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Established
approximately forty years ago by a Canadian missionary named Joe
Cannon, and three Japanese men (Kazuyoshi Mawatari, Junichiro
Matsumoto and Akira Hirose), this congregation is the only
church of Christ in Miyagi prefecture. There is only one other
church of Christ in northern Japan. The next closest church is
approximately four hours away by the local train.
The
church in Sendai was established with a dream. Brother
Matsumoto, a university professor who had converted one of his
students (Akira Hirose), contacted Joe Cannon with the idea of
establishing the church in Sendai. Cannon and one of his
students, Mawatari, traveled to the northern city to begin
holding gospel meetings. After a month's time, Joe Cannon left
to return to other work in the central part of Japan. Kazuyoshi
Mawatari stayed behind, choosing to continue as a fulltime
evangelist for the fledgling church family.
Twenty
active members worship together each Sunday in Sendai.
In 1995, the body renewed a vision for evangelism and
growth. They agreed to host a Let's Start Talking team,
beginning in the summer of 1996, with the hopes that it would
create more contacts. For the last five years, they have
continued to host LST teams from York College. Each year, the
number of contacts grows, with 75 to 90 people per summer and 30
people on a waiting list. The
church finds it impossible to do adequate follow-up with the
overwhelming blessing of this program. The church body is small,
but they function as a family and as a closely-knit community.
Mawatari-sensei reports approximately two baptisms per year over
the last five years. The church is seeking ways to grow, expand
their leadership, and mature as a congregation. Future goals
include an eldership and a Christian high school.
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