“Stands upon the Word of the Bible.” That’s the motto of the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Tokyo Church. This church is more than just a building. It’s a testament to faith. It’s a story of resilience and international collaboration.
The Japan Evangelical Lutheran Tokyo Church traces its roots back to 1892. Missionaries from the United Synod of the South arrived in Yokohama. They sought to spread their faith. Easter Sunday 1893 saw the first worship service in Saga. James Augustin Brown Scherer and R. B. Peery led the service. They were assisted by Ryohei Yamanouchi a Japanese co-worker.
Within two years, sixteen believers were baptized. By 1898, the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church was officially organized. It had sixty baptized members. Kumamoto became the heart of Japanese Lutheranism. Missionaries arrived from the American Danish Lutheran Church and Finland. The first church building was consecrated in Saga in 1900.
In 1909, the Lutheran Theological Seminary opened in Kumamoto. It trained local leaders. By 1920, churches were established in major cities. These included Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe. The Lutheran Theological Seminary moved to Nakano, Tokyo, in 1925.
Before World War II, the United Church of Christ in Japan was formed. All Protestant denominations were forced to merge. The Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church ceased to exist. Foreign missionaries were expelled. Some churches were closed.
After the war, foreign missionaries returned. They came from the United States and other countries. Former Lutheran members met in Kamamoto in 1947. They decided to re-establish the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church.
The Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church worked with many mission agencies. In 1963, the Tokai Lutheran Mission merged with the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Lutheran Theological Seminary moved to Mitaka, Tokyo, in 1969. By 1974, the church achieved self-sufficiency.
In 1993, a Mission Centennial Assembly was held in Kumamoto. The Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church sent missionaries to Brazil. They served among Japanese immigrants. Missionaries were also sent to the United States. They ministered to expatriate Japanese communities.
In 2002, Power Mission 21 was adopted. This ten-year program aimed to strengthen the church. It emphasized youth evangelism and lay leadership. It also focused on clergy development and church restructuring.
Today, the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church continues its mission. It has approximately 21990 baptized members. They are spread across 122 congregations. The church is divided into five regional districts.
The Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church emphasizes education and social welfare. It operates schools and supports social programs. These include the Jiai-en in Kumamoto and The Tokyo Home for the Elderly in Tokyo.
The Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church participates in ecumenical relationships. It partners with other Lutheran churches. They cooperate on outreach ministries. They jointly publish Christian books and materials.
The Japan Lutheran Theological Seminary is jointly sponsored in Tokyo. It is sponsored by the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church. This collaborative spirit defines the Japan Evangelical Lutheran Tokyo Church. It is a beacon of faith. It is a testament to enduring partnerships.