Saitama is a northern neighbor of Tokyo and much of the prefecture is being urbanized, creating the feeling that it is simply an extension of Tokyo. Moutain farming villages still maintain religious beliefs deeplyrooted in folklore and superstition. On the other hand, many people in the urban areas participate in “new religion” activities.
In 1872, Kyuemon Kojima from Saitama visited Yokohama to sell his silk products and there he heard the gospel from missionary Hepburn. In 1875, he received baptism and brough a number of Bibles back home to open his own home for evangelism. In 1879, the Wato Church, the first church in Saitama, was formed.
<Saitama>
Towns/villages with no churches: 49
Churches/person: 1: 17,946
Average church attendance: 35
Sep 27: The planting of new churches is scarcely keeping up with the rapid population growth. Pray that Saitama churches will catch the vision for aggressive church planting. Pray that as the churches grow, their vision for evangelism will also increase.
Sep 28: Television Saitama broadcast Life Line (Sat. 8am), Harvest Time (Sat 8:30am), and Invitation to Happiness. Pray for salvation decisions and effective follow-up.
Sep 29: Oer 6,600 students are attending Seibo Gakuen, Urawa Lutheran Gakuin, Sei Gakuin ad Rikkyo Gakuin. May each student experience the meaning of grace and lordship.
Sep 30: Omiya Central General Hospital with 266 beds. The home page for the two Kiamoto City clinics, Gospel Clinic and the South Gospel Clinic shares a clear gospel testimony.
Oct 1: “I will obey your word” (Psalm 119:17). May the Christians of Saitama be revived and obey His Word today.
Oct 2: The cities of Hasuda and Hatogaya have only one church each. There are 27 towns and villages with no church. washimiya, Matsubushi, Kamisato, Kawajima, Menuma, and Yoshimi are the largest of these.
*All information and prayer requests taken from “Operation Japan -Prayer Guide- Third Edition” -Japan Evangelical Missionary Association, 2005. To purchase a copy of “Operation Japan” book or the Interactive CD version, go to: http://www.jema.org/joomla15/index.php?option=com_banners&task=click&bid=10.