Did the name Ōizumi Baptist Church ever cross your path before? Here we stand before this unassuming yet significant building in Tokyo. Ōizumi Baptist Church has a unique story to tell. In February 1963, construction began on a new chapel and pastor’s residence. This was thanks to support from the American Baptist Churches. The first worship service was held on March 3, 1963. Reverend Masayoshi Soeda and his wife were the first pastors of Ōizumi Baptist Church. They began spreading the word and building the community.
In June 1968, the church held an organizational meeting. By August of the same year, Ōizumi Baptist Church officially joined the Japan Baptist Convention. The church continued to grow. It saw a succession of dedicated pastors. Shinichi Harada served from 1980 to 1983. Makoto Matsumura followed, serving a long tenure from 1985 to 2007. Next came Kazumitsu Kimura from 2009 to 2021. Mitsuo Yagi served as an interim pastor in 2022. Since April 2023, Kenichi Hayashi has been the pastor of Ōizumi Baptist Church. Interestingly, before becoming a pastor, Hayashi worked as a salaryman. He felt a calling to ministry in his 30s. He supported his family while attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He graduated in 2007. Before arriving at Ōizumi Baptist Church in April 2024, he served in churches in Tokyo, Aomori, and Gunma.
Ōizumi Baptist Church even has its own cemetery. It is located at the Musashino Cemetery in Keio, Yamanashi Prefecture. This provides a final resting place for members of the community. Ōizumi Baptist Church continues to be a beacon of faith. It serves the local community and beyond. It provides a place of worship. It hosts various events like gospel concerts. It also promotes Christian teachings. It is a place where people can gather, learn, and connect with their faith.