Keiyaku RPC

Location: Kobe, Japan

Presbytery: Japan

Organization Date: March 1975

Membership: 45 communicant, 20 baptized

Pastor: Shigeru Takiura

Our History

The foundation for the Keiyaku RPC began on Oct. 1, 1957, with Sabbath evening worship services conducted by Pastor Gene Spear and Pastor Masunaga. Services were held at the Covenanter Book Store in Sannomiya (downtown Kobe). In 1964, Pastor Spear and his family moved to Okamoto, east of Sannomiya. In March 1966, Sabbath morning worship services began at Okamoto. In 1968, they bought the land where the current church is located, and in 1973, the construction of the new church building began.

In 1975, the Okamoto church was organized. Pastor Jim Pennington, Pastor Bill Sterrett, and Miss Oreta Everett were also involved in the ministry. In 1977, Pastor Takiura came back from study at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Miss., and was installed as pastor. The members decided to name the church Okamoto Keiyaku Church. “Keiyaku” means covenant.

In the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995, none of the church members were killed, although many lost their houses and some friends passed away. The church building was used by groups such as F.H.I. and K.G.K. (Japanese InterVarsity Fellowship) as well as groups from North American RP Churches as the center of their operations to aid the earthquake victims.

In 1996, Kobe Theological Hall was started as a ministry under the Okamoto Keiyaku session; later it became the theological institution of the presbytery.

Our Ministries

Keiyaku RPC is involved in various outreach ministries. A women’s group meets on Tuesdays for Bible study and “Soup and Bread.” A children’s English class meets on Wednesday afternoons and is taught by Pastor Takiura and his son, Shohei. A mothers and nursery children`s group led by Pastor and Mrs. Takiura meets on Tuesday and Friday mornings. Most of these children and mothers are not Christians, so this is truly an opportunity for outreach. Sabbath school ministry is an outreach for the neighboring non-Christian children as well.

Three times per year, a ministry called Kid’s Gate (based on Jesus’ warning to enter through the narrow gate) is held. Invitations are given to children in the neighborhood. The two-hour program includes a Bible message, snacktime, and games. There is also a three-day vacation Bible school for children in the neighborhood in late July each year.

Pastor Takiura serves as the clerk of the township council and tries to use this opportunity as an outreach to the people of the area. Two times per year, a guest pastor is invited to preach for an Evangelism Sabbath. Members of the church are particularly encouraged to invite visitors to come to this worship service.

In December each year, the Sabbath school children act out the nativity story. Tracts are given out to neighborhood children, inviting them to participate in the kid’s party.

In August each year, there is a two-day retreat at Hiruzen Camp in the highlands. Some Sabbath evenings members go out to Ono city, to a church member`s home, and have an evening branch service there.

Prayer Requests

• Pray for God to raise up more men to serve as elders and pastors. This is especially important in Japan due to the pressures of work and culture.

• Pray that the Lord will use the ministry of the church to bring more people and children to know Him.

• Pray that the current church members would be faithful.

• Pray for Pastor Takiura, Elder Enomoto, Deacon Nakamura, and their families, that the Lord would strengthen them to do His work.

• Please pray for the preparations for the 50th anniversary celebration of the beginning of the Keiyaku Mission to be held in 2007.

• Pray for wisdom as the church considers a branch ministry in another area near Kobe. Pray for the members’ witness through work, school, and neighborhood.