by Shimada Naomi
Kwansei Gakuin University, Theology Department
I enrolled in the youth camp that was sponsored by CSI and held Nov. 12-17, 2012 in Chennai (Madras), India. The camp was international and ecumenical, with 85 participants from Nigeria, Scotland, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Japan, and all over the India.
The title of this camp was FEST-ZOE, which means “celebr……
At the invitation of the Church of South India, the following Kyodan representatives visited the Church of South India Center in Chennai, Feb. 19-25, 2013: Akiyama Toru, pastor of Ageo Godo Church and chair of the Commission on Ecumenical Ministry; Omishima Yoshitaka, executive secretary of the Commission on Mission; and Kato Makoto, executive secretary of the Commission on Ecumenical Ministry. Ou……
by Iijima Makoto, executive secretary
Kyodan Great East Japan Disaster Relief
Planning Headquarters
In early January 2013, the Kyodan East Japan Disaster Relief Projects, in cooperation with Emmaus Ishinomaki, a relief center operated by the Tohoku District, held a New Year’s concert in Ishinomaki, one of the areas hardest hit by the March 11, 2011 disaster.
The pla……
by Kumoshikari Toshimi, Kyodan secretary
pastor, Akita Sakura Church, Ou District
At the 38th Kyodan General Assembly in 2012, I was appointed to my second term as secretary. As I have done until now, I will continue to “tend to the business of scheduled meetings under the leadership of the moderator and record the proceedings.” (Kyodan Bylaws, Article 15,) Further, I will do all I……
by Ito Mizuo, Kyodan vice-moderator
pastor, Oizumi Bethel Church, North Subdistrict, Tokyo District
At the 38th Kyodan General Assembly in 2012, I was unexpectedly elected as vice-moderator. To the best of my ability, I will strive to respond to the Lord’s call.
The Kyodan at present, after 30 years of struggle, is in a period of restoring itself as a united church. However, the……
by Takahashi Kazuto, Tohoku District moderator
Pastor, Sendai Higashi Rokubancho Church, Miyagi Prefecture
A Suffering Church
Much more time is needed to evaluate conclusively the situation of the Great East Japan Disaster and the church, because enormous damage has occurred that has not yet been sufficiently acknowledged. Thus, many things are still in progress, and i……
Upon appointment at the 2012 Kyodan General Assembly, I was installed as the general secretary and began working at the office. However, my position as senior pastor of Tokyo Yamate Church will continue until Easter Sunday of 2013, so I have the dual responsibilities of local church pastor and Kyodan general secretary. I am experiencing the busiest season of my life due to this situation. I am eit……
by Sakata Masao, president
Doremus School
Junior High School, Senior High School
James H. Ballagh, a missionary who arrived in Kanagawa in November 1861, lived there for seven years and noticed that mixed-race children of Japanese women and foreign men were despised and discriminated against in their communities. He saw that they were homeless and begging in the streets. He earn……
by Chibana Sugako, missionary
Methodist Church of Bolivia
La Gloria Church, Santa Cruz
e 2012, I was appointed to La Gloria Church in Bolivia. The land of Bolivia is about three times the size of Japan. The church is located in an Okinawan immigrants’ community in Santa Cruz, the second largest city after La Paz. This community was established by people who had migrated from Oki……
by Matsudaira Mine
Sendai Kita Church, Miyagi Prefecture
Born into “Hidden Christian” Community
I was born in the village of Oyama, now a part of Oshu City in Iwate Prefecture. It is said that the village was established by a Christian samurai from the Edo period named Goto Juan. I am amazed now when I think of this mysterious connection. From the time I was a small ch……
