London Conference Overseas Personnel

Mission Prayer Partners

Rob & Keiko Witmer – Dohoku Christian Centre

Rob and Keiko Witmer are Overseas Personnel from the United Church of Canada to the United Church of Christ in Japan (also known as the Kyodan). In 1973, Rob married Keiko Kido whom he had met in Japan. Keiko grew up in a fishing town on Hokkaido and attended the Hokusei Gakuen Kindergarten Teacher’s Training School. Rob and Keiko have 3 children who are now adults, 2 of whom are living in London.

Rob was appointed in a United Church missionary to Japan in 1968. He taught English in Hokkaido. Rob attended Emmanuel College and was ordained by London Conference in 1980. Rob & Keiko work at the Dohoku Christian Centre, supporting house churches, doing pastoral duties and teaching English.

Rob describes his work this year: “It has been another busy year but we have continued to focus our activities in a few main areas, concentrating on educational and pastoral work around issues in food and agriculture, and cooperative activities with the churches in northern Hokkaido.”

“A highlight of the year was welcoming a group of 11 rural people and pastors sent by the Rural Life Committee of the London Conference of The United Church of Canada to participate in a Hokkaido Farm Tour. In 8 days the group traveled more than 1,500 km visiting farms, centres and churches, as well as spending three days in the homes of Three Love members scattered throughout northern Hokkaido. This is the 4th such exchange between Hokkaido and London Conference since 1989. We hope that what the group experienced here will bear fruit in the church in Canada in the days ahead.”

The Mission & Service Fund supports Rob and Keiko and the United Church of Christ in Japan in God’s mission.

Dohoku Christian Centre in Hokkaido

Our new project has been producing "Peace on Earth" tomato juice. With the assistance and encouragement of a local farm family, we are in the business of processing and selling tomato juice. Proceeds from the sale of the juice will support future plans for the Centre as well as providing funding for peacemaking activities. (see the links to photos of the process listed below)

three love movement

The Dohoku Christian Centre holds the Three Love Seminars for farmers. The Three Love movement originated in Denmark at the turn of the 20^th century. It was brought to Japan 50 years ago to provide support for farmers. It is based on the love of humanity, love of the soil and love of God. Alfred Stone a United Church of Canada missionary to Japan from Highgate, from 1926 to the mid 1950’s, helped to establish the program.

The Three Love Seminars provide an opportunity for farmers (sometimes Christian, sometimes not) to gather to talk of their struggles, and to discuss what they are trying to accomplish. Rob says:

“We always take time for Bible study because that is where we can engage the Gospel and let it speak to us. ….As Gospel people, I think it is important that we hold up God’s intention for creation as people struggle with difficult choices.”

They also discuss agricultural policy, the role of women in rural society and world trends from an economic, sociological, political and environmental viewpoint.

Did you know that?

· 1.3 million Japanese (1%) are Christians (1 ½ times the United Church of Canada’s membership). Shinto and Buddhism are the major religions.

Letters and Photos from Japan – Dec 2003