This was the day that Lucas and I were exploring Muroran (Hokkaido) on foot and noticed a Christian church on the Google map along our route. We thought there was an activity going on, so we checked the door, and it was unlocked. The startled pastor (Takuro) spoke to us from his office doorway. He spoke some English, and I spoke some Japanese. Eventually, I asked if we could come in, and we took our shoes off since there were other shoes at the entrance. He took us to wait, and he went to the main entrance of the church to get slippers for each of us. (I wish I had a picture of the shelves of slippers at the entrance of the church!).
We walked into the sanctuary, and I spoke slowly and clearly asking him all kinds of questions. I found out that he did not grow up in a Christian family but became a Christian at the age of 17. His wife also became a Christian as an adult after a study abroad in England.
I asked how long he had been the pastor there. About one year. Before that, he was pastoring in Ishikawa.
I asked how many people attend the church. He said there are 14 members. Small but mighty!
I asked if he had a different job to help with income. Nope--he's a full time pastor. (How is that possible?)
I asked how many other churches are in the city. He said as far as Protestant congregations, there are 4 other churches, but they are all very small with no children.
The sanctuary is beautiful. There are elements of the past (the church began in 1954 but have been in the current building around 25 years) and of the present (guitars, projector). There are tables for the kids to sit and color during the service. He is thankful there are children in his church, and he encourages them to be themselves. They often come up front to dance during the music time.
When I asked how we can pray for him and his church, he simply asked that the children would believe. He recognizes that most of the church is Japan is old, and he knows that children are crucial for the future of the church. Would you join me in praying that the children at Gloria Chapel and in Muroran would believe and follow Jesus?
I read later from their website:
In 2005, the church adopted the mission of "A Bridge of the Gospel." This is modeled after the Hakucho Bridge, built in 1998 to connect the hook-shaped town separated by a bay, and since then, just as cars and people have circulated between the two sides of the bay, the church intends to connect God and people, and people with people, through the Gospel.
That sounds a lot like my calling as a connector!
I asked Pastor Takuro if we could take a picture with him
May this church be a light to Muroran!
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