“What is Onnuri?” People often ask. Onnuri means “all the world”. Today we explore Tokyo Onnuri Church. It is part of a global network.
Tokyo Onnuri Church is more than just a building. It is a community. This church shares a rich history with its parent organization. The original Onnuri Church started with twelve families. They gathered in 1984 at Korea Christian Preaching Institute. Pastor Ha Yong-jo led them. They began with prayer and discipleship training. They envisioned a Bible-based church.
In October 1985 seventy-eight people celebrated the founding of Onnuri Church. The church quickly grew. It launched medical mission teams. They worked in underserved areas. Missionaries were sent abroad. By November 1986 the church had 510 registered members.
In July 1988 the Japan ministry began. QT a daily scripture study was emphasized. They focused on weekly and Sunday Bible study. They established educational programs. These programs laid the foundation for various schools. By December 1989 the church had 1,832 registered members.
The church experienced spiritual growth. Seminars were held on various topics. These included the Jubilee year and family life. Social mission training was also offered. Through intense Bible study they sought spiritual renewal. By December 1990 membership reached 2,571.
The early 1990s focused on the Holy Spirit. They held Holy Spirit gatherings. They also had spiritual warfare conferences. The church set a vision. They aimed to train 2,000 missionaries and 10,000 lay workers. By December 1993 registered members totaled 5,981.
From 1994 to 1996 they emphasized purification. They promoted repentance. Early morning Holy Spirit meetings were held. These focused on worship and praise. They also sought restoration and unity. By December 1996 registered membership stood at 11,357.
The church embraced the 2000/10000 vision. This vision aimed to send 2,000 missionaries. It also sought to empower 10,000 lay workers by 2010. They invited church leaders for conferences. These included Onnuri Missionary Conference OMC. They also held Holy Spirit Conference HSC. Vision and Leadership Conference VLC was another focus. They expanded worship space. By April 2000 registered members numbered 20,944.
Since 2002 Onnuri has pursued the Acts 29 vision. It aims to reproduce churches globally. They want to share the Gospel. They plant campus churches. They also establish mission churches. In 2005 they launched CGN-TV for mission broadcasting. In 2006 they started Lamp On. This is an emergency relief disaster headquarters.
By June 2010 they had nine campus churches. There were also four prayer centers. Twenty-five vision churches existed. They supported 1,220 missionaries. They also oversaw 301 mission churches. Registered members reached 75,525. In August 2011 Pastor Ha Yong-jo passed away.
Tokyo Onnuri Church continues this legacy. It is a place for worship and community. It is a place where faith comes alive. It is a part of a larger story. A story of growth and dedication.