With the coming of 2009, Protestant Christianity has been preached inJapan for 150 years. The commemorative events planned for this milestonewere outlined in the article Commemorative Events for the 150th Year ofEvangelism in Japan on page 4 of KNL's December 2008 issue (#350).When Protestant evangelism began 150 years ago (1859), Christianity wasstill prohibited in Japan by the Edo Shogunate. How……
Among the many guests from around the world who attended the 36th KyodanGeneral Assembly in October 2008 were several guests from NortheastAsia. I especially appreciated the presence of two of them. One is theReverend Dr. Lee Won-Jae, general secretary of the Korean MethodistChurch. I first met him last June when I visited Korea. The majorpurpose of my June visit was to reinstate the considerably ……
by Ban Hyung WookKorean Methodist Church missionaryEstablished in 1973 in Nasu-san-roku in Tochigi Prefecture, Asian RuralInstitute is a school founded on the love of Jesus Christ to promote theprogress and prosperity of the rural peoples of Asia. It was establishedwith the goal of promoting just and peaceful societies through thetraining of local leaders who themselves hold these goals.This year ……
CHILDREN AND YOUTHCatholic-Protestant FellowshipAddresses Educational Issues........................348/4 JuneFirst Christian Education SeminarHeld in Kochi.................................................348/3 JuneJOCS Articles Feature Overseas Workers.........346/3 Feb.Kyodan Women's Federation HostsJapan-Germany "Youth Mission 2008.........349/6 Oct.Morioka Holds Joint Church SchoolApple-pickin……
The Promotion Committee for the Movement to Support Retired Ministers'100-yen-offering campaign has continued for 35 years, with the prayerthat in some small way it might provide financial support for retiredpastors and their families who have given their lives in ministry.Beginning in one church in Hokkaido in 1973, it became a movement of theentire Hokkai District in 1976. Then, at the 20th Kyod……
Every year during the Christmas season, the Kyodan's Committee onEducation sponsors a Christmas Offering. This year's theme was "LivingTogether." Japanese children strive to live with children of the worldin friendship -- sharing joys as well as pain and suffering. Manychildren participate in the "Living Together" Christmas Offering.In 2007, the offering was given to mothers and children in Tanzan……
Following the adoption of Proposals #37 and #38 on Oct. 22, 2008, thesecond day of the 36th Kyodan General Assembly, an Agreement Ceremonywas conducted to establish a Cooperative Mission Covenant between theKyodan and the Presbyterian Church (USA) and a Cooperative MissionCovenant between the Kyodan and the Reformed Church in America.Representatives from both overseas partner churches signed the c……
The 36th Kyodan General Assembly was held at Tokyo Metropolitan Hotel,Oct. 21-23, 2008.* Soon afterwards, on Dec. 9 and 10, the three newlyelected executive officers and Executive Council members convened thefirst council meeting of the 2009-10 biennial period.As the Executive Council convened on Dec. 8, the three executiveofficers and the Executive Council members who had been elected by the36thG……
Recently, a wide range of issues for discussion are arriving from various Kyodan churches to the general secretary's desk from all over Japan. Among them, a common, ardent one is, "Please introduce a minister to us whom you would recommend as particularly fitting for our church." The condition they want met is summed up in the following sentence: "As we have been faithfully keeping the tradition o……
The Church of the Twelve Apostles, Hokkai District established in 1978, grew out of the ministry of coffee shop evangelism started at the Good Hour coffee shop in downtown Sapporo in 1971. From the very beginning of the church, the coffee shop Ecclesia/Branch has functioned as an adjoining ministry. While taking in the natural beauty of nearby Tsukisappu Park, customers can enjoy both their food a……
