LOS ANGELES – Zoom calls help, but the fellowship of Japanese Southern Baptist churches is really seen when people froma dozen or more churches that worship in a Japanese context get together in early April for their annual meeting.
About 15 people mostly of Japanese heritage met April 7-9 at Gardena-Torrance Japanese Southern Baptist Church, with one track for men and another for women.
“We do not have a specific theme and scripture each year,” Hiro Sakamaki said. He is the secretary for what is officially known as The Japanese Southern Baptist Churches of America.
“The Pastors’ and the Pastors’ Wives conference each decide on their own study topics,” Sakamaki continued. “This year, the theme for the Pastors’ conference study was, ‘The work of the pastor in the Baptist church,’ the same subject they studied and discussed last year. Those who give the lectures are chosen from among the pastors.”
“Living as a Woman Loved by God” was the study theme of the Pastors’ Wives’ conference. Four women gathered for this year’s annual meeting.
“During the conference, it is important not only to study but also for all participants to enjoy time together over meals, engaging in conversation and building relationships,” Sakamaki said. “This year, they once again visited a Japanese restaurant to savor traditional Japanese dishes such as sushi and sashimi.”
The three-day gathering included worship, Bible study and discussion, plus an election of officers, activity reports from churches covering one year of evangelistic activities, exchange of information regarding evangelism and church planting, and discussions on the schedule and program content for 2027.
“We want to strengthen the Baptist faith – which is rooted in a spirit of evangelism – by building a network of Japanese churches within the Southern Baptist Convention,” Sakamaki said. “Additionally, we come together to deepen the professional development of Japanese pastors regarding missions and church planting, and to strengthen the bonds of our faith through fellowship.”
Yutaka Takarada, pastor of Japanese Baptist Church of North Texas in Dallas, is president of The Japanese Southern Baptist Churches of America. Three men were elected to serve on the executive committees of the Pastors’ and the Pastors’ Wives’ conferences for a three-year term beginning in 2027: President Makito Watanabe, pastor of Olivet Baptist Church, Japanese Department, Honolulu, Hawaii; Secretary Jun Matsuzaki, pastor of Japanese Baptist Church of Raleigh, N.C.; and Treasurer Hiro Sakamaki, pastor of Atlanta Japanese Baptist Church in Peachtree Corners, Ga.
“Every year, participants gather from across the southeastern United States all the way to Hawaii to exchange information, learn from one another, and build fellowship,” Sakamaki said. “Though it is only a three-day event held once a year, we are grateful to share this meaningful time together, encouraging and praying for one another before being sent out by the Lord to our respective mission fields.”
Gardena-Torrance Japanese Southern Baptist Church started in 1961, though reports suggest other even earlier Japanese churches in the SBC. The Japanese Southern Baptist fellowship began in the late 1970s, with discussions that led to the first “council meeting” in 1984. In 1993, The Japanese Southern Baptist Churches of America was organized.
“By the time we started the pastors’ council in the 1980s, pastors from California: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Sacramento, Oregon, and Texas were gathering for meetings,” Sakamaki said. “These churches are still active today.”
Sakamaki spoke during the installation service of Kiyohide Nonaka as pastor of Gardena-Torrance Japanese Southern Baptist Church.
“There is one shared characteristic among Baptists: We are churches that live with a spirit of evangelism,” Sakamaki preached. “In other words, we ourselves go out to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A Baptist church is one that actively testifies to the work of the Lord and the Gospel of Scripture, and shares it with others.”
Later in his message he spoke of the role of a pastor.
“In many ways, pastoral ministry is similar to the work of a doctor. Just as people visit hospitals and clinics to see a physician, people often come to the church or to the pastor’s home. Pastors also visit church members and those who are seeking the Christian faith. They visit the sick, make phone calls, write letters and cards, and nowadays, much of this communication happens through email. In all of these interactions – whether visiting others or receiving visitors – the pastor’s role is to help people understand how to hear God’s Word within the realities of their lives, and what it means to live in obedience to that Word.”
As to the stated purpose of the Japanese fellowship, Sakamaki told Baptist Press, “First, we aim to strengthen the network of Japanese churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, which spans the entire United States. Second, we seek to establish Japanese Baptist churches and to evangelize and bring salvation to Japanese, Japanese Americans, and others with roots in Japan. We are equally committed to evangelizing Americans who are interested in missionary work in Japan and the salvation of the Japanese people.
In addition, Sakamaki said, “We aim to increase the number of churches affiliated with the JSBCA under the Southern Baptist Convention and expand our reach across the United States.”
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