70th anniversary hi-b.a. conference

Vision for all 47 prefectures

Two missionaries, Ken Clark and John Meyer, started hi-b.a. Japan (high school born againers) in 1951, with the vision “to proclaim the gospel to every high-schooler in Japan.” In 2021 the group marks its 70th anniversary and held a memorial conference online on September 23.

The conference began by showing a short video to look back on their history. According to the video, “over these 70 years, earnestly running the race with the Lord was never uneventful. On that road were many trials and difficulties. Yet on each such an occasion (sic) we trusted in God, and continued to seek to stand at the side of the church of Japan. Our efforts have carried on this far because of the many prayers of support offered up to which God Himself has answered.”

The video was followed by greetings from Takao Nakadai of the hi-b.a. Board of Directors. Chieko Suzuki, Regional Development Coordinator, next reported on the progress of their vision to have regular meetings in all 47 prefectures by 2050. “Nine years ago, there were only 26 regular hi-b.a. meetings in the Kanto, Kansai, and Tokai regions. We now have Fukuoka, Ishikawa, and Hokkaido added to the list, and are praying and preparing for Tohoku, Okinawa, and Chugoku-Shikoku. Please pray with us for the Lord to send workers for the harvest.”

After the report, the present hi-b.a staff members were introduced. Takashi Fukuda, a former staff member who currently works as a Scripture/church engagement officer for Wycliffe Japan, gave a word of encouragement to and prayed for the current team. “It took 300 years for Christianity to be recognized officially in Rome. Only 150 years have passed for Japan, and we are still in the process of spreading our roots to every corner.”

Ken Clark, who is now in his nineties, gave greetings in fluent Japanese. “Seventy years? Can’t believe it! The method may change with time, but the message doesn’t. The Creator loves us and has given us this special gospel. Let’s follow Jesus Christ up to the day we die.”

A high school student from Hokkaido, where meetings started this April, gave her testimony at the conference. Samuell Soung, an alumnus of Kashiwa hi-b.a., also presented a song written for this occasion.

From Christian Shimbun, October 21, 2021
Translated by Hiromi Kiuchi