Kikuo Irie

Above all, I believe the most important conviction in church planting is knowing where to lead people. It is not to a building or to any individual, but to the gospel: repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ

Pastor Kikuo Irie’s Testimony

I was born into a farming family in Fukuoka, Japan, surrounded by Buddhist and Shinto traditions. I had never seen a Bible or entered a Protestant church. When my mother died of cancer while I was in sixth grade, a deep emptiness opened in my heart. I tried to fill it with busyness—school, work, friends, and activity—but I still could not say, “I am glad to be alive.”

While I was in university, a Christian classmate and a fellow newspaper delivery friend invited me to church. There, in a small room with only a few folding chairs, I heard about Jesus Christ for the first time. That day, I received Christ as my Savior. The emptiness in my heart was filled, and true joy began to rise within me. (Testimony Cont. Below)

Recent Ministry

We are thankful for the ways God continues to work quietly and personally in Saga. Much of our ministry happens through relationships—conversations after worship, reading groups in the community, personal visits, and simply taking time to listen to people who are carrying questions, grief, or uncertainty. We may not always see immediate results, but we are encouraged by the people who continue returning, asking questions, and becoming more open to hearing God’s Word.

Hearts Opening Through Relationships

One person we are especially praying for is Taro Y, who recently returned to worship after being away for about two months. He has spent most of his adult life working for the same electronics retailer, but after being transferred from the sales floor to a warehouse position, he began struggling with motivation and deeper questions about the meaning and purpose of life. After one worship service, I spent more than an hour talking with him personally, and we prayed together before he left. He returned the following Sunday looking noticeably brighter, and although he is still facing personal struggles, he has been able to arrange Sundays off from work so that he can continue attending worship.

We are also building relationships through the Ayako Miura Reading Group in Saga. Fujio S., a retired high school teacher, has attended several times and has spoken openly about the grief he is experiencing after the death of his longtime pet. I hope to continue listening carefully and share Scripture with him as the opportunity arises. Motoko O. also continues attending the reading group, and we sense that her interest is growing. My wife, Naomi, plans to spend more time talking with her personally and learning more about what is in her heart. These conversations may seem small, but in Saga, relationships often develop gradually, and we are praying that God will use them to draw people to Christ.

Relational Evangelism in Saga

Relational evangelism continues to be one of the most natural and effective ways for us to reach people here. Saga has a relatively small population, and even a simple greeting or short conversation can lead to another encounter later. Over time, those repeated interactions can grow into genuine relationships and opportunities to speak about faith.

We are praying especially that people will become interested in the Bible Reading Group, personal Bible studies, and our worship services. We also hope to reach more young people in Saga and give them opportunities to hear the Gospel and study Scripture. Please pray that the friendships being built by our church members will bear fruit and that God will give us wisdom to recognize when someone is ready for a deeper spiritual conversation.

Preparing for New Outreach Opportunities

We are also looking forward to several upcoming outreach opportunities. A team of nine people from overseas will come to Saga for a short-term mission. Together, we plan to distribute church newsletters door-to-door and near Saga Station, speak with people we meet, and share short Gospel messages. The team will also provide special music during our worship service, followed by a time of fellowship with our church members. We pray that this will encourage our congregation as well as create new opportunities to connect with people in the community.

Another upcoming event is our Kids Fun Festival at Nabeshima Community Center. American missionaries will help with the program, which is designed for local children and their parents. Our prayer is that families who attend will begin seeking the Lord and eventually feel comfortable joining our Family Worship Service on Sundays. We are also continuing to improve the church website so that people searching for information about Christianity or a church in Saga have another way to connect with us.

Caring for Our Church Family

Alongside evangelism, we are grateful for the opportunity to care for the people already connected to our church. Every week after worship, we share a simple lunch and spend time in small groups talking about what encouraged us during the service and praying for one another. These times of fellowship have become an important part of helping people grow together in faith.

Several members are also walking through significant seasons of life. Mr. Osumi, who is 91, recently fell after worship and required hospital treatment, so we are now arranging transportation for him to attend church safely. Mrs. Tanaka, who has been attending for about three years, would like to transfer her membership to our church, and Mrs. Kanayama is moving to Saga after faithfully traveling from Fukuoka each Sunday. We are thankful for each person God has brought into our fellowship and pray that our church will continue becoming a place where people are cared for, strengthened, and encouraged to follow Christ faithfully.

Please Pray With Us

Please pray that God would use the upcoming short-term mission to help many people begin seeking Him; that the Kids Fun Festival would open doors with children and parents; and that the Bible Reading Group and Ayako Miura Reading Group would continue leading people toward Scripture and ultimately toward faith in Christ. Please also pray for our church members as they grow in discipleship, for those who are considering membership, and for wisdom as Naomi and I continue building relationships with people who are exploring the Christian faith.

We are thankful that God continues to work through quiet conversations, repeated encounters, faithful prayer, and relationships that develop over time. Please pray with us that the seeds being planted throughout Saga will grow and that more people will come to know the Lord Jesus Christ.

Past Ministry

Looking Ahead in Saga, Japan

As we look toward the coming month, we are continuing to encourage the members of our church to grow deeper in their relationship with Christ. One of our priorities is helping each person develop a regular habit of reading through the Bible and setting aside time for personal devotion and prayer. We pray that these daily rhythms will strengthen their faith and help them grow spiritually.

We are also looking forward to another gathering of the Saga chapter of the Ayako Miura Book Reading Club at the Saga City Library. This group has been meeting for an incredible 26 years, providing continued opportunities for fellowship and meaningful conversations.

In addition, we are preparing to welcome a short-term mission team from Korea. The team will join us in evangelistic outreach throughout Saga, and we are praying that God will use this special time to introduce many people to the hope of the gospel.

Reaching Our Community

We are grateful that we have acquired land for a future church building. There is still much preparation ahead before construction can begin, and we are also praying for the opportunity to acquire additional land that will be needed for the project.

During this season, we especially want to focus on reaching people in our community who do not yet know Christ. Each Sunday, we plan to conduct evangelistic outreach near Saga Station.

Please pray that God will lead us to people who are searching for truth and that these conversations will open doors for them to learn more about Him and the gospel.

Prayer Requests

• That our church members will grow spiritually and develop consistent habits of Bible reading, personal devotion, and prayer.
• That God will guide our outreach near Saga Station and help us connect with people who are seeking Him.
• That many people will come to faith in Christ through the upcoming short-term mission outreach with the team from Korea.
• That God will provide the additional land needed for the future church building and guide us through each step of the planning process.

We are thankful for your prayers as we continue sharing the gospel and preparing for the future of the ministry here in Saga.

Past Ministry

This month, we were grateful to welcome ten visitors to our church, including prospective missionaries from the United States and ministry guests from Korea. We are also continuing to build relationships with several people in our community who are open to the Gospel. Although no one is currently attending our introductory Bible class, we are praying for opportunities to invite these individuals to study God’s Word. Following the recent Korean church short-term mission, we plan to continue meeting with those who participated and to offer a five-session introductory Bible study to anyone interested. We also hope to train church members to help lead these studies and disciple those who are seeking Christ.

We are preparing to begin a four-week English conversation outreach led by an American missionary couple. Through these classes, we pray that meaningful friendships will be formed and that many people in Saga City will have opportunities to hear the Gospel. Our congregation continues to grow through weekly Scripture discussions after Sunday worship and our Wednesday prayer meetings. We are also working to equip our members for relational evangelism so that we may faithfully share Christ through both our words and our lives.

We are thankful that last year we were able to sign a purchase agreement for an affordable piece of land in Saga City. We are now praying for the necessary city approval, the successful transfer of the land registration, and God’s provision for the future construction of a church building.

Prayer Requests

• Please pray that those who are open to the Gospel will begin studying the Bible and come to faith in Christ.
• Please pray for fruitful follow-up after the Korean church’s short-term mission and for lasting relationships to be formed.
• Please pray that the English conversation outreach will create meaningful friendships and opportunities to share the Gospel.
• Please pray for the spiritual growth of our congregation and for us to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
• Please pray for wisdom and guidance as I prepare sermons, develop ministry plans, and train church members to serve.
• Please pray for approval, provision, and guidance concerning the land and our future church building.

Past Ministry

Last month, Saga Bible Church welcomed one first-time visitor from another church. While there are currently no seekers enrolled in the introductory Bible class, several people in the community have shown positive interest in the gospel, including M.I., Mr. F., F.S., F.E., and K.N. Please pray that each of these individuals would be drawn into deeper study of God’s Word and come to know Christ personally.

We are also preparing for several upcoming outreach opportunities. Next month, a short-term mission team from a Korean church will join us for gospel concerts and outreach events, and we are currently working on schedules and flyers. This month, an American missionary couple will begin two new ministries: a weekly English conversation outreach on Wednesday mornings and an every-other-week English Bible study after Sunday worship. Our hope is that these ministries will help build meaningful friendships in the Saga community and open doors for the gospel.

Prayer Requests

• Please continue to pray for Pastor Irie, his wife, and his 96-year-old mother-in-law as they serve together in the church planting ministry in Saga.
• Pray for wisdom in sermon preparation, fruitful ministry planning, pastoral care, and the spiritual growth of the church family.
• Please also pray for God’s provision and guidance regarding a future church building project. Last year, the church purchased an inexpensive piece of land in Saga City.

Testimony Cont.

God spoke to me through Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Though I was weak and timid, I came to know that the God who created the universe was with me. From my heart, I could finally say, “I am glad to be alive.”

Years later, in 2021, I was asked to consider pioneering ministry in Saga. As I prayed, God gave me Mark 8:34: “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.” I understood that this calling was not about comfort or security, but about following Christ. Though I was 66 years old, with no acquaintances in Saga and many uncertainties, the Lord confirmed His will through Matthew 7:13: “Enter through the narrow gate.”

Now I serve in Saga because I believe Christ is building His church here. Above all, I believe the most important conviction in church planting is knowing where to lead people. It is not to a building or to any individual, but to the gospel: repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ. The Lord has never abandoned me, and I trust Him to show His glory in Saga.