Amid the prayers of church members nationwide, the Japan Union Conference (JUC) held its 39th Constituency Session from January 11 to 13, 2026, at Kamenokoyama Church.
Before the session began, students from Samyook Academy Middle School offered beautiful praise during a musical program, creating a reverent, worshipful atmosphere for the meetings. Held under the theme “Christ Is Coming. Send Me” (cf. Revelation 22:20; Isaiah 6:8), the session provided an opportunity to review the evangelistic work and ministry of the past five years and to confirm the mission direction for the next quinquennium.
During the session, delegates elected new officers to lead the Union for the coming term. Pastor Yutaka Inada was re-elected as president, continuing his leadership. Pastor Hiroshi Ito, who had faithfully served as president of the East Japan Conference for the past four and a half years, as executive secretary, and Masahiro Hirao as treasurer. In addition, Pastor Tsutomu Inada, long-serving president of the West Japan Conference, will serve as director of evangelism.
As the church reflects on the signs pointing to Christ’s soon return, the newly elected officers expressed not celebration but a deep sense of responsibility and solemn resolve. In his acceptance remarks, President Yutaka Inada said, “I feel the weight of this responsibility, but I will move forward together with you, trusting in the cooperation and prayers of my fellow workers,” emphasizing unity and dedication.
In the closing sermon that concluded the session, President Inada delivered a powerful message titled “Lift Up Your Eyes,” drawing from John 4 and Isaiah 60:2-4. He urged the delegates, saying, “The burdens of reality and the many challenges before us can easily draw our eyes downward. Now is the time to lift up our eyes and faithfully carry out the mission God has entrusted to us until the end.”
Delegates from churches across the nation responded with a resounding “Amen,” reaffirming their commitment to fulfill the mission of evangelism in Japan.