Welcome to the Westminster Japanese Church Website!
Our church started in 1977 in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, and believes in a firm commitment to Bible teachings in the spirit of the English Reformation (Protestant).
There are various gatherings (Bible study sessions, prayer sessions, fellowships of people who gather in the church, mothers and children's associations in the middle of raising children, etc.) centered on Sunday worship services. We also hold seasonal events for children, golf tournaments, bowling tournaments, etc.
Anyone can participate in worship services and meetings. In addition, there will be simultaneous interpretation in English and childcare by the person in charge at the weekly service, so please feel free to use it if you wish.
We hope that through the words of the Bible, our church will be the heart of as many people as possible in the Japanese community.
Please come to worship once. We'll be waiting for your visit sincerely.
Pastor Masato Nagai
* Our church has nothing to do with Jehovah's Witnesses, the Unification Church, Mormonism, or any other organization.
WORSHIP AND MINISTRIES
Sunday Service
We worship every Sunday from 11:00 am. (in person and online)
The Westminster Japanese Church belongs to the Presbyterian Church in America, but with people of all denominations, listen quietly to the words of the Bible and hymn.
Don't you have your own Bible or hymn? No problem! They are available at the reception desk.
Other services are nursing for young children, simultaneous interpretation from Japanese to English, and lunch after the first and third Sunday services each month. The sacrament ceremony is held on the first Sunday of every month.
Sunday schools for adults, children, and toddlers start at 10 o'clock.
First-timers and non-Christians are also welcome.
Please feel free to come to worship with us.
Church Activities
You are welcome to join any of the following activities, regardless of age or faith. Due to the pandemic, the following schedules are subjected to change. Feel free to to contact us for further details.
Men's Committee (after worship on the 3rd Sunday)
It is a gathering of male members in the church. We have time to discuss what we have learned from the Bible and what we have experienced. Men's Committee also hosts annual events (Mother's Day BBQ, saury BBQ) and have fun events such as golf tournaments.
Women's Committee (after worship on the 3rd Sunday)
The purpose is for the women who gather in our church to sing hymns and play games, valuing the friendly atmosphere, growing together through faith and service, and deepening the bonds between women.
Prayer Meeting (every Wednesday)
After reading the Bible and studying briefly, we all pray for various prayer tasks. We do it every other week in the morning and evening. Contact us for details.
Bible study (every Friday at 10:30 am)
Both believers and unbelievers will carefully read the Bible one by one and learn about faith from the beginning in a flexible format.
Robanoko Playgroup (1st & 3rd Thursday 10:30 am)
Playgroup for preschoolers and Moms. The purpose is to deepen exchanges between parents and children while enjoying seasonal events and bring-your-own lunches. There is also a story about child-rearing based on the Bible, an excellent opportunity for parents and children to learn the Bible.
Sunday School (every Sunday 10:00 am)
Adult class A: Class for those unfamiliar with Christianity and interested in Christianity but do not understand it well. It features a small group of free-spirited discussions and easy-to-understand explanations of the Bible passages quoted in the day's worship sermons.
Adult class B: For those who want to know the Bible more deeply. You can learn the Bible through textbooks and discussions.
Children's class: We have multiple classes according to age. The toddler class will become familiar with the Bible story while having a good time singing and crafting. In elementary school and above classes, we use textbooks to help us understand the Bible better, and we also recite scriptures. In the 4th week of every month, in addition to the Bible story, we also hold a mini-session where children can enjoy learning, such as a science experiment called "Kids Program." Click here for more information.
Pastor Tsuneyoshi Takeda and Makimi
Meet Our Pastor
Church Choir at the Christmas
Pastor Masato Nagai
Pastor Masato Nagai
Born in 1958. Graduated from Kobe Reform School Theological School. After working as a pastor at Ogaki Church in Gifu Prefecture for four years and Nagaoka Church in Fukuoka Prefecture for 13 years, he became a pastor at the Westminster Japanese Church in May 2012.
A family of five, a wife, Mitori, and a daughter and two sons.
Our church is an "interdenominational church" in which people from various denominations are members of the church.
What is important in this church is to "look at the common things, not the differences" and "the model of the church closest to heaven." I am trying to share the love taught by Jesus, who came to this world 2000 years ago, and to convey that love to others.
If you want to know about the church, please come in if the door of the church is open. Also, please participate in the worship service once.
We look forward to the day when you can pass through the church gate!
Church History
Name:
Westminster Japanese Church was named for
the church that adopted the WestminsterCreed, which best expresses the spirit of
the Reformation, in the hope of forming a church that stands firm on the Bible, faithfully obeys the missionary commands of the
Lord Jesus, and continues to be reformed by the Bible in the spirit of the
Reformation. We took this name as a
church that adopts the Westminster Creed.
Start of evangelism:
On March 18, 1977, Pastor Takeda and his
family arrived in Atlanta.
They began evangelism while working as churchwardens for Westminster Presbyterian Church. The first Japanese Holy Day service was held on April 24.
Full-time Since:
July 1, 1978, The Westminster Japanese Church has been a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). With the encouragement of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), North Georgia Middle Church, and other friends of the faith, we began full-time evangelism.
Move:
The pastor moved to 2512 Ball Park Dr., Tucker, GA 30084 on August 19, 1978; since then various meetings and activities, other than worship services, were held at the
pastor's house.
Change of Pastor's Status:
Effective July 1, 1985, Pastor Takeda was
assigned to work under the Mission to North
America
(MNA: Mission to North America, under the jurisdiction of the Conference).
Licensed as a religious corporation:
The State of Georgia recognized and
licensed the "Westminster Japanese Church Inc." on
January 8, 1987.
Purchased land and building:
On
August 27, 1987, the Westminster Japanese Church received an answer to 10 years of
prayer, the purchase of land and a building located at 11450 Bowen Rd.,
Roswell, GA 30075.
The pastor and his family moved to the church.
Change of Service Location and Time:
For the first ten years of our ministry, since the start
of the mission, we had been holdingSunday
services in the afternoon at Westminster Presbyterian Church. The last service was
held on October 25, 1987. After this last service we started services at 10:30
a.m. atthe
new location.
Construction of the new worship center and
parsonage:
The
foundation work for the new church building started in the spring of 2004, and
the building
permit was obtained on June 21, when full-scale construction began. The
first service was held in the new sanctuary on November 21.
Dedication Ceremony:
On
April 3, 2005, we held a dedication ceremony for the new church building and parsonage.
30th Anniversary Commemorative Project:
In April 2007, we held the 30th anniversary service (lecturer: Rev. Masato Nagai) and held a commemorative concert with Toshiya Inagaki and Kumiko Endo providing a good opportunity to let the Japanese community know about the church.
In September 2009, 800 copies of the 30th anniversary commemorative magazine were published and distributed.
Pastor Change:
Pastor
Masato Nagai and his wife, chosen to be Pastor Takeda's successor, arrived in Atlanta
on April 26, 2012. We held a ceremony for Pastor Masato Nagai on May 6.
Pastor
Takeda continued at the Westminster Japanese Church for one year as he helped
with the transition to Pastor Nagai. Pastor Takeda then retired and became Pastor
Emeritus at the end of April, 2013.
40th Anniversary Celebration:
On April 23, 2017, we observed the 40th anniversary of our founding (Lecturer: Tsuneyoshi Takeda, Pastor Emeritus) and held a commemorative concert with Ms. Rutsuko Honda.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
CONTACT US
Westminster Japanese Church
11450 Bowen Road, Roswell GA 30075
Phone number 770-594-1382
Email goodnewssunday4012@gmail.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Westminster-Japanese-Church-368926333188257/
Instagram ＠westminster.jc