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Baptismal Celebration Highlights Japan Church Meeting
TOKYO, JAPAN (May 11, 2004) - The celebration of the baptisms of 25
individuals in region churches during the past fiscal year was one of
the highlights of the April 29 annual meeting of the Japan Covenant
Church, known as the NSKK.
Delegates from the 24 churches and four institutions in the NSKK (Nihon
Seikei Kirisuto Kyodan) were present at the event at the Covenant
Seminary in Tokyo. The total attendance was around 80. It was not an
election year, so there were no major changes in the denominational
leadership, said Japan Covenant missionary and seminary professor Jim
Peterson in a recent report. However, the NSKK rejoiced in the
ordination of Rev. Mitsuyoshi Torii, pastor of the Arakino Covenant
Church. They affirmed a process that would upgrade the NSKK's accounting
procedures. And they enjoyed the extensive worship that is always
integral to the annual meeting.
This year's annual meeting worship team was led by Tim Johnson, a
Covenant missionary and pastor of the Isesaki Covenant Church. Mr. Ohara
from Hatsuishi Covenant Church and Ms. Kamata from Yoshioka Covenant
Church assisted Johnson. In addition to lots of spirited singing and
prayer, the meeting closed with a celebration of the Eucharist and a
message from Ephesians 1:15-23 brought by the NSKK Denominational Chair,
Rev. Akira Uchida.
Other highlights of the meeting included:
- A celebration and expression of thanks for the 28 years of pastoral
ministry of Rev. Aiko Morimoto, pastor of the Chigasaki Covenant Church,
upon her retirement (see accompanying photo).
- Approval of Hatsuishi Covenant Church co-pastor Shigeyuki Otomo, a
recent graduate of the Covenant Seminary, into the NSKK Ministerium.
- A report from the group of young people who recently traveled to
Thailand for a short missions trip.
- The acceptance of a name change in name and status for the Minami
Nagareyama Covenant Church. The new name is International Bible
Fellowship and the church was elevated from the unofficial status of
"meeting place" to a "category three church."
- The approval of the NSKK's proposed budget for 2004.
The Evangelical Covenant Church began missionary work in Japan in 1949
and the national church of Japan, the NSKK, was organized in 1951. The
NSKK currently totals 686 in membership after a 28-member increase in
net growth during the past year. Its Covenant Seminary was founded in
1952 and the NSKK also supports Akagi Bible Camp and Odawara Christian
Center, among other entities.
To learn more about the NSKK annual meeting, email Peterson at
Peterson@mail.wind.ne.jp. More information about the missionary work of
the Covenant in Japan also can be found at www.covchurch.org under the
"Departments" and "Covenant World Mission" links.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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