Report on the Establishment of the Japan General Assembly

Preface

“ ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of armies.” (Zech 4:6b, NASB)

Planting and Watering—God Gives the Growth

The history of the church in Japan began in 1926, when 44 Japanese individuals residing in Taiwan accepted the gospel. In 1946, the gospel was brought back to Japan following the conclusion of World War II in August 1945. The believers scattered around Japan forming various places of worship; however, due to a lack of pastoral care and the passing away of early church workers, the holy work remained stagnant. But, “a bent reed He will not break off, and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish.” On October 1, 1953, the Tokyo Church was established, branching out from the church in Taiwan as its mother church. Japanese publications were circulated, the truth was learned, and the foundation of faith was formed. In May 1997, Omurai House of Prayer was established, followed by the Tokyo Sumida Church in 1998. In April 2015,  Yokohama Church and Chiba Church were established consecutively. Preachers, elders, leaders, and council members planted and watered, and God gave the growth (1 Cor 3:6-9).

Accomplishments and Works—Established by God

Thanks to God’s guidance, in November 2010, the Temporary Japan Coordination Board was established and draft regulations were formed under the auspices of the International Assembly in order to strengthen the organization of the church. On January 10, 2011, the first National Church Conference (NCC) was held in Japan, the establishment of the Japan Coordination Board was approved, and pastoral efforts towards the houses of prayer in Kawaguchi and Kansai were strengthened.

On July 28, 2024, the NCC voted to establish the Japan General Assembly. In September, the chairperson of the International Assembly visited Japan to care for its holy work.  On November 28, 2024, after review and approval of the proposal from the NCC,the Japan General Assembly was formally established. On December 22, 2024, the Japan Coordination Board held a joint meeting of holy workers and delegates to elect council members for the General Assembly.

According to the handbook of the International Assembly, if a country or region has five or more churches or houses of prayer, with more than a total of 1,000 members and the ability to be self-reliant, self-supporting, and self-propagating, a General Assembly may be established under the direction of the International Assembly.

Equipping the Saints for the Work of the Ministry

In November 2024, the International Assembly approved the establishment of the Japan General Assembly. During the NCC, 15 members were selected to serve as the Committee Chair, department heads, regional representatives, head of the theological seminary program, and legal representative. 

On November 17, 2024, an orientation workshop was held at Yokohama Church for the newly elected GA council members and local church leaders, during which they were encouraged to work together in the ministry and be good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.

On December 22, 2024, the NCC elected a chair and vice-chair of the conference, along with coordinators and members of joint committees. These committees and positions were established in order to improve the organization and management of the church, to divide and conquer the work so that the holy work may flourish. As the Scripture says, “to [equip] the saints for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love” (Eph 4:12, 16).

Succession of Servitude—a Weighty Mission

On January 12, 2025, a special service was held to commemorate the establishment of the General Assembly of the True Jesus Church in Japan. Everyone gathered together to witness the history of the church in Japan—78 years filled with God’s grace. The special service was led by Preacher Elisha Kobayashi, with Deacon Kenji Kinoshita interpreting. Preacher Aaron Wang led a prayer in understanding, and Deacon Tomutomi Kinoshita read passages from Scripture. Former Head of the Japan Coordination Board, Deacon Isaac Lee, spoke, saying: “The Lord Jesus is the Lord over history. When the seed of the gospel first spread to Japan, it endured the harsh winter but was also nourished by the spring rain, and blossomed and bore fruit in the gentle breeze. The Spirit of God moved generations of people. With the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we journeyed through Sumida and Arakawa, built homes in the plains, pitched tents along the cherry blossom-lined streets, and stood in awe at the crossroads of Abeno, Osaka. Every step is a testament to the work of the Holy Spirit. Generations come and pass, yet Jesus Christ has no beginning nor end—He is eternal and unchanging. Vessels used by God in their generation have become inscribed in history. Those who are remembered by God receive eternal life. We look into the future with hope, relying on the pillar of cloud and fire, unhindered by wind or rain. May God continue to guide the holy work in Japan and glorify His name in this vast land.” The Japanese choir also presented hymns, including “True Jesus Church” and “God Abides,” which deeply moved and inspired the listeners.

The first chair of the General Assembly, Elder Sengi Kinoshita, expressed: 

“With a heavy heart, we take up the burden of holy work as small vessels. Japan is a tough ground for the seed of the gospel. It has been 78 years; 50 years ago, God prepared fellow workers from abroad for the holy work of the present day. Through His grace and mercy, the tough ground was nourished by the sweet rain and allowed the seeds to take root, blossom, and bear fruit. We hope to press onward towards the goal, reaping thirty-, sixty-, even a hundred-fold, rising up and walking through the land, standing firm in the land, with Japan in our hearts, looking towards the world, establishing the faith of the next generation and guiding the Japanese people to the truth. May we accomplish the commission that God has entrusted to us today with all our heart and strength, not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit, that the glory of the church in Japan may be greater than it was before, glorifying the name of the Lord.”

Then Elder Fuming Tse, who was sent by the International Assembly to assist the holy work in Japan, gave an encouragement saying: 

“Today Japan has established its General Assembly, and my heart is touched and  filled with gratitude. God has done a new thing for Japan—in 2019, the holy work plan for Japan included pastoral care, evangelism, and training, as well as five future visions: establish a gospel outreach base, planning the expansion of local churches, establish holistic church organization, revising regulations and bylaws, and establish the Japan General Assembly. Today, hope has been fulfilled; these beautiful dreams are a reality. Achievements, works, establishments—all of these come from God. He will show us great and mighty things. Looking into the future, churches will be established in the mountains of Kanto, Shinkoyasu, Kobe in Kansai, and more. God will lead, open the way, and accomplish wonderful things. May God increase the nation and extend all the borders of the land (Isa 26:15) so the church in Japan will rebuild its walls and extend its boundaries (Mic 7:11). May the Japan General Assembly be well-connected with other general assemblies and the International Assembly, a city of peace and prosperity (Ps 122:6-7).

Building on the Past and Ushering in the Future

Looking back, the ministry of the church in Japan underwent a period of stagnation. However, in this time of difficulty, every generation of elders, preachers, and holy workers were united in heart and mind to prosper the gospel and advance the holy work. God promised us:

“Enlarge the place of your tent;
Stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, do not spare them;
Lengthen your ropes
And strengthen your pegs.
For you will spread out to the right and to the left.
And your descendants will possess nations
And will resettle the desolate cities.” (Isa 54:2-3)

May God’s grace be abundantly poured out upon the churches of Japan. May God’s love inspire the believers in all places; may God’s spirit greatly move us today; may He begin a good work in us so that we may prosper the gospel with one heart and mind. May God open the door of evangelism in every corner of Japan, so that the gospel may greatly flourish (Col 4:2-3; Acts 19:20), and may He increase the nation and extend all the borders of the land.