Sister Susan of Okayama Philadelphia Church peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 10, at 1:00 p.m., completing her earthly journey at the age of 92.
According to the wishes of the bereaved family, no Homegoing Service was held. Instead, a small farewell gathering was held at her care facility together with relatives and church members. Her face was peaceful and serene.
We sincerely thank everyone for your prayers and support.
The Okinawa Preliminary Round of the was held.
The results are as follows:
General Division
1st Place — Wakana (Nambu Antioch)
2nd Place — Crossroad (Nago Antioch)
3rd Place — Gospel Choir (Okinawa Jerusalem)
4th Place — Wakimizu (Okinawa Jerusalem)
5th Place — Joy Joy (Okinawa Jerusalem)
Wakana and Crossroad will advance to the Hakuba Finals.
Gospel Choir, Wakimizu, and Joy Joy will move on to the additional selection round for possible qualification.
Kids Division
1st Place — Sharon (Okinawa Jerusalem)
The Hakuba Camp will be held from Tuesday, July 14 to Friday, July 17, 2026.
Registration will begin on Sunday, May 17.
We look forward to your participation.
The Chubu Preliminary Round of the was held.
The results are as follows:
General Division
1st Place — Shirushi to Fushigi (Yokkaichi)
2nd Place — Zion Gospel Choir (Yokkaichi)
2nd Place — H&E Gospel Choir (Nagoya)
Shirushi to Fushigi will advance to the Hakuba Finals.
Zion Gospel Choir and H&E Gospel Choir will move on to the additional selection round for possible qualification.
U21 Division
1st Place — Elijah (Nagoya)
1st Place — Inori (Yokkaichi)
The Kyushu Preliminary Round of the was held.
The results are as follows:
1st Place — Pure Water (Nagasaki)
1st Place — RPJ (Nagasaki)
3rd Place — Miracle (Kitakyushu)
4th Place — GIVE (Kumamoto)
5th Place — Koureisha Gospel Club (Nagasaki)
Because there was a tie for first place, a drawing was held, and Pure Water was selected to advance to the Hakuba Finals.
RPJ, Miracle, GIVE, and Koureisha Gospel Club will move on to the additional selection round for possible qualification.
We sincerely thank you for your precious prayers and offerings for the Water Flowing From the Sanctuary Mission.
At this time, there is a need of 140,000 yen remaining from last month’s expenses for the operation of the Tokyo office. Please remember this need in your prayers. Those who feel led to support the ministry are kindly asked to consider giving an offering.
Postal Transfer Account
Account Name: Living Water From the Sanctuary Mission
Account Number: 00110-3-535710
Bank Account
Branch: 019 Branch (019)
Account Number: 535710
On May 9, a healing meeting was held at Tokyo Antioch Church.
Mr. Joseph Akimoto shared his testimony of healing from schizophrenia. Born into a pastor’s family, he attended church every Sunday from childhood. However, during his second year of university, he suddenly began hearing disturbing voices saying, “I’m going to kill you. You should die. You’re disgusting.”
At his worst point, even the sound of the shower seemed to be speaking badly about him. He believed people were watching and chasing him, and once shouted from his balcony, “Stop watching me! I’ll kill you!” He became unable to attend school or even go outside alone.
After about a week in this condition, he was taken to a psychiatric hospital. Even on the drive there, he believed the car behind them belonged to an organization trying to kill him. A doctor diagnosed him with schizophrenia, and he was hospitalized for three months.
After leaving the hospital, he fell into deep discouragement because of his illness and could no longer meet his friends. He lost confidence and hope, and this difficult season continued for about ten years.
But God had not abandoned him. One day, a woman contacted him and said, “I believe God is leading us toward marriage. Would you like to pray together?”
He thought she would be disappointed if she learned about his condition, but he honestly told her everything. In response, she said, “Let’s pray together for your healing.”
From that time on, they met once a week in a park to pray and read the Bible together. She also gave him homework: every day he was to read Bible verses and written confessions of faith aloud. With the support of his family, he gradually became able to pray for five minutes each day.
She even prepared a prayer notebook for him and placed “Well done!” stickers in it. Encouraged by this, he began praying and reading the Bible more and more, continuing to confess in faith, “I am healed.”
Then one morning, about a year later, he woke up feeling physically light, mentally clear, and filled with strength to live. As he sincerely sought healing, stood in faith, and held firmly to the Word of God, he experienced healing from schizophrenia.
Today, Mr. Akimoto is married to Yorokobi of the gospel group Peace, and he is working and living a blessed and fulfilling life.
1st Place — Splendor
2nd Place — NIJI
3rd Place — Kobe Sanbitai
4th Place — Ruth
Splendor and NIJI will advance to the finals in Hakuba.
Kobe Sanbitai and Ruth will move on to the additional selection round for possible qualification.
Starting May 10, a new series of “Christian Yorimichi Radio” will begin streaming.
The theme of this series is:
“Stories of Unexpected Failures Turned into Victory ③”
Approximately 80 pastors and evangelists from Tokyo Antioch Church will share experiences from their daily lives through daily broadcasts.
How were new paths opened in the midst of unexpected failures and difficulties?
We invite you to listen to each inspiring testimony.
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH2haHWDiTsWMf1YCdAk7vyWMcJg5vCeR&si=lPSAUA5X0rcZYLnc
HAKUBA WORLD GOSPEL FESTIVAL 2026 Tohoku region’s preliminary was held.
There was a tie for first place, so a rock-paper-scissors tiebreaker was held. First place: Message Runner-up: Putao
Message will compete in the Hakuba Tournament.
Putao goes through the runner-up selection process.
