Imagine a small group of people gathering in 1968. This was the start of Chofu Baptist Church.
Chofu Baptist Church stands here as a testament to faith. It has grown steadily since its humble beginnings. This church is part of the Japan Baptist Bible Fellowship. It’s a flagship church in the Western Tokyo Metropolitan area.
Lavern Rodgers, a missionary to Japan for almost 70 years, started it all. He held the first service on February 15, 1968. Chofu was his fifth church plant in Japan. The church quickly grew. The first baptism took place in June of the same year. Forty-one people attended the first Christmas worship service. Today, about 200 people attend Sunday services including Sunday school.
Rodgers and the Chofu Baptist Church staff worked together. They preached the Gospel and taught the Word of God. Many people found salvation. Some went on to preach the Gospel themselves. Chofu Baptist Church became a launchpad. It helped start new churches in Japan and around the world. The church sent out four foreign missionary couples. It supports many other churches and missionaries.
In 2018, Chofu Baptist Temple celebrated its 50th anniversary. Pastors and missionaries from Japan and around the world attended. Rodgers, then 92, encouraged the congregation. He urged them to continue working for the Lord. Pastor Minoru Ishikawa challenged the church. He wanted them to keep moving forward with the Gospel.
The young people of Chofu performed a skit. It was about Shoji and Junko Yoshida, the first missionary couple. They were sent from Chofu to Hong Kong. The skit showed God’s grace in leading them to salvation. It also highlighted Chofu Baptist Church’s role in sending them.
Lunch followed the service. Pastors and missionaries shared how Chofu Baptist Church and Lavern Rodgers influenced them. Members testified to God’s grace and praised Him in song.
The church announced a name change that year. They wanted a name that better reflected their identity. The new name became Chofu Bible Baptist Church.
Chofu Baptist Church is a member of the Japan Baptist Convention. This relates to the Southern Baptist Convention in the US. While services are in Japanese, many who don’t speak Japanese join them in prayer.
Remember Chofu Baptist Church as a beacon. It shares the Gospel in Japan and beyond.