Our History

A journey of faith, growth, and community impact in Kyoto.

Assembly Kyoto Church History

Assembly Kyoto Church Signboard

The Assembly Kyoto Church is a founding member of the Japan Assemblies of God (JAG). It is officially registered as Shichijo Kirisuto Kyokai (namely, Shichijo Christ Church), and has been since November 9, 1947.

Though the English ministry started as early as 1995, the International Service didn't commence until May 1999.

We thank God for a steady stream of people coming from all nations and from all walks of life. We seek to welcome everyone with the love of God, enjoining everyone to worship and serve Him, and to proclaim His salvation to all peoples.

A Brief History of the Assembly Kyoto Church’s (AKC) International Ministry

Fast Facts

  • Mikko & Maree Makelainen – first foreign missionaries to work with AKC (1995–1997)
  • Yoriko Inoue – first convert baptized through the English ministry (1996)
  • Tony & Ka Min Mills – conducted the first international service on May 2, 1999
  • Joseph & Jo Ann Ricohermoso – International Teams missionaries from the Philippines; pastors of the international congregation (2007–2019)
  • Hirokatsu Yoshihara – led the English service and Bible studies (2019–2023)
  • Wataru Murakami – oversees the English ministry since April 2023

There are no accidents in the divine agenda; only definitive acts of grace. This truth proves true in the case of how the English ministry of Assembly Kyoto Church (AKC) got started.

The Great Hanshin Earthquake

The Great Hanshin Earthquake, also known as the Kobe Earthquake, occurred on January 17, 1995, in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.

The earthquake claimed approximately 6,500 lives and measured 7.3 on the JMA magnitude scale.

God was doing something when He was shaking the land as if He were re-ordering things.

First Partnership with Foreign Missionaries

Mikko Makelainen, a Finnish-Australian, together with his wife Maree and son Nathan initially planned to settle and start a ministry in Kobe.

However, the tragic event changed the direction of their plan.

Under the leadership of Pastors Hisoka and Keiko Murakami, AKC gave the family the opportunity to begin English conversation classes at the church from April 2, 1995 until early 1997.

God rewarded their missionary effort with the first convert, Ms. Yoriko Inoue, who was baptized in 1996.

Halfway through their term, the Makelainens pioneered a church in Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto Prefecture.

The Lord also blessed them with another son, Michael, during their stay.

A New Direction

Tony Mills (Australian) applied for recognition as a Japan Assemblies of God missionary in 1998.

He began serving at AKC on March 21, 1999 together with his wife Ka Min (Malaysian) and son John Paul.

The very first international service in English was conducted on May 2, 1999.

Soon after:

  • Ayumi Suzuki was baptized on May 23, 1999
  • Noboru Shinozaki was baptized on December 17, 2000

Both were fruits of the English Bible Class ministry.

The Mills family later moved to Kyushu Kamae Church in Oita Prefecture in May 2001.

Another Transition

Mark and Sarah Gee from Australia began serving at AKC in 2001 until December 2002.

They conducted:

  • English conversation classes
  • Worship services
  • Bible study ministry

Mark also initiated an English Bible study guide project based on the Book of Hope.

Meanwhile, Bible studies at Kyoto University eventually developed into what is now known as the Kyodai English Bible Class.

The first university converts:

  • Akiko Yamasaki
  • Akiko Harada

were baptized on September 1, 2002.

Hidetoshi Oda also volunteered in campus ministry and outreach to children while studying at Nara University.

English Ministry Converts (2003–2004)

  • Asako Miyoshi – December 7, 2003
  • Kodai Kitamura – December 7, 2003
  • Yuichi Ohashi – March 21, 2004
  • Kaori Ishihara – May 16, 2004
  • Masayuki Wakimura – May 16, 2004
  • Kentaro Shigemoto – October 17, 2004

The Mills family later returned to Kyoto City in April 2003.

John Paul was baptized on July 27, 2003.

Conserving the Harvest

Another Australian missionary couple, Mark and Paulyn Burgess, served briefly in 2006.

At the same time, the Ricohermoso family moved to Kyoto City to begin ministry work.

Joseph Ricohermoso previously served as Senior Pastor inside a US Navy base ministry in Yokosuka City.

Together with his wife Jo Ann and children Jodie, Josh, and Joyce, they joined the AKC English ministry officially on January 1, 2007.

Pastor Joseph also joined the Kyoto University Bible Class on July 12, 2006.

God Is Able

“To do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…”

— Ephesians 3:20

Ministry Programs

The church has continued to grow through various ministries including:

  • Filipino Service in Tagalog (2010)
  • Lighthouse English Cafe (L.E.C.)
  • Thank Jesus It’s Friday (T.J.I.F.)
  • Born to Be Loved (B.T.B.L.) orphanage ministry

Regular activities include:

  • Worship services
  • Bible studies
  • Fellowship nights
  • English camps
  • BBQ fellowship
  • Retreats
  • Missions Month
  • Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
  • Home meetings

Cooperation

The church has cooperated with many organizations including:

  • Gideons International (Japan)
  • Holy Innocents Episcopal School (USA)
  • International Teams
  • River of God
  • Singapore Bible College (SBC)
  • Teen Challenge
  • Vivaldi Strings
  • Youth With A Mission (YWAM)

Charity & Outreach

The church has participated in relief efforts for:

  • Great East Japan Earthquake & Tsunami (2011)
  • Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines (2013)
  • West Japan Flooding (2018)
  • Sulawesi Earthquake & Tsunami (2018)

Since 2013, the church has also supported Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child by sending Christmas shoebox gifts to children in the Philippines.

Leadership Change

Japanese Congregation

  • Rev. Hisoka Murakami stepped down on March 31, 2015
  • Rev. Satoshi Nagasawa served from April 1, 2015 until June 30, 2017
  • Rev. Katsuhiro Honda served as interim minister in 2017
  • Rev. Keiko Murakami became senior pastor on November 1, 2017
  • Ptr. Wataru Murakami became pastor on August 23, 2020

International Congregation

  • Rev. Joseph & Ptr. Jo Ann Ricohermoso served from 2006–2019
  • Rev. Jake De Guzman served until March 31, 2019
  • Ptr. Hirokatsu Yoshihara served from 2019–2023
  • Ptr. Wataru Murakami has overseen the English ministry since April 2023

Updated on April 13, 2023 in Kyoto City, Japan.