July 15, 2009
More than 5,000 people gathered July 8-9 at the Pacifico Convention Center in Yokohama, Japan’s second-largest city, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the beginning of Protestant missionary work in the country. Yokohama is also the site where the first Protestant missionaries landed.
Among those who participated in the special assembly was Rev. Young Jo Ha, senior pastor of the 40,000+ member Onnuri Community Church in Seoul, Korea, who spoke on the need for revival. The U.S. C&MA partners with Onnuri in training Korean missionaries.
One of the most memorable moments of the celebration included a challenge issued by a 101-year-old pastor. “He remembered days when there was revival in Japan-more than 500 people being baptized on an island,” says Alliance missionary Hazel Schaeffer. “I came away with a feeling that God is doing something special in Japan. And our Japanese brothers and sisters share that same desire for revival.”
“In a time of financial turmoil, we are thankful for all of you who are investing in eternity,” the Schaeffers wrote in one of their prayer letters. “Thank you for giving and praying and for being a part of the work here in Japan”
Learn More
Check out our Alliance work in Japan.
What You Can Do
Pray for revival throughout Japan, which remains one of the least-reached nations in the world despite 150 years of foreign missions.
Donate now to Alliance Great Commission Ministries to support God’s work around the world.