Tokyo/Prague – Christians should not exploit the needs of Japan’s people for evangelistic purposes. That concern was recently expressed by Tony Peck (Prague), General-Secretary of the European Baptist Federation (EBF). Yet when the foundations of life are severely shaken and people are ‘forced to reassess their priorities and values’, we followers of Jesus should ‘stand ready to give reason for the hope that is in us’. In an article for the German magazine Die Gemeinde, Peck also warned of ‘easy and glib answers’. That indeed is the case when we claim that God is ‘in control of the world’. But the world today ‘is not as God intended it to be when he created it’. ‘Perhaps the greatest gift which God has given the world is the freedom to accept or reject his purposes. So there is much in our world which grieves the heart of God.’ Yet Peck remains deeply convinced ‘that God does not give up on the world he still loves.’

Peck also criticised the continued usage of nuclear energy. Though it has many advantages, a disaster ‘can affect the lives and the health of hundreds of thousands. I am not sure that I as a Christian can justify such risk to so many lives.’ It is consequently better to produce energy ‘by harnessing God’s good gifts of wind and waves.’

Baptists have opened the administrative offices of the Japan Baptist Convention in Saitama near Tokyo to care for the pregnant and for mothers with small children from the region of the destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant. Also churches and private homes are to open their doors for refugees.

Japan has four Baptist unions. The Baptist pastor Makito Suzuki from Koryama near Fukushima reported that although people are highly-concerned about radiation levels in the region, most prefer to remain at home and not be evacuated. His most recent worship service was attended by 27 persons – nearly as many as before the catastrophe. Makoto Kato, the General-Secretary of Japan Baptist Convention, reported that all of Japan’s Baptist unions had joined forces to open a crisis centre geared to coordinating aid programmes. Due to the destruction of many roads, transporting aid to the needy remains problematic. It was also reported that Baptists throughout the crisis region had supplied their workers with masks designed to block the intake of radioactive particles. Shortages of petrol and heating oil remain. Due to petrol shortages, some congregations have cancelled prayer meetings and requested their members to gather privately for prayer.

According to OMF International, which was once known as Overseas Missionary Fellowship, many of the world’s Christians are willing to aid the suffering. Yet many Japanese find it emotionally difficult to accept aid from outsiders. With 120 missionaries from across the globe, OMF remains one of Japan’s largest missionary associations. It was reported that OMF therefore cooperates solely with local, native partners. These include the relief agency CRASH (Christian Relief, Assistance, Support and Hope), which in turn cooperates closely with the Japanese Evangelical Alliance. When foodstuffs or clothing are passed out by the Japanese to Japanese, they are accepted without reservation. Alliance Mission, which is sponsored by Germany’s Union of Free-Evangelical Churches, reports that many older Japanese are unwilling to leave the most-damaged regions. Such persons feel unable to forsake the graves of their ancestors. Strong concern remains for the 14.000 still-missing persons, who most likely perished in the tsunami. If they are not buried in the traditional manner, then it is assumed their spirits will not come to rest. In addition to the material needs, these fears trouble survivors.