From Reconstruction to Church Building: Tohoku Ministry Project in Ofunato
Eight years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake. Churches in the affected area are now entering a new phase in their ministry: church planting.
Ever since they launched the Tohoku Ministry Project in 2015, the Japan Alliance Mission has continued their relief and support work in Ofunato, Iwate. Mitsuru Saitō, the local leader for the project, commented on how ministry work in the Tohoku area has gradually shifted from disaster relief and support to church planting. Before the earthquake struck these areas were struggling with depopulation; this problem has become even more serious since the disaster.
Ofunato was greatly affected by the tsunami in 2011, losing 419 people and 5,592 buildings. Even today, there are empty spaces scattered among the newly constructed facilities and stores. Furthermore, several major factories have withdrawn from the area, causing many workers to leave. Still, Saitō believes Ofunato’s recovery is proceeding well compared to other Tohoku cities such as Rikuzentakata. From his experience working for an international NGO, Saitō believes that continued, not just temporary, support is crucial for building strong relationships with the local residents. Using his overseas ties, Saitō has organized several international exchange programs at local high schools. He also continues to visit Nagahama Community Center weekly to encourage local residents in the activity of fumanetto (an exercise that involves stepping between the webbing of a large net).
During our time there, a Singaporean family arrived through the EPJM (English Presbytery Mission Committee), organized by the Presbyterian Church of Singapore. The EPJM has continually sent support teams to Iwate since the Great East Japan Earthquake. This time, the family performed hymns in Japanese, shared Singaporean snacks, and introduced finger knitting techniques. At the end of fellowship, Silvia, the mother of the family, stood up and commented that this was her fourth time visiting Japan, and many people always ask her why she is determined to visit Japan so regularly. “I don’t come to Japan for vacation. I come because I want to share God’s love, to share that God loves each and every one of us.”
The Tohoku Ministry Project currently holds regular services, English classes, and bead craft classes at their local church, Grace House. Their prayer is for this church building to become easier for local people to access. “There are many people who have difficulty arranging rides from their temporary houses to somewhere else,” comments Saitō. “Coming to church is hard for them. So, we want to go out to them instead.”
From Christian Shimbun, March 10, 2019
Translated by Hiromi Kiuchi