Church asks for prayer in aftermath of Japan earthquake

Church asks for prayer in aftermath of Japan earthquake An 8.9 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami off the northern coast of Japan killed hundreds, caused numerous injuries, fires, and buildings to collapse Friday afternoon local time. The earthquake sent shockwaves across the Pacific region with an aftershock tsunami hitting the Hawaiian Islands at 10:45 a.m. EST and along the western coastal region of the U.S. at 11:20 a.m. EST. A 33-foot tsunami swept through Japan's coastal region north of Tokyo and destroyed much of the area's infrastructure, limiting communication. Mark Sakamoto, president of Japan Nazarene Theological Seminary, cannot reach the pastor or members of the church in Sendai, where the tsunami struck. Members of the Sendai Church of the Nazarene dedicated their new building only 12 months ago. District leaders will continue their efforts to contact the church's young pastor, Shouei Abe, said David Harris, coordinator of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Asia-Pacific. Sakamoto, also pastor of the Koiwa church in Tokyo, said the quake frightened many people. In his family's apartment above the church, furniture toppled over and items fell onto the floor. The church building withstood the quake, and there are no reports of any injuries or fatalities in that area of Tokyo, Sakamoto said. "I have assured Mark and Japan Nazarenes of the fervent prayer for the Japanese people," said Verne Ward, director of the Church of the Nazarene's Asia-Pacific Region. Ward paused the district assembly in Taiwan for an outpouring of prayer, and offered newly elected Japan District Superintendent Manabu Ishida prayer and hope for the hours and days ahead. Junichi Nakade, a Asia-Pacific and Japan Nazarene Theological Seminary student, his wife, Mari, and their infant son, Tsukushi, visited with Junichi's parents in southern Japan when the quake and subsequent tsunami hit. The Nakades live on the campus of JNTS and said the buildings remain intact, though they are concerned about the state of their campus apartment. The entire east coast of Japan remains under tsunami alerts and the country faces more dilemmas as aftershocks continue and the earthquake damaged major utility plants, including two nuclear power plants. Crews are in the process of cooling down the plants' nuclear reactors after fires broke out in both facilities on Friday, however, 4.4 million homes remain without power. Marty Egashira, a member of Japan NCM, was visiting his mother in the hospital when the earthquake struck. He joins hundreds of people stranded due to damaged roads and a halt in public transportation. He will spend the night in the hospital lobby and hopes to return home tomorrow, he said. This is the strongest earthquake in Japan's recorded history. Government officials expect the number of deaths to increase amid widespread reports of landslides, floods, collapsed buildings, and fires. The 8.9 quake was the first in a series of quakes, the USGS reported, which began at 2:45 p.m. local time about six miles below sea level and 78 miles off the east coast. Five powerful aftershocks of up to 7.1 in magnitude followed within the hour. People in Tokyo, who were 235 miles away from epicenter, felt the shocks as did residents in Beijing, China, CNN reported. The Church of the Nazarene's Board of General Superintendents, while scattered in global assignments and ministry, is issuing a call to prayer. As the church journeys through the season of Lent, anticipating the memorial of the Lord's crucifixion and the glorious message of His resurrection, believers know God is present in times of suffering. Prayers invoke the mercy, grace, and compassion of the Savior on behalf of all those affected by this disaster. The church asks Nazarenes everywhere to pause and pray on behalf of the Japanese people, and provide assistance if possible. Persons and churches wishing to make a donation can do so online through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries at ncm.org. Checks can be marked "ACM1762 Tsunami/Earthquake Relief 2011" and mailed to Global Treasury Services, PO Box 843116 Kansas City, MO 64184. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to the Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Road, Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3.