A letter from Bill and Ann Moore in Japan
November 2011
Dear Friends,
This is an exciting time for us and the members of the Reformed Church of Christ in Japan Nishitani Chapel. After meeting in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Haruki Kondo for over 10 years the congregation that we are organizing is moving into its own building. Construction is in its final stages and our first Sunday in the new church is scheduled for December 4, with the dedication on the following Sunday.
The future home of the Nishitani Church.
As we look back on the events that have led up to this point we see that it is the hand of God that has provided this facility for us. Nishitani, a community in a rural area north of Kobe, is under strict government planning regulations that drastically limit new construction—therefore we could not build a new building but needed to find an existing structure to renovate. However, Nishitani being a small community, there were no suitable properties on the market, so when a member of our congregation unexpectedly offered to sell us her small office building we were overjoyed. The building was only 100 yards from the Kondos' home and very visible from a well-traveled road. When engineering and architectural studies showed that the property could be renovated to house a church we contracted to purchase it.
Funds to buy the property were on hand from offerings made by church members over the years, but there was little left over for renovation. We considered using the building as it was until necessary funds were received, but the layout and facilities made that impractical. As we prayed for direction an amazing thing happened. Individuals and churches both within Japan and in the United States responded to our need and enough offerings were received for a complete renovation of the building. The result is that we will soon move into a beautiful facility without debt.
The Building Commitee hard at work.
Having a space we can use not only on Sundays but also during the week will give us more opportunity to grow and serve the community. We believe a permanent meeting place and greater visibility in Nishitani will be used by God to bring about wonderful results.
As we move from being a house church to a church with a permanent meeting place we ask for your prayer that this transition might go smoothly and that new opportunities for service may bear much fruit. Also, pray for continued growth in maturity and numbers at Nishitani Reformed Church and that our witness in the community may be clear and compelling so that many will come to faith in Jesus Christ.
Thank you so much for your gifts that sustain our work and presence in Japan. We could not minister here without them. Your gifts are vital to our continuing witness here and to Christ’s mission through the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
In Christ,
Bill and Ann Moore
The 2011 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 148
The 2012 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 200
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