BCC Blog Articles

The following update was posted to the Missions on the Frontline and the WorldVenture web site late Saturday. 

March 12, 2011- The news accounts and the images streaming out of Japan are heart-wrenching. The terror of the 8.9 earthquake and its subsequent tsunami resulting in such overwhelming devastation are disturbing to watch and to contemplate. In these early days after the quake and the tsunami, our hearts unite with all Jesus followers around the world in praying for the people of Japan in these tenuous times that the love of Christ would deeply touch their lives.

As was announced yesterday, all WorldVenture personnel have been accounted for and all are okay. However, many Japanese friends in northern Japan have not been heard from since the quake and the tsunami. Please pray for all concerned, those awaiting to hear news of loved ones, and those actually in the north and along the coast. Please pray for the Conservative Baptist Association of Japan (CBAJ) church families in...

1. Kurihara City.  There are  two CBAJ churches there and this is nearest to the epicenter.  

2. Kessenuma City.  This is the city that is in flames.  There are two CBAJ churches there.  

3. Natori City.  This is where the tsunami inundated farm land.  There is a church there as well.  

4. There are 30+ churches within a 60 mile radius of the epicenter.

Ken Taylor, WorldVenture Japan Field Leader, reports that local church and mission groups in Japan are organizing for coordinated responses to the overwhelming needs. In the days to come, we anticipate releasing specific details in which individuals and churches can participate in those efforts.

In the midst of the heaviness of this tragedy, various WorldVenture personnel have been emailing, blogging, and facebooking their accounts of the earthquake and the hours following.

John and Eriko Houlette praise God for His protection of Eriko's parents in Sendai.

Ken and Bola Taylor shared that their kids, Luke and Tori, had an earthquake drill at their school the day before the earthquake struck. Given the transportation disruptions, the Taylors had six "new" sons from the Christian Academy in Japan stay with them overnight until they could be reunited with their parents. In each of the accounts, all are grateful for the emails and facebook postings expressing concern and prayers.

Click here to donate to the WorldVenture relief effort!