Reformed Church of Japan Seeks Help

The Reformed Church of Japan has asked the Christian Reformed Church to consider helping the RCJ respond to the needs of people affected by last week’s massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Christian Reformed World Mission missionaries have been in contact with the RCJ. Besides the request for help, CRC personnel have learned that all of the RCJ pastors in the disaster zone of northeastern Japan are safe.

Gary Bekker, director of CRWM, says that his agency has turned the request for possible help over to the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) whose international disaster relief officials will be in contact with the church in Japan to see how the agency can help. CRWRC will likely be working with other organizations as well.

“Our history together with the CRC and Reformed Church of Japan goes back to the early 1950s,” says Bekker.

Following this widespread disaster, which includes damage to nuclear power plants, says Bekker, the Christian Reformed Church in North America wants to make sure “to encourage and indicate that we value and respect them [members of the Reformed Church of Japan].”

The RCJ is a denomination that was founded in 1946 by Japanese Christians who had remained faithful during World War II.

Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM) has been active in helping to plant churches as well as well as assist various ministries to contribute to the continuing development of the RCJ.

All of CRWM’s staff in Japan, as well as staff and board members of BTGMI, are reportedly safe. But most are staying home because roads and highways have been damaged outside Tokyo. In addition, the trains are running on a limited schedule.

“Our people had initially stayed overnight in our office in Tokyo,” says Bob Heerspink, director of BTGMI. “They have been able to return to their homes, where they remain for the time being.”

Heerspink says the earthquake and subsequent tsunami, coupled with ongoing problems at nuclear power plants, will keep the ministry from recording new programs for now. The ministry’s websites, however, are up and running and new programming that addresses the crisis will be prepared as soon as possible.

“Our Japanese programs are broadcast in northeastern Japan, which was significantly affected by the earthquake and tsunami. We have not heard any reports at present with regard to radio stations which carry our programming,” he says. 

“I would ask for your prayers for our staff and the volunteers who work with us in ministry, many of whom are pastors of the Reformed Church of Japan.”

According to news reports, the total number of people killed in the earthquake is officially at 1,000, but it is expected to run much higher. Meanwhile, more than 550,000 quake and tsunami evacuees were in 2,500 evacuation shelters set up in six areas of Japan. In addition, Japanese officials continue to deal with a range of problems at the nuclear power plants that were impacted by the quake and tsunami.

CRWRC has already set up a fund to help aid Japan. To contribute to CRWRC’s earthquake and tsunami response in Japan and in other locations that may be impacted by this event as it unfolds, visit www.crcna.org/Japan. Or give by credit card by calling 1-800-55-CRWRC in the U.S. or 1-800-730-3490 in Canada.

At www.crcna.org/Japan you'll also find our latest news coverage, media mentions, and background information about the CRC's ministry in Japan.