The Kichijoji J.GOSPEL FES 2026 was held at the outdoor stage of Inokashira Park on Saturday, April 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
A total of twenty teams belonging to The Vision took part in the event.
Blessed with beautiful weather, many people visited the park. Not only did people sit on the benches and listen, but many also stopped to listen to the gospel songs.
The event reached its peak during the finale song, “God is Love.” After the finale, there was a special time of praise by members of the Taiwan team, which drew even more people.
A staff member from the park management office also came to watch and said, “It was very lively. When will the next event be?”
The next event is scheduled to be held in November, when the autumn leaves are at their best.
In addition, many Kokoro Gospel flyers were distributed, and many people showed interest.
The exchange during the Taiwan mission team’s visit to the Miaoli County Government Civil Affairs Bureau on April 23 was posted on the bureau’s official Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17DmUSpPKW/
Once the singing began, the whole place fell silent— this was not a performance, but an encounter that touched the heart.
Yesterday in Miaoli, we experienced something truly special and moving. If you had been at the county government, you too would have stopped in your tracks, just as we did, drawn by the singing.
A pastoral team led by Paul Akimoto from Tokyo Antioch Church in Japan visited, and under the warm hospitality of Vice Magistrate Lai Hsiang-ling, a sincere and heartfelt time of fellowship began.
This was not merely a courtesy visit, but a blessing that went beyond language and national borders.
At first, we thought it would be a formal meeting, but what moved us the most were the two songs of praise you offered there.
Even without lighting or stage effects, once you began to sing, the entire space fell silent.
Your pure and powerful voices were clear, harmonious, and reached straight to the heart. It made us wonder, “Is this really live singing?” It is no exaggeration to say that you were truly professional.
At that moment, the difference in language no longer mattered. The music had already firmly connected Japan and Taiwan.
The most memorable part of this exchange was not its formality, but moments like these.
People from different cultures and backgrounds come closer through faith and goodwill, sharing moments that leave a lasting impression on their hearts.
In 2027, the Taiwan Lantern Festival will be held in Miaoli.
In our hearts, a small but sincere hope has begun to grow. Someday, we would love to welcome the members of Tokyo Antioch Church back to Miaoli, and on an even greater stage, share your beautiful songs with many more people, so that they may come to know your presence and be touched by your voices.
We are sure it will be another wonderful encounter.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of you who came from afar. You have brought great blessing and deep inspiration to Miaoli.
Some voices, once heard, remain in the heart for a long time. We sincerely look forward to seeing you again in the near future.
“Kichijoji J.GOSPEL FES 2026” will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the outdoor stage of Inokashira Park. The event will run from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM, with free admission.
More than 20 gospel groups are scheduled to perform, featuring original gospel music created in Japan.
On April 21, 2026, a gathering led by the Taiwan team will be livestreamed.
The event will take place from 9:50 AM to 10:30 AM local time (10:50 AM to 11:30 AM Japan Standard Time) at an activity center in Touwu City, where approximately 40 elderly participants will join in singing gospel songs.
The livestream will be available on the following channel:
