of the Community Life Group home Bible study ministry at Cypress Church.
Their daughter Cassie is an active member of the U.S. Air Force and is currently serving in Germany as an Airman First Class in the computer and communications security field. Kara, who graduated in June from Los Alamitos High School, will be studying at the Art Institute in Chicago, Illinois in the Fall.
"Cypress Church will really miss the entire Matayoshi family," said Outreach Director Bob Koehler. "They have been very active by opening their home for Bible studies and fellowship groups. Steve and Laura did an excellent job as leaders of our 40 Days of Community campaign in 2008 and Kara organized our Valentine Dinner Dance just a few months ago. They are true servant leaders and we have always been able to count on them to reach out to others in the name of Jesus."
The Cypress Church campus is located at 6143 Ball Road just east of Valley View. The public is welcome at Sunday services and Bible studies that are held at 8:45 and 10:30 a.m. as well as many other activities throughout each week. Information about the church is available at (714) 952-3001 or online at http://www.cypresschurch.net. The public may also interact with the Cypress Church community on Facebook, Twitter and Livestream.
Photo Caption: L to R: Lt. Col. Steve Matayoshi, his daughter Kara and wife Laura at the June 10 “farewell” dinner Cypress Church held in their honor.
Cypress Church - 6143 Ball Rd. - Cypress, CA 90630 - Phone: (714) 952-3001 - www.cypresschurch.net
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