Three baptized

TOYOTA CITY, JAPAN

On April 21, three new Japanese believers received baptism in a specially constructed tank in the yard of Laurence and Leona Hiebert, MB Missions/Services church planters in Japan. The new church members are:

  • Yuko Ohira, a young woman now entering university to become a nurse. She first came to the Toyota church about three years ago, when she noticed the sign the church puts up on a street corner each Sunday. When she became interested in becoming a Christian, her parents were opposed. Last summer, she trusted Christ and wrote a letter to her mother explaining what had happened. In her testimony to the group witnessing the baptism, Yuko, whose name means "One Who Serves God", shared that she wants to live up to her name, serving the true and living God, rather than the gods her parents had in mind.

  • Akiko Inoue, a real estate agent the Hieberts met during their initial search for housing in 1991. Until then, Mrs. Inoue had no knowledge of Christianity. As a result of repeated contact, she became interested in the missionaries and their work, joined an English class, later came to a Christmas concert and began attending church two years ago. As she read the Bible, noticed the quality of the lives of the Christians at the church and evaluated the lifestyle and teachings of the priest at the temple she was associated with, she came to faith last year. Mrs. Inoue has told her co-workers she has become a Christian. At church, she assists once a month with children's church. Her husband shows no interest in her new faith but said they might have to celebrate Christmas in some way, now that there is a Christian in the house!

  • Akihisa Takahashi, entering grade 12, called in January to ask where the church met. His neighbour, a former English student of Laurence's, had told him that Laurence was a pastor. He soon came to faith. At the baptism, he testified that Jesus' teaching regarding loving our enemies, along with the parable of the Good Samaritan, has influenced him greatly. The young man seemed to have the consent of his parents to be baptized. In fact, they have told the Hieberts that he has changed and "treats his younger sister much nicer now".

    The Hieberts expressed thanksgiving for these commitments and requested continued prayer for the three, as they will likely encounter increasing opposition.

    A poignant side note: The baptismal tank was built in March by Laurence and his father, David Hiebert of Gem, Alta., during the latter's visit to Japan. Though suffering from inoperable liver cancer, David was able to do much of the work and enjoy the news that the tank has now already been put to good use.

    Gary Hardaway, MBM/S Communications and Public Relations

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