Japan
Devastating earthquake and tsunami affects the region
MARCH 11, 2011
Pray for Japan: Denominational leaders have issued a Call to Prayer for those impacted by the earthquake and tsunami
You can help: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is responding
Presbyterian World Mission grieves at the loss of life from the most powerful earthquake to hit Japan in at least 100 years. We urge you to pray for those who have lost loved ones in Japan. We also urge you to pray for people in other countries affected by the tsunami.
Ten mission workers are living and working in various cities in Japan. As of March 11, we have confirmed that four of the 10, in three different cities, are safe. We will continue to work to contact the other mission workers and will provide updated information here as soon as it is available. None of our mission workers are based geographically close to coastal city of Sendai, nor to any of the areas affected by the tsunami. Find resources for prayer and reflection here.
We are also in the process of contacting our partner churches and organizations in Japan and will update you on the situation as soon as we have new information to share. We have heard from one partner organization so far, Yodogawa Christian Hospital in Osaka:
Thank you so very much for your kind words and prayers. Thankfully, our hospital patients and staff and their families are all safe, but our heart aches as the earthquake disasters are spreading in other parts of Japan. We are praying for God's protection and comfort over those people in the earthquake affected areas. He is our refuge and fortress.
Would you please pass this message to our PC(USA) partners and we truly appreciate your continuing prayers for us all.
Sincerely in Christ,
Masaaki Mukubo, Superintendent
Kimiaki Fukushima, Business Administration Chair
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission work began in Japan 1859. During the next 40 years many other denominational mission boards and societies initiated mission work in the country. Out of these efforts in education, social work and medical service as well as preaching emerged independent Japanese churches and eventually the United Church of Christ in Japan and the Korean Christian Church in Japan.
The bonds forged by the efforts of early missionaries and missionboards with Japanese churches led to joint work through the Japan–North American Commission on Cooperative Mission (JNAC), resulting in multi-lateral mission in Japan and in North America. In October 2003 the members of JNAC agreed to discontinue JNAC and relate directly as partners in mission.
Today the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) works with partners, and Presbyterian mission personnel are involved in evangelism, theological education, higher education, and youth and women ministries.
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mission priorities:
- Youth ministries
- Evangelism and new church development
- Theological education and leadership development
- Ministries with minorities in Japan, including Burakumin, Ainus, Koreans and others
- Women’s ministries
- Health ministries
Other mission issues:
- Yasukuni Shrine
- Ethnic minority and racial justice
- Foreign migrant workers, especially women in Japan
- Church unity and cooperation
Japan Partner Churches and Organizations
Korean Christian Church in Japan
Reformed Church of Japan (RCJ)
United Church of Christ in Japan (Kyodan) (UCCJ)
Council on Cooperative Mission
Kinjo Gakuin Junior College
Korean Christian Church in Japan (KCCJ)
National Christian Council in Japan (NCCJ)
Shikoku Gakuin University
Okinawa Christian Junior College
Tokyo Union Theological Seminary
Yodogawa Christian Hospital
Learn more about Japan
Visit the BBC country profile.
See the 2011 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, pp. 147, 148
May 26
May 27
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