Lecture Information:

 

 

 

The earth shook from side to side for more than four minutes. People took cover by hiding under tables, standing in doorways, or running outside. None of us knew it at the time, but this earthquake on March 11, 2011, in Sendai, Japan, was to fundamentally alter our lives. The church in Japan mobilized, and my work place quickly became a relief center to reach out to survivors who had lost everything to the tsunami. The resultant nuclear disaster in Fukushima has left an element of dread in the air, even to this day.

 

This will be a very personal story. But I want to take the opportunity to reflect upon "God's Mission" in this world, and how we, the church, can be a part of that. I will use pictures, tell stories, but most importantly, I hope to stand before you, the audience, as a living reminder of the ties that run deep with the people of Japan. For mission after all is all about relationships and the ties that bind us in Christ!
~Rev. Jeffrey Mensendiek 

Jeffrey has worked for the Common Global Ministries Board (a common witness of the United Church of Christ, and the Disciples of Christ) for the past 22 years in Sendai, Japan. He has been working in the area of youth ministries. He is here in Lancaster with his family for one year on home assignment. In August, Jeffrey will be returning to Japan for another four year term with CGMB.

 

 

If you would like to listen to Rev. Mensendiek's lecture, please click here.