On September 7th and 8th, Kyoshu-sama made a missionary visit to Kanagawa area. His successor, Masaaki-sama accompanied him on his visit.
At the Membership Meeting held on the 8th, Kyoshu-sama explained it is because God is strongly guiding us through Meishu-sama that we are able to make efforts in serving in the divine work of true salvation that Meishu-sama is revealing to us. And Kyoshu-sama guided us saying that God’s purpose is to make us His own children – this is God manifesting Himself; and he said that serving God means that we have the awareness that we were born on earth so God can manifest His existence through us.
He said that Meishu-sama clearly put forth this salvation for all of humanity with the establishment of World Church of Messiah and that Meishu-sama’s thoughts and feelings from that time has pierced through us from beginning to end and continues to penetrate even now. He clearly explained that the time has come for us to become one, and with Meishu-sama at the forefront, serve in God’s divine work in which He accomplishes his work of salvation for all of humanity with the “Great Divine Power of God that the Messiah exercises.”
Masaaki-sama referred to how Meishu-sama used “Messiah” for his church name and a very Christian word “glory” for his organizational publication; he left words such as “act in concert with Christianity” and “World Church of Messiah” will become extremely close to Christianity.”
And he also mentioned that Meishu-sama said in his last years he was “born anew” – a literal embodiment of the words in the Gospel According to John of the New Testament, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Masaaki-sama said that even though Meishu-sama clearly showed the close and inseparable relationship between our church and Christianity, we did not carry this on as a church until now.
However, with fervor, he continued that this will of Meishu-sama is now being conveyed through Kyoshu-sama.
Kyoshu-sama and Masaaki-sama personally answered questions from members covering a wide range of topics and afterwards, member volunteers offered the “Hallelujah” chorus from Messiah. At the end, everyone sang “Ieji” (Goin’ Home).
And after the Membership Meeting, Kyoshu-sama and his family were present for a friendly meeting over lunch, sharing a meal together with members.
