An Introduction to Nagano Christian Reformed Church

Nagano Christian Reformed Church belongs to the Reformed Church of Japan. In 1981 evangelism was begun in the Nagano area and in 1988 a church building was built. This church was an evangelistic work of the Tobu area (a region of Japan) presbytery (group of churches).

The Reformed Church of Japan was established in 1946. Although there had been reformed and presbyterian churches before, during World War 2 the Japanese government forced all protestant denominations to join into one church. After the war,when religious freedom came, people who wanted to establish a more pure reformed and presbyterian church formed the Reformed Church of Japan.

Our denomination's theology and church order are greatly influenced by the reformed and presbyterian churches of The Netherlands, Scotland,and North America. Our denominational standards are the Westminister Standards and in addition the Geneva Catechism and the Heidelberg Catechism guide us. We also inherit various other confessions and theology in the reformed tradition. We have ourselves written denominational statements about the Bible, the Holy Spirit, predestination, missions, church and state, and more.

In Nagano Ken (prefecture, state) and neighboring Yamanashi Ken there are four reformed congregations. Three of them were begun by the Christian Reformed Church of North America. These churches are planting gospel seed in Japan's non-Christian soil. Please pray for our small group of four churches.

And if you are in Japan and have the opportunity, please be sure to visit us.

We look forward to welcoming you.