I arrived at the 恵泉キリスト教会仙南チャペルボランティアセンター (Keisen Christ Church Sennan Chapel Volunteer Center) in Yamamoto City, Miyagi Prefecture, last Wednesday. I'm excited to be back in Northeast Japan, and looking forward to the doors that God will open up in this area that was devastated by the earthquake and tsunami just over a year ago.
Yamamoto City is about 1 hour south of Sendai, an hour-and-a-half southwest of Ishinomaki (the city I was in over the summer), and 30 minutes north of Soma (one of the northernmost city in the Fukushima Prefecture).
The Keisen Christ Church Network's mother church in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture (2 hours west of Yamamoto City) and has numerous daughter churches scattered throughout "central" Japan. It's one of the churches in Japan that is really growing, multiplying, and has visionary leadership.
It's been challenging at times waiting for placement over the past 10 months, but God's had this planned all along. As I continue meeting people and hearing about how ministry is shaping in this new church plant, I keep getting more excited. The focus so far in Yamamoto has been on those living in the temporary housing units that have been setup in different spots throughout the city. Moving forward, we are developing a Kids Ministry here in Yamamoto, and are looking to use the volunteer center (a house) as a community center.
I'm in the process learning the ropes and getting things figured out, but real excited to be back in Tohoku!
Please pray for me, my ministry partner "Josh," and the leaders of the Keisen Church as we dig deeper into planting a church in Yamamoto City.
Hi Raymond. I was so jazzed to hear about your placement. We worked with the Keisen Church for seven years and still keep in close touch. Praying for all the adjustments, bro!
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