by Dr. Ray Thompson

With its population of approximately 127 million people, Japan stands out as the economic leader of the Far East. The nation can boast 100% literacy and strong work ethic. Yet, less than 1% would profess evangelical Christianity. There are cities of 25,000 people with little or no Christian witness. Japan is a mission field in every sense of the word. Buddhism, Shintoism and Confucianism stand out as the religions of influence.

Baptist International Missions, Inc., understands missions to be evangelism, church planting and training national leadership for those churches. This philosophy of missions is truly working in Japan.

It was in 1966 when God sent the Don Sisk family to be missionaries to the people of Osaka, Japan, with pastor for nine years in the state of Kentucky before receiving God’s call to Japan. The move brought about tremendous challenges for the family, such as they had never known. The challenges were primarily that of learning the Japanese language and adapting to a totally new culture. However, their objective to love the people and to win them to the Lord Jesus Christ kept them faithful to their calling. Each challenge was difficult, but their objective and purpose was quickly achieved with great delight.

Brother Sisk began to preach with the help of an interpreter while he was in language school. God’s endorsement of Senri Newtown Baptist Church was evident in the very first services held in February 1966. On the first night eleven people responded to the message of salvation. One of these first converts was Sogoro Ogawa, a young man who wanted to learn the English language and came to hear Brother Sisk speak. Brother Ogawa’s family was greatly disappointed in his conversion to Christianity. His mother and other family members who were Buddhist told him that he should go to his father’s tomb and pray to his father and tell him he was sorry for what he had done. Being virtually disowned by his family, Sogoro became like a son to Don and Virginia. This close relationship has continued until this day.

Brother Ogawa was the first person to be baptized, first to have a Christian marriage, and the first man under Dr. Sisk’s ministry to surrender to God’s call to preach the Gospel of Christ. He was also one of the first students to graduate from the Kansai Independent Baptist Bible School. Today he is a notable preacher and leader. He pastors the Senri Newtown Baptist Church that was planted by Dr. Sisk and is a leader in the Bible school.

Through the able leadership, powerful preaching and teaching of Pastor Ogawa, many people have been saved. Lives have been changed and many have surrendered to God’s call to full-time Christian work.

By God’s grace the church has had new visitors every week for 30 years, making a total of 1560 consecutive weeks. Of the 697 people who attended the 2003 Christmas service, 158 were first time visitors and several of these precious souls were saved. Praise the Lord!

Since the inception of the church, more than 50 members have given themselves to God for full-time Christian work and have become missionaries or pastors. The church has sent missionaries to 5 countries and is presently giving $18,000 in monthly support to 30 missionaries.

Over the years, God has given this congregation three lovely church buildings and a home for the pastor. On November 3, 2003, their new building was dedicated. Many national pastors, Christian laymen, American missionaries and preachers were present.

Dr. Tim Sisk, son of Dr. and Mrs. Don Sisk, preached the dedicatory message. The auditorium was almost filled to capacity.

Japan is the most expensive country in the world in which to build a church. This became most obvious when Senri Newtown Baptist Church was faced with the need of buying land and building a church adequate for their ministry. The beautiful new auditorium has a seating capacity of 550 people, plus a chapel seating 150 and a Fellowship Hall that seats an additional 150. Combined, these buildings can accommodate 850 people. The only property available for the church to purchase was a section of land consisting of 1½ acres in size. This provided space to build the Worship Center, Chapel, and Fellowship Hall and needed parking lots. The cost of the entire complex totaled 6.1 million dollars. This beautiful church complex is magnificent in its testimony of God’s provision for His people. Those who know have said, “It’s the largest church building in Western Japan.”

Two years ago Dr. Ogawa’s dear and Godly wife was taken home to be with the Lord. Her death was caused by cancer. However, the Lord has blessed Brother Ogawa since her “home going” with five grandchildren. Pastor Ogawa is happy and blessed to have three sons, Luke, Izaya, Eriya and one daughter, Ruth, and her husband, Naoki. They all assist him in the ministry and are very helpful and supportive.

The needs are great and burdens are very heavy for Pastor Ogawa, but he is faithfully preaching the Word, teaching the Truth and proclaiming the Good News to the multitudes of souls in Japan that need the Savior. Please remember this family and this good church in your prayers. Their ministry is a wonderful illustration of the power of the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who are surrendered to God’s will and work. Only God could do whathas been done in Japan. Praise His Name!