The Ghost Town of Fukushima
I was deeply encouraged by Pastor Sato this week as he shared about the Ghost Town of Fukushima. You see, more than five years ago, his city, home and church had to be evacuated because of the meltdown of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant near his home.
His church went on a journey famously called the Exodus Church while they traveled all over the country. Today, he was able to return to the area, re-planting the church in a nearby town: a church that the original founder had a vision to see started when the church began 70 years ago.
Five Years Later...
Today, in this Ghost Town, there is a vibrant church once again on the edge of the nuclear wasteland. As Pastor Sato said, the Church will never die. It thrives through the most difficult seasons. It survived communism, persecution, and many other pressures over time. And, today the most vibrant movement worldwide is the one started by Christ himself.
So, no matter what the condition of our countries, the Church will continue to grow and expand. Nothing can stop it! All political systems will come and go. All politicians and world leaders will come and go. But the work of Christ will endure forever!
The Church renews itself even in the midst of a Ghost Town!
For years, 230 to be exact, Japan lived in isolation. Missionaries were expelled and little foreign influence was allowed. Yet, despite this, Pastor Sato shared about hidden believers who persevered in the midst of the crisis. Believers who kept following Christ despite the persecution. See this picture from the Kanji Museum in Kyoto highlighting that season. Soon a new film will be released about this history, a film based on the famous Japanese writer Shusaku Endo’s 1966 acclaimed novel "Silence". I hope you get a chance to watch it this winter. Here’s the trailer if you want to check it out. I’m sure eager to see it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASU4wvY0CbE
The Work of Jesus Lasts Forever
You see: the work of Jesus lasts forever. You can trust in Him and the Kingdom of God is Never at Risk! As Pastor Sato shared,
"No matter how big, small or difficult; God was going to revive the church. God is always greater than those problems!"
I hope this encourages you today!
Joe Handley
@jwhandley
Above: Pastor Akira Sato with Silk and me.
More Information
- Related Story: Are Your Problems Bigger than Your God?
- Reflection: http://www.asianaccess.org/reflections/wandering-church.html
- Exodus Church: http://www.asianaccess.org/exoduschurch.html
